When production changes, the machinery on your factory floor often needs to change with it. A manufacturing site may be reducing capacity, replacing an ageing production line or preparing for closure. Removing the equipment is rarely a matter of simply disconnecting it. Heavy machines, foundations, electrical systems and production infrastructure all need to be considered.
SSMI supports machinery manufacturers and engineering companies across Europe with industrial downscaling, factory decommissioning and technical dismantling. We also assess surplus machinery for resale, helping equipment find a new use where its condition and market demand allow.
As part of Gerritsen Group, we have access to the technical resources and operational capacity needed for complex industrial projects.
Factory downscaling without losing control of the site
Removing machinery from an operating factory requires careful coordination. Electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic connections must be identified and safely isolated. Heavy equipment may need to be moved through restricted access routes or lifted from areas where other machines remain in service. Foundations, floor loading and surrounding infrastructure can also affect the removal method.
SSMI prepares dismantling work around the conditions of each site. We coordinate with the facility operator to establish the scope, safe working areas, removal sequence and lifting requirements. Where production continues, the work must be planned to limit disruption to the remaining operations. Where a factory is closing, the focus shifts towards efficient removal, equipment recovery and preparing the site for its next use.
The strength of Gerritsen Group
SSMI is part of Gerritsen Group, alongside Speedrite and Numan Transport. This gives us access to a wider range of specialist capabilities, equipment and project resources. Teams can be scaled to match the requirements of the work, from individual machinery removals to larger industrial dismantling projects.
Technical dismantling, equipment handling and transport can be coordinated within the wider group structure. Our experience across Europe and access to local knowledge also help us prepare projects in different industrial environments. The result is a coordinated approach, with the flexibility to respond as the project develops.
Proven Experience with Complex Industrial Machinery
Industrial dismantling demands practical knowledge of the equipment being removed. Our wider group has experience working with large production lines, CNC machinery and heavy industrial installations. A relevant example is the dismantling of a metal processing factory in Germany, carried out by Gerritsen Group. The site manufactured seamless high-pressure tubes and contained extensive production equipment. The project included:
12 complete production lines
20 CNC lathes
18 industrial furnaces
Approximately 10,000 tonnes of material removed
The work was completed over a period of around six months. High-value CNC machines were also sold to buyers internationally. The project demonstrates the technical planning, equipment handling and asset recovery capabilities available within Gerritsen Group. For SSMI clients, that experience is particularly relevant when a factory contains large machinery, interconnected production systems and equipment with resale potential.
Manufacturing facilities contain a wide range of machines, often installed as part of a larger production system. Removing them requires an understanding of how they operate, how they are connected and what is needed to move them safely. Depending on the facility and project scope, this may involve CNC lathes, machining centres, milling machines, industrial presses, fabrication equipment, robotic cells, conveyors and complete production lines.
Larger installations may also include hydraulic systems, control cabinets, extraction systems, compressed air networks and other supporting equipment. We assess the practical requirements before removal begins, including machine dimensions, weight, access, lifting arrangements and connections to surrounding installations. For machinery intended for resale, we also consider how it should be dismantled and handled to preserve its condition and associated components.
Surplus machinery still has value
A machine may no longer fit your production plans but still have years of useful service ahead of it. SSMI helps industrial companies assess surplus equipment and identify suitable routes for resale, reuse or material recovery. This can involve individual machines, groups of assets or complete production lines. Depending on the equipment and market demand, sales may be arranged directly or through industrial auctions.
Technical specifications, condition, maintenance history and available documentation all influence resale potential. By considering these factors before dismantling, we can plan equipment removal around the intended next use. For factory owners, this creates an opportunity to recover value from redundant machinery. For buyers, it provides access to used industrial equipment from existing production facilities.
If you are reducing production capacity, replacing machinery or preparing a factory for closure, speak directly to our industrial projects team.
For surplus machinery and equipment sales, our commercial team can help you explore the available options.
Speak directly to our team
Planning to remove machinery from a production site? Or looking to sell equipment that is no longer needed? Our commercial team can help you assess the next steps.
Andrej Pieterson
Managing Director
Denis Timofeev
Lead Commercial Engineer
Practical questions about machinery dismantling
Can industrial machinery be removed while the factory remains operational?
Yes, provided the equipment can be safely isolated and the work can be separated from ongoing production. Access routes, shared services, lifting operations and site safety requirements must be assessed before dismantling begins.
Can SSMI handle complete production lines?
Yes. SSMI supports the dismantling and removal of individual machines, complete production lines and larger industrial installations. The scope and removal method depend on the equipment and site conditions.
What happens to machinery after removal?
Surplus equipment is assessed for potential resale, reuse or material recovery. Its condition, technical specifications, documentation and market demand help determine the most suitable route.
Can dismantling and machinery resale be coordinated within one project?
Yes. SSMI can assess equipment for resale during project planning, allowing the dismantling method to take account of its potential next use.
