Summary
A cross-border project of more than two years to disconnect, move and install complete production lines. We tore down and tagged the equipment in Morristown, Tennessee, and reinstalled it at ABB's plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, without breaking the customer's operating continuity.
The problem
This job demanded binational coordination on both the logistics and the technical side. The goal was to move an extensive manufacturing inventory from ABB's plant in Morristown, TN to its new facility in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila. The difficulty was in the count and the tonnage — a long list of presses, assembly cells and machining centers, headed by a 500-ton Danly and a 600-ton Rovetta — all of which needed electromechanical disconnection done exactly, rigorous tagging so nothing got mis-assembled later, and reinstallation held to tight tolerances. Running a move of that size under control called for a contractor who could manage multiple phases, protect the machinery and keep downtime to a minimum across 2020–2022.
What MECSOL did
Working alongside International Rigging Company Inc and AMISA Group, MECSOL put its specialized crew on the job. It started at the origin: we sent three qualified technicians to the Tennessee facility for three intensive rotations. There they carried out the safe electromechanical disconnection and methodical tagging of every component, so each piece was ready to go back together in Mexico.
Once the heavy equipment landed in Ramos Arizpe, we handled unloading, positioning and full installation of the inventory. We applied our millwrighting practice for rigging and precision leveling, moving ABB's high-value assets under strict industrial safety rules and setting them up to take their final power and fluid hook-ups.
Scope executed
- Project duration: structured execution across more than two years (August 2020 to November 2022).
- U.S. work: electromechanical disconnection and tagging in Morristown, TN (3 MECSOL technicians, 3 separate mobilizations to site).
- Major presses: 500-ton Danly Q.D.C. (S2-500) and 600-ton Rovetta (S2-600) — impact tonnage verified on the nameplate — unloaded, positioned and leveled on their foundations.
- Rest of the stamping line: Verson and Clearing lines, Bliss #9, Flex-O-Press equipment and Niagara presses (including a 200-ton Willett).
- Cells and lines: positioning and assembly of the Genesis Loadcenter line, 6/8/12-circuit cells, Rovetta Endwall Welder and Rovetta Tox Machine.
- Precision machinery: installation of Monarch lathes, Bridgeport mills, wire EDM machines, WET automatic grinders, heat treatment furnaces and industrial saws.
- Lifting infrastructure: installation of Tramrail systems and two 3-ton cranes to support the line.
Result
ABB's Ramos Arizpe plant brought its new operating infrastructure online through multiple documented phases. The heavy equipment and assembly cells ended up installed, plumbed and leveled to spec, ready for commissioning. By using one expert contractor for tagging at the origin and installation at the destination, the customer took the fragmentation risk off the table and got a safe, efficient transition with no damage to the assets.
Division and related services
- Division: Millwright Services
- Related services: electromechanical disconnection and tagging, heavy machinery unloading, precision leveling and alignment, press installation, cross-border relocation (rigging & millwright).
Got a cross-border relocation, or heavy machinery to install? Talk to our project managers and protect your operating continuity.
