The Shop Move – Core 4x4 Expands Into a New Manufacturing Facility
After years of being crammed into their existing warehouse, Core 4x4 finally got the space they needed. A shop opened up right across the lot, and the team jumped on the opportunity. Moving a machine shop is not like moving an office — it involves rigging companies, electricians, CNC technicians, and a few days of downtime that no manufacturing company wants. Here is what it took.
The Equipment That Had to Move
Core 4x4 runs serious CNC equipment — not the kind of machines you can roll across a parking lot on a dolly. Here is what had to be relocated:
- Haas ST-20: The smallest of the three CNC lathes, handling OD/ID turning, threading, crush sleeves, spacers, and simple parts. The everyday workhorse of the shop
- Doosan DNM 4500: A vertical mill used for flat plate milling and welding jig fabrication. Only about a year old at the time of the move and one of the newer additions
- Haas ST-30Y: The first piece of CNC equipment Core 4x4 ever purchased. Handles OD/ID threading and track bar milling. Carries sentimental value as the machine that started the CNC era for the company
- Doosan Lynx 2500/1250: A dual-spindle machine that handles all high-tolerance work and complicated parts like Ram upper front control arms and adjuster sleeves. The most capable and most expensive machine in the shop
The Three-Day Move
Moving CNC machines is a multi-step process that requires specialists at every stage:
- Day 1: Rigging. A rigging company came in to disconnect, lift, transport, and place each machine in the new building. These machines weigh thousands of pounds and require specialized equipment to move safely
- Day 2: Electrical. Electricians wired up the new space — running power and air lines to each machine location. One mishap: the electrical crew accidentally hit a sprinkler head over the Doosan Lynx, the most critical machine in the shop. The water was cleaned up and everything dried out, but it caused some electronics issues on the bar feeder
- Day 3: Setup and calibration. CNC technicians leveled every machine, checked rotation, and ran through calibration procedures to make sure everything was cutting to spec before production resumed
Total downtime target: two to four days. In a manufacturing company where every day of downtime means orders waiting, that is as fast as it gets.
More Than Just Machines
Beyond the CNC equipment, the move involved all the supporting infrastructure that keeps a machine shop running:
- Toolboxes had to be cleaned out, reorganized, and relocated. Drill bits, inserts, fixtures, and clutter accumulated over years all had to be sorted
- Material storage — raw steel, bolts, and hardware — was brought over and reorganized for a more efficient layout
- The shipping area was redesigned so that parts, packaging, and shipping supplies would be closer together, reducing travel time and improving workflow
This is the part of a shop move that takes longer than the machines themselves. Getting back to production is one thing; getting back to efficient production takes longer.
Why the Move Matters
Core 4x4 had been running at capacity for years. Every new product, every new vehicle platform, and every increase in order volume pushed the limits of their existing space. The new facility across the lot gave them the room to:
- Spread out the CNC machines for better workflow and operator access
- Add capacity for future equipment purchases
- Create a dedicated material processing area separate from machining
- Reorganize shipping and inventory for faster fulfillment
Back to Making Parts
By day three, the machines were placed, leveled, and wired up. Production resumed with powder coating and parts machining running simultaneously. The goal was simple: get back to making the parts customers rely on with as little disruption as possible.
For a company that manufactures everything in-house, a shop move is one of the most stressful events imaginable. But the additional space and improved layout make it worth every headache. Core 4x4 came out of the move with more capacity, better efficiency, and room to grow.
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Core 4x4 — American-made adjustable control arms, track bars, and steering components. Everything manufactured in-house, backed by a lifetime guarantee. core4x4.com | (385) 375-2104
