The packing machine is still warm, forty bags of sachet water are stacked by the door, and the landlord at the new site wants the keys back by Friday. A water factory or drinks depot is one of the heaviest businesses to move, and the owners who treat it like a normal shop usually lose a day to wet floors, burst bags and a truck that is full by weight long before it is full by space.
This guide covers a pure water factory, a bottled water or soft drinks depot, and a store that holds a lot of crates.
Water is heavy, so plan by weight
A bag of sachet water looks harmless. Stack a hundred of them and you have a serious load. Crates of bottled drinks are the same, and a pallet of full bottles is among the densest things a truck can carry.
That means two things for the move:
- A truck will often be at its weight limit with floor space still free. Follow the capacity listed for the vehicle and do not argue with the driver about it.
- You will usually need more than one trip for a full depot, so plan the trips instead of squeezing everything onto one.
Count what you have before you ask for offers: number of bags, number of crates, number of pallets, and how many are empty.
Move the empties first
Empty crates, empty bottles and unused packing film are bulky and light. They are the best first trip because they fill a truck by space and cost little in weight. Wash and stack them at the old site, tie the stacks and load them first so the new site starts to look like a depot even before the stock arrives.
Full stock goes last, and ideally goes straight into storage at the new site on the day it is offloaded.
The machines
A sachet filling and sealing machine, a water treatment unit, a generator, tanks and a cooling room are all separate jobs.
- Ask your technician to disconnect the machines. Do not let the loading crew pull pipes and cables.
- Drain every line and tank so no water sloshes inside during the trip.
- Photograph the wiring, pipe runs and control panels before anything is unplugged.
- Label every hose and cable end with tape and a number.
- Take off belts, covers and loose parts, and bag them with a label.
Heavy machines should be strapped to a pallet or a board so they can be lifted as one piece. Keep them upright. Ask the technician how each unit should be carried, and follow the manufacturer's guidance for anything with a compressor or a motor.
Tanks and treatment equipment are covered in more detail in our guide to moving a borehole pump, water tank and plumbing fittings.
Floors, wet stock and slips
Water businesses have wet floors, and a wet floor plus heavy bags is how people get hurt. Before loading:
- Mop and dry the loading area and the route to the truck.
- Put boards or pallets on any soft or muddy ground where the truck will stand.
- Do not stack pallets higher than the crew can reach and tie safely.
- Keep the driver away from any area where the crew is carrying bags.
At the drop-off, check the floor of the new store before the first pallet comes down. A weak or uneven floor should be sorted before you stack a tonne of water on it.
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Loading order and securing
Heavy pallets go low and close to the cab. Bags are stacked in tight rows with the seams facing in so a sharp corner cannot pierce them. Crates can go on top, in columns that lock together. Fill any gap with empty crates rather than leaving it open.
Cover the load, tie it at two heights and re-check the straps after the first few minutes on the road. Our guide on securing a load with straps, ropes and tarpaulins explains the knots and the checks.
Keep customers supplied during the move
A depot has regular buyers and a move route. If you can, stagger the move:
- Keep enough stock at the old site to cover a day or two of sales.
- Move the machines on a quiet day and restart production at the new site.
- Move the remaining stock when the new store is ready.
Tell your regular customers the new address and when you will reopen. For related planning, see moving a shop overnight in Lagos.
How to do this on Sphere
Open the app and choose a truck for the machines and full stock, and a pickup van for the lighter trips such as empties. Add the pickup and drop-off, then describe the load plainly: "about 300 bags of sachet water, 40 crates of bottled drinks, one sealing machine on a pallet". Mention any slope, soft ground or narrow gate. Propose a price, and nearby verified drivers will accept it or send counter-offers. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer.
You can also read about truck hire in Lagos and business moves in Lagos.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pickup van carry a full load of sachet water?
A pickup van has a lower weight limit than a truck, and water uses it up fast. It suits empties and a few pallets. A full factory stock usually needs a truck or several trips.
Should I drain the machines before moving them?
Yes. Drain every line and tank so water does not move around inside the equipment. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for any part with a motor or compressor.
How do I stop bags of water from bursting?
Stack them in tight rows on pallets, keep sharp edges away and do not stack higher than the crew can tie down. Fill gaps with empty crates.
Can I keep selling during the move?
Often yes, if you keep a small stock at the old site and move the rest in stages. Tell your regular buyers the new address before you close.
Who should disconnect the machines?
Your own technician. Loading crews are good at lifting but should not pull wiring or pipes from production equipment.
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Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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