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Start a Business in Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labour to produce goods for use or sale. It's different from running a shop, office, or service business. Before starting your manufacturing business, you should consider the location (Step 20 KING OF YOUR CASTLE One Step At A Time) and marketing (Step 24 KING OF YOUR CASTLE One Step At A Time). Running a manufacturing business needs technical knowledge and diverse skills to move ahead of the pack. Bear in mind that there is usually a substantial startup cost involved in setting up a manufacturing factory. It's absolutely crucial to budget and take care of your overhead expenses to produce a profit. Ideas for a manufacturing business:

• Design and make a selection of fancy dog collars and coats
  Items like these can be made from a variety of materials. Produce a range of sizes for different breeds of dog and package in cellophane bags. Sell through pet shops, department stores and mail order advertising.
• Design a range of comfy beds for pets
  Come up with something new to catch the attention of pet owners. Start off by selling your creations at craft fairs and mail order and through pet stores when firmly established.
• Use wood logs to make rustic bird tables, bird boxes and feeders
  Check out the designs already on the market and make yours different and better. . Set up a small production line to build up enough stock to establish an eye-catching display at garden centres.
• Make fibreglass models for commercial use
  These models are ideal to use as giant props to create brand awareness and to advertise a business. For example, a large ice-cream cone could be used alongside the company sign of an ice-cream shop or manufacturer. Or how about a large pizza to represent a pizza take-away. The possibilities are numerous. Write a business plan first and do some market research by canvassing commercial and industrial outlets.
• Design and make unisex bath robes
  Design full length bath robes with a stylish machine embroidered motif. Contact all hotels to see if they want to have their logo machine embroidered onto the garment, to sell to guests. Or sell online in sizes XS to XXXL (made on order only). Towelling is a good choice for fabric, in black and white.
• Design and manufacture work overalls
  You should have enough knowledge about the clothing industry to know what equipment is required to set up a small production line in turning out overalls as required by different businesses. Be preparred to undertake custom designs to accommodate corporate colour combinations, machine embroidery, and sewn-on business logos or identity tags. Start by canvassing local businesses such as security firms, cleaning services, delivery services, and garden cleaning teams. You will need to take on extra staff and purchase more machinery as the business expands.
• Design, make and sell aprons in various styles
  Think cookery aprons, woodworking aprons, waitress aprons, gardening aprons and barbeque aprons. Designs can be themed (machine appliqued), frilly, humorous or practical. Explore your creativity; design classic floral patterned women's aprons, waist aprons, bistro aprons, bib aprons, and cobbler aprons. Products could be sold through various shops or direct to businesses such as hotels and restaraunts who require these items of clothing. An apron is also effective as a branded staff 'uniform' in businesses such as a gardening centre, hair salon, and tea room.
• Start a business manufacturing concrete slabs for gardens
  This is a great business for someone with plenty of energy; it can be started part-time, at little cost, and quickly develop into a lucrative full-time business. To get started you'll need a few moulds and some raw materials for mixing and casting. Embed small decorative ceramic tiles in the concrete or make impressions in the concrete by pressing large overhapping leaves into the concrete (to be removed when set) to create unusual slabs. You'll need to work in an area where you will not be disturbed; it's also quite messy work. Make square, rectangle and round slabs. Sell your finished products direct to the public; distribute some printed leaflets in your neighourhood. Develop the business to reach a regular high volume of concrete slabs and sell in bulk to building and gardening supply outlets.