To produce packaging is a very simple matter. In addition, the organization of the entire technological process will not require serious investments from the entrepreneur. That is why a novice businessman should pay attention to the production of pallets, or pallets. This is a transport container of a flat shape made of metal, plastic or wood. It is intended for storage, as well as for moving goods using mechanical means.
The production of pallets is a very promising business. This is due to the demand for these products in the market, where, due to their high cost, there are no imported analogues. In addition, it attracts novice entrepreneurs and the relatively small capital that will be needed to purchase equipment for the production of pallets.
The target audience
The production of pallets as a business is a very promising option. This product will certainly be of interest to those organizations that use storage facilities in the process of carrying out their business activities. Among the potential customers, there are several main groups, these are:
- manufacturing enterprises;
- shopping centers and supermarkets;
- logistics companies;
- agro-industrial enterprises.
Planning
At the first stage of the implementation of your idea, you will need to draw up a business plan, which will detail the production of pallets from scratch. This document should take into account the main features of the production of these products. Domestic companies manufacturing pallets, adhering to the recommendations of GOST 9557-87, produce "Euro pallets". These products comply with all existing European standards and are very competitive in the market.
At the planning stage, you will need to determine how the process will be established. In order to produce high-quality pallets, it is worth giving preference to automated lines that will allow to produce products in accordance with the requirements of GOST.
When planning a future business, you will also need to find out the main distribution channels, while securing agreements with enterprises. An important stage preceding the opening of your own business will be the study of likely competitors. Only after that it will be possible to make such an offer to its customers that will become most beneficial for them.
registration
To draw up and sign long-term contracts for the wholesale supply of products, your company must have an official status. In this case, it is impossible to do without registration of IP, OJSC or LLC. This should also be taken into account when drawing up a business plan.
Equipment purchase
The production of pallets as a business should begin with the acquisition of a machine or line. They can be both new and used. And do not immediately abandon the second option. Used equipment for the production of pallets can be in good condition and bring good returns with little investment.
Today on the market there are many offers for entrepreneurs starting their own business. The price of lines and machines on which the production of wooden pallets will be carried out differs depending on the year of their production and the timing of use. Some offers date back even to 1980. However, if the machine underwent all major repairs on time and is in good condition today, it is advisable to purchase it as equipment for the production of pallets. The price of equipment produced in subsequent decades is much higher, which is disadvantageous in the early stages of establishing a business.
The entrepreneur must also determine the volume of his business. Prioritization will depend on this, which will allow you to choose the type of equipment you need.
Technological process
The production of pallets is not particularly difficult. To produce these products, you will need a room, tools, equipment and raw materials. The main stages of the process include:
- sawing blanks on a board and on bosses;
- cutting board;
- trimming of lobes;
- direct assembly of the product.
These simple works are within the power of every employee who has elementary skills in using a circular saw, drill and screwdriver. Collected pallets are not processed further - they are not primed or painted. Finished products are simply stockpiled pending sales.
Raw materials used
The production of pallets will require wood, the percentage of moisture in which does not exceed 18-20%. Raw forest will cost less. From it it will also be possible to make blanks, and after that - to collect pallets. It is only worth bearing in mind that with this option, drying will be required for the finished product. And for this you will need a special room and additional financial resources to heat it.
That is why the most profitable is the purchase of raw materials already brought to the necessary state. In order to slightly reduce the cost of timber, it makes sense to conclude agreements with the lumber producers themselves, bypassing the services of intermediaries. This will ensure a profitable purchase of raw materials of good quality. The cost of transportation will be reduced by the placement of a room for the production of pallets in close proximity to wood sources.
The raw materials for the manufacture of pallets are boards of the second and third grades or bars. Checkers consisting of glued sawdust are also suitable. Boards can be used both semi-edged and unedged. Bars for pallets are taken whole, but their cost is twice as much as the option of glued sawdust. All current requirements for lumber contains GOST 9557-87.
Nails are also necessary for the production of pallets. They fasten all the prepared parts.
If the production of pallets is adjusted in small quantities, then the products can be produced manually without renting a special room, as well as buying equipment. However, with well-established sales in decent volumes, you will need to equip the workshop.
Manual assembly of pallets
This method of pallet production will require the purchase of a special table. It is equipped with limiters in length and width, which allow you to set the required size of the pallet. Before starting work, the table is set horizontally. Cones are laid out in its special grooves, and on them are boards for the bottom and top. Then one or two workers fasten the workpiece with nails on both sides. To do this, use a conventional or pneumatic hammer.
Often at sawmills, pallets are knocked down manually without tables, using production waste. Of course, this option requires low costs, but it is impossible to produce a competitive product. Pallets will turn out cheap, but low-quality and in scanty quantities.
A special table allows you to significantly speed up the process. It will not take up much space, but at the same time it will allow you to control the parameters of the product and the correctness of its angles. In addition, the employee is exempt from operations such as measurements and control of squareness. This allows you to produce up to two hundred products in one shift.
Semi-automatic line
Using more productive equipment, you can significantly increase the number of manufactured products. For this, a semi-automatic line for the production of pallets can be purchased.
It releases one and a half pallets within one minute and is served by two operators. It also requires one forklift driver to operate . Such equipment will require a special room, as its length is 6 meters, its width is 2 meters, and its height is 3 meters. The minimum cost of a semi-automatic line is within five million rubles. Similar equipment manufactured in Europe is capable of producing large volumes of finished products. In addition, it is quite a long time without major repairs. However, the main obstacle to the acquisition of such a line may be its price, which starts at ten million rubles.
Automatic equipment
If you have an impressive amount of start-up capital (up to 10 million rubles), you can think about acquiring the most productive line. Automatic machines are capable of producing up to 650 pallets in one minute. Products manufactured in this way are of high quality. Automated lines assembled in Europe will be able to work without service for ten years. To service them, five to six operators and two to three loader drivers will be required.
Production profitability
The profitability of the pallet manufacturing business will directly depend on the cost of raw materials and the volume of output. The more pallets are produced during one shift, the faster the investment will pay off.
With proper organization, this business is one of the most profitable. Its payback is an average of two to three years, because pallets are in constant demand, and it takes a little time and labor to produce them.
Pallets made of plastic
Recently, the production of plastic pallets is gaining momentum. This is due to new conditions that dictate current interstate economic ties. Plastic pallets are especially popular with both manufacturers and carriers, as they increase the safety of transporting goods over long distances.
Manually, of course, such a product is impossible to produce. A novice entrepreneur will have to purchase special equipment, having previously decided how this product will be manufactured.
Plastic pallets can be made by injection molding. Products are obtained after pressing with high pressure of special raw materials in molds.
Another way to make plastic pallets is rotary. In this case, the plastic powder solidifies in a rotary form in the furnace. There is another way - injection molding.
It is worth mentioning that the reliability of plastic pallets depends on the method of their manufacture. A significant role in this is played by the equipment used.
Recently, shower trays (manufactured in Russia) are very popular. Custom-made on special equipment, they can take various forms.
That is why as an idea for business, you can consider the production of shower trays. Today, these products made of acrylic are very popular in the consumer market. Such pallets are optimal by many criteria, which is why they have received favorable reviews from customers. Acrylic products are low cost, easy to install and convenient to use. Attracts buyers and the diverse design of such products. Given the high consumer demand, we can count on the high profitability of the business, which will soon begin to bring tangible income.