Pallet production as a business

Issue a package - it's very simple. In addition, the organization of the entire technological process does not require the entrepreneur to make serious investments. That's why a beginning businessman should pay attention to the production of pallets, or pallets. This is a transport container of flat shape, made of metal, plastic or wood. It is designed for storage, as well as for moving goods using mechanical means.

Pallet production is a very promising business. This is due to the demand for these products on the market, where, due to their high cost, there are no imported analogues. In addition, it attracts start-ups and relatively small capital, which will be needed to purchase equipment for the production of pallets.

The target audience

Pallet production as a business is a very promising option. This product is sure to be of interest to those organizations that use storage facilities in the course of their economic activities. Among the potential customers, there are several main groups, this is:

• Production enterprises;
• Shopping centers and supermarkets;
• Logistics companies;
• Agro-industrial enterprises.

Planning

At the first stage of realization of the idea conceived by you it will be required to draw up a business plan, in which the production of pallets from scratch will be detailed. This document should take into account the main features of the production of these products. Domestic companies that produce pallets, adhering to the recommendations of GOST 9557-87, produce "Euro-pallets". This product meets all existing European standards and is very competitive in the market.
At the planning stage, you will need to determine how the process will be adjusted. In order to produce quality pallets, it is worth giving preference to automated lines that will allow the production of products in accordance with the requirements of GOST.

When planning a future business, you will also need to find out the main sales channels, while securing agreements with enterprises. An important stage, preceding the opening of one's own business, is the study of probable competitors. Only after that it will be possible to make to the clients such an offer, which will become for them the most profitable.

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To compose 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 the registration of IP, JSC or LLC. This should also be taken into account when drafting a business plan.

Purchase of equipment

The production of pallets as a business must 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 have a decent condition and bring good profits with small capital investments.

For today in the market there is a set of offers for beginning own business of businessmen. The price of lines and machine tools on which the production of wooden pallets will be carried out differs depending on the year of their production and the terms of use. Some proposals date back to 1980. However, if the machine has undergone 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 unprofitable in the early stages of business formation.

The entrepreneur also needs to determine the scope of his business. From this will depend on the prioritization, which will allow you to select the type of equipment you need.

Technological process

The production of pallets is not particularly difficult. For the production of this product will require a room, tools, equipment and raw materials. The main stages of the technological process include:

• Sawing pieces on the board and on the boss;
• Trimming the board;
• Trimming of bosses;
• Direct assembly of the product.

These simple works are within the power of every employee who has elementary skills of using a circular saw, drill and screwdriver. Collected pallets are not processed further - they are not primed and not painted. Finished products are simply stored in anticipation of sale.

Used raw materials

For the production of pallets, wood is required, the moisture content in which does not exceed 18-20%. Cheaper wood will be cheaper. From it also it will be possible to make preparations, and after - to collect pallets. Just keep in mind that with this option, drying is required already finished product. And for this you will need a special room and additional financial means for its heating.

That is why the most profitable is the purchase of raw materials already brought to the necessary condition. In order to somewhat reduce the cost of wood, it makes sense to conclude contracts with the producers of lumber themselves, bypassing the services of intermediaries. This will ensure an advantageous acquisition of raw materials of good quality. Reduce transportation costs will allow the placement of a room for the production of pallets in close proximity to the sources of wood.

The raw material for the production of pallets is considered to be boards of the second and third grades or bars. Suitable also checkers, consisting of glued sawdust. The boards can be used as half-finished or unedged. Bar blocks for pallets take whole, but their cost is twice the option of glued sawdust. All the existing requirements for sawn timber contain GOST 9557-87.

Nails are also necessary for the production of pallets. They hold together all the prepared details.

If the production of pallets is set in small quantities, then the products can be produced manually without renting a special room, as well as buying equipment. However, with an established sales in a decent volume will need to equip the shop.

Manual pallet assembly

This method of production of pallets will require the purchase of a special table. It is equipped with stops in length and width, which allow you to set the desired size of the pallet. Before you start, the table is set horizontally. In his special grooves are laid cones, and on them - boards for the bottom and top. Then one or two workers fasten the workpiece with nails from two sides. To do this, use a conventional or pneumatic hammer.

Often in 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 are cheap, but substandard and in meager quantities.

Special table allows you to significantly speed up the technological process. It does not take much space, but it will allow you to control the parameters of the product and the correctness of its angles. In addition, the employee is exempted from such operations as measurement and control of rectangularity. This allows you to produce up to two hundred products in one shift.

Semiautomatic 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 pallet for one minute and is serviced by two operators. For its work, one driver of a forklift truck is also required. Such equipment will require a special room, since its length is 6 meters, width - 2 meters, and height - 3 meters. The minimum cost of a semi-automatic line is within five million rubles. Such equipment produced in Europe is capable of producing large volumes of finished products. In addition, it lasts long enough without major repairs. However, the main obstacle to the acquisition of such a line may be its price, which starts from ten million rubles.

Automatic equipment

If there is an impressive amount of starting capital (up to 10 million rubles.), You can think about purchasing the most productive line. Automatic machines are capable of producing up to 650 pallets within one minute. The products produced in this way are of high quality. Automatic lines assembled in Europe will be able to operate without service for ten years. They will require five or six operators and two or three truck drivers.

Profitability of production

The profitability of the business of making pallets will depend directly on the cost of raw materials and the volume of output. The more pallets produced within a single shift, the faster the invested financial resources will pay off.

With proper organization, this business is one of the most profitable. Its payback is on average two or three years, because the pallets are in constant demand, and it takes a little time and effort to fabricate them.

Pallets of plastic

Recently, the production of plastic pallets is gaining momentum. This is due to the new conditions dictated by the current interstate economic ties. Plastic pallets are very popular with both manufacturers and carriers, as they increase the safety of cargo transportation over long distances.

Manually, of course, such a product can not be made. The beginning entrepreneur will have to purchase special equipment, having decided in advance how this product will be manufactured.

Plastic pallets can be manufactured using the molding method. Products are obtained after pressing with high pressure of special raw materials in molds.
Another way to produce plastic pallets is rotary. In this case, the plastic powder solidifies in the oven-rotating form. There is another way - injection molding.

It's worth saying that the reliability of plastic pallets depends on the way they are manufactured. A significant role in this is played by the equipment used.
Recently, shower trays (manufactured in Russia) are very popular. Made to order on special equipment, they can have different shapes.

That's why as an idea for business you can consider the production of shower trays. To date, these products, made of acrylic, are very popular in the consumer market. Such pallets are optimal by many criteria, which is why they won the approval of buyers. Acrylic products are of low cost, easy to install and easy to use. Attracts customers and a variety of design of such products. Given the high consumer demand, you can count on a high profitability of the business, which will soon begin to bring tangible revenues.