Mobile abrasives supplier to tradies

Panel beaters, fabricators, welders, joiners, builders and small manufacturing workshops.

You buy from wholesalers or distributors and sell at a markup. Regular repeat orders from a set round of customers bring steady sales, and delivery convenience supports your pricing.

• Knowing which abrasive suits which job
• Building trade relationships
• Route planning and stock control

• Public liability and product liability insurance, check what your insurer needs for supplying grinding products
• Check that grinding wheels meet the relevant Australian safety standards and carry correct speed and size markings
• Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so check your costs and delivery time carefully
• Vehicle and stock insurance, and safe storage so wheels and discs aren't damaged or damp
• Register for an ABN, and for GST once turnover reaches the threshold
• Startup costs depend mostly on the van (used or leased), shelving fit-out and opening stock, so get quotes before committing

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $30,000 to $90,000, depending mostly on whether the van is used or leased, the shelving fit-out and your opening stock. Get quotes before committing to any of these.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your customer base, route and stock range. Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so check your costs and delivery time carefully.

Check public liability and product liability insurance, and ask your insurer what it needs for grinding products. Also check wheels meet the relevant Australian safety standards with correct markings, plus vehicle and stock insurance, and ABN and GST registration.