Trade leather wholesaler with a small unit
Hold full hides in a small warehouse unit and supply workshops, saddlers and manufacturers on trade accounts.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A stocked wholesale business in a small industrial unit. You carry a range of full hides and skins, sell by the hide, side or square metre, and offer trade accounts, cutting to order and local pickup or freight.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local workshops and makers about what they buy, and what they struggle to source
- Get quotes from tanneries and importers and work out your stock budget and unit costs
- Line up a few trade customers before signing a lease, then open accounts with agreed payment terms
Who pays
Upholsterers, saddlers, bootmakers, bag and accessory manufacturers, furniture makers and larger workshops.
How it makes money
Wholesale margin on bulk stock, plus extras such as cutting and delivery. Trade accounts with repeat orders are the core of the income.
Skills that help
- Knowing leather grades, tanning types and defects
- Negotiating with suppliers and tanneries
- Stock control and bookkeeping
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Stock is a big upfront cost and slow-moving colours or types can tie up cash
- Check biosecurity, customs and permit rules for imported hides and exotic skins
- Check zoning and lease conditions for warehouse use with your local council
- Public liability, stock and property insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
- Trade customers paying late, so check credit terms before offering accounts
- Register for GST once you reach the turnover threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: trade leather wholesaler with a small unit
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a leather wholesale business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the range of hides you hold and your unit lease. Stock is a big upfront cost, and slow-moving colours or types can tie up cash.
How much can a leather wholesaler earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your hours, your trade accounts and the hides and skins you carry. These figures are revenue, before stock, rent and other costs.
What rules should I check before wholesaling leather in Australia?
Check biosecurity, customs and permit rules for imported hides and exotic skins. Also check zoning and lease conditions for warehouse use with your local council, insurance including workers compensation once you hire, credit terms for trade accounts, and GST registration.
Other ways to run this business
Similar making and manufacturing ideas
Compact water jet service for makers and designers
Use a smaller or second-hand water jet in a shared or small unit to cut custom parts for makers, designers and small workshops.
- A$40k-120k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small machine shop for custom parts
Turn metal and plastic into one-off and short-run parts on lathes and mills for local businesses.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Natural stone exporter with a small stock yard
Buy stone from quarries, hold stock in a small yard and ship mixed containers to overseas buyers.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Powder coating workshop
Coat metal parts, wheels and fabricated items in a small unit with your own oven and spray booth.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Fabrication workshop in a small unit
Rent an industrial unit and take on custom frames, stairs, sheet metal parts and trade contracts.
- A$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local bearing and industrial parts counter
Open a small trade counter stocking bearings, seals and belts for nearby garages, farms and factories, with same-day pick-up.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises