Independent industrial tools and equipment reseller

Small manufacturers, machine and fabrication shops, contractors, maintenance departments and farms that want a responsive local contact.

You earn the margin between the trade price you pay and the price you charge. Some suppliers also pay commission on repeat accounts. Larger machinery orders earn more per sale but take longer to close.

• Sales and relationship building
• Learning product specs quickly
• Organised quoting and follow-up

• Check whether you need a Business Number and GST/HST registration, and any municipal or home-based business licence
• Commercial general liability insurance, ideally with product liability cover
• Check that electrical products carry the right Canadian certification (for example CSA) and that hazardous products meet WHMIS labelling rules
• Quebec has French-language requirements for product labelling and documents, so check if you sell there
• Customers may pay 30 to 60 days after delivery, so plan your cash flow
• Check your supplier's minimum order and returns terms before promising customers anything

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your setup and how you source products. Check your supplier's minimum order and returns terms before promising customers anything.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your customers, product range and the hours you put in. Customers may pay 30 to 60 days after delivery, so plan your cash flow.

Check whether you need a Business Number, GST/HST registration and any municipal or home-based business licence. Also check commercial general liability insurance, CSA certification for electrical products, WHMIS labelling, and Quebec's French-language requirements if you sell there.