Foam supplier with a small cutting unit

Upholsterers, furniture makers, van and boat converters, packaging firms, schools and theatres, and local customers who walk in.

You buy in bulk and sell by the sheet or cut piece at a higher price. Regular trade accounts bring repeat orders, and cutting and delivery add extra income.

• Safe use of cutting equipment
• Stock buying and pricing
• Building trade relationships

• Foam used in furniture may need to meet UK fire safety rules, so check the foam you sell is suitably rated
• Foam stock is a fire risk, so check fire safety and insurance requirements for the unit
• Check planning use class and business rates for any unit
• Cutting machinery needs safe guarding, training and risk assessments
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Cash tied up in stock, so start with fast-selling lines

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, your cutting equipment, the range of foam stock you buy and your insurance. Starting with fast-selling lines can help limit the cash tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your stock range, pricing and how many trade customers you win. The estimated minimum time commitment is around 30 hours a week.

Check whether the foam you sell meets UK fire safety rules for furniture, and what fire safety and insurance a unit needs. Check planning use class and business rates, safe guarding and risk assessments for cutting machinery, and liability insurance.