Machine knife supplier with sharpening workshop

Local factories, print and packaging firms, food producers and converters that want blades back quickly without waiting on a distant supplier.

You charge per blade sharpened or reground, and you earn a margin on new blades. Regular sharpening contracts give steady monthly work.

• Precision grinding or willingness to train
• Reading blade specifications and tolerances
• Building B2B customer relationships

• Public liability, product liability and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
• Health and safety for grinding: abrasive wheel training, guarding, noise, dust and coolant handling, so check HSE guidance
• Business rates, planning use and lease terms for the unit, so check with your council
• Heavy blades are hard to lift and can cut, so plan safe handling and storage
• A badly ground blade can damage a customer's machine, so agree tolerances and keep records

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £12,000 to £55,000, depending on the unit, equipment and stock. Check business rates, planning use and lease terms for the unit with your council before committing.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your customers and how many blades you sell and regrind. Hours typically start at around 30 a week.

Check public liability, product liability and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff. Check HSE guidance on grinding safety, including abrasive wheel training, guarding, noise, dust and coolant handling, and plan safe handling of heavy blades.