Local material handling supplier with a stocked unit

Local factories, warehouses, wholesalers, retailers, hauliers and trade customers who need equipment quickly and prefer a local supplier.

Margin on equipment sales, plus delivery charges, spare parts, and optional repair or servicing work. Repeat orders from regular trade accounts help steady income.

• Product knowledge of lifting and storage equipment
• Selling and account management
• Stock control and cash flow planning
• Basic mechanical skills help for servicing

• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance for the unit
• Handling heavy equipment is a manual handling and safety risk, so plan how you will lift, load and train any staff
• Lifting equipment can be subject to inspection rules, so check what you must tell customers and what servicing you are qualified to do
• Stock can tie up a lot of cash, so start with fast-moving lines only
• Check business rates, planning use class and lease terms for the unit
• Employer's liability insurance is needed once you hire anyone

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit and lease, how much stock you hold, and your insurance and delivery set-up. Starting with fast-moving lines helps limit the cash tied up.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on your product range, local customer base and how many large orders you win. This is revenue, so stock, rent and wages come out of it.

Check insurance for the unit and stock, manual handling and safety plans for heavy equipment, and any inspection rules for lifting equipment. Also check business rates, planning use class and lease terms, and employer's liability cover once you hire anyone.