Local trade supplier to moulding workshops

Small and medium manufacturers, composites and plastics workshops, foundries and casting businesses, and prototype makers.

A margin on each item supplied, with regular repeat orders and delivery or minimum-order charges. Agreeing standing orders with a few customers makes income more predictable.

• Sales and building trade relationships
• Reading product specifications
• Route planning and reliable delivery

• Carrying chemicals in a vehicle can have rules on packaging, labelling and quantity (check ADR guidance)
• Goods in transit and public liability insurance, plus product liability if you resell under your own name
• Customers paying late, so agree payment terms and consider credit checks before offering account terms
• Reliance on a few large customers or one supplier

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how much stock you hold and what you need to buy in and deliver. Many suppliers start with little stock held and build up as customers grow.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on how many workshops you supply and what they order. That is revenue rather than profit, so allow for the cost of the goods you buy and deliver.

Check ADR guidance on packaging, labelling and quantity for carrying chemicals in a vehicle. Also check goods in transit, public liability and product liability insurance, and agree payment terms or credit checks to guard against late-paying customers.