Stocked industrial furnace parts supplier

Industrial maintenance firms, furnace service contractors, manufacturers, foundries, heat treat shops and commercial kitchens or bakeries in your region.

Markup on parts sold from stock, with a premium for same-day availability. Delivery fees, account customers and larger project orders add to revenue.

• Inventory management
• Technical product knowledge
• B2B sales and account building
• Customer service under time pressure

• Check your state and city for a business license and sales tax registration, plus a resale certificate for buying stock
• General liability, product liability and property insurance, as stock and safety-critical parts carry real risk
• Cash tied up in inventory, so start with the fastest-moving items and track turnover
• Some manufacturers require authorization or minimum orders to sell their brands, so check distributor terms
• Check shipping rules for any hazardous or regulated items, and zoning rules for your unit
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire counter or warehouse staff

Estimates typically put startup costs around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the size of your unit and how much stock you carry. Cash tied up in inventory is a key factor, so start with the fastest-moving items.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your local customer base, stock range and delivery reach. The estimate assumes a full-time commitment of about 40 hours a week.

Check your state and city for a business license and sales tax registration, plus a resale certificate for buying stock. Also check insurance, manufacturer authorization, shipping rules for regulated items, and zoning for your unit.