Private-Label olive oil bottling unit

Specialty food brands, grocery and gourmet retailers, restaurant groups, online sellers and companies that want branded oil for gifts or promotions.

A per-unit bottling fee, with possible extra charges for oil sourcing, packaging, label application, minimum runs and storage. Repeat contracts with a few steady brands are the core of the business.

• Running and maintaining simple packaging equipment
• Production planning and inventory tracking
• Quality control and record keeping
• Selling to and managing business customers

• Check your state and local food manufacturing license, inspections, zoning and building requirements for the unit
• Check FDA food facility registration, labeling and traceability rules, including recall readiness
• Product liability and general liability insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire
• Oil authenticity and quality: get supplier documentation, store oil away from heat and light, and keep lot records
• Cash tied up in equipment, bottles and bulk oil before customers pay; consider deposits or customer-supplied oil
• Check your state's sales tax rules and resale certificates for ingredients and packaging

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your equipment, unit and initial stock. Monthly revenue is also an estimate, typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many brands you fill for.

Check your state and local food manufacturing license, inspections, zoning and building requirements. Also check FDA food facility registration, labeling and traceability rules including recall readiness, product liability insurance, and state sales tax and resale certificate rules.

Expect at least about 30 hours a week. Useful skills include running simple packaging equipment, production planning, quality control and record keeping, and selling to business customers. Cash can be tied up before customers pay.