Build Stuff: 9 Ideas for a Low Investment Manufacturing Business

Build Stuff: 9 Ideas for a Low Investment Manufacturing Business

The manufacturing sector in the U.S is worth $2.33 trillion contributing to 11.6 percent of the country’s economic output. Goods manufactured in the U.S account for at least 11% of global goods. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are about 12.75 million manufacturing jobs or 8.5% of the total workforce.

Manufacturing is the heart of the American economy. The US economy sits high in the list of nations and much of that is attributed to its manufacturing sector.

If you’re looking to become a manufacturer, here are 9 low investment manufacturing business ideas to try.

1. Baking

The American Bakers Association estimate that the baking industry in the country generates $30 billion each year. Cakes, cookies, bread, and pies are an integral part of the US diet. This is a business that you will hardly fail to get a market.

By setting up a baking manufacturing line, you are likely to create dozens of jobs and at the same time a decent revenue. Baking doesn’t require a huge power bill and can be managed by a small scale trader to a mass producer.

The trend among many buyers of cakes, bread, and other products prefer locally made pastries. For this reason, your bakery should be within a community.

2. Patches Manufacturing

Patches are popular among millennials and biking communities that are seeking to add color and fashion to their denims or jackets. But just any other person can purchase them providing a huge market. Ensure that you are sewing patches that have a bigger appeal to maximize sales.

As you make patches, ensure the message they communicate is clear to avoid cases where the intended meaning is not the one that reaches the buyers. You have to be in the flow of things and understand the needs of the community you are targeting.

3. Candle Making as a Low Investment Manufacturing Business

Manufacturing candles is easy, all you need is wax and the knowledge to get the right melting techniques. There are many candles that are used every day in the U.S and you need to be sure who you target. There is a good market for scented candles and non-drip types that can be used on any occasion.

Candles are common in churches and other religious events, as well as in hotels, romantic sessions, and parties. They are also found in mourning ceremonies. The amount of wax used every year to manufacture candles is up to 1 billion pounds.

4. Dairy and Cheese Making

The dairy industry is one of the oldest and impactful in the country. In 2014, the industry was producing over 93.4 million metric tons of milk in various farms spread throughout the country. There are large scale dairy companies, but most of the small farms have a dairy plant producing various dairy products.

The product range of a dairy company can range from ordinary milk, skimmed milk, yogurt, cheese, and ghee. These have an almost guaranteed market both for local and international use.

5. Candy and Chocolate Making

The market for candy and chocolates has been rising in the U.S. Estimates show that the market will be worth $19 billion by 2025. If you add the chocolate industry, the market size is phenomenal.

More people are looking for sweet things. By starting a small scale manufacturing business for candy, you are assured of a huge market that goes beyond the borders. American chocolate and candy can be found all over the world.

6. Nails, Nuts, and Bolts

The rise of DIY as a trend among Americans has led to many people fixing things at home rather than waiting for a professional plumber. Even beyond DIY, nuts nails and bolts are always in high demand from small to medium manufacturers. You will always find someone who needs to replace a bolt or a nut.

7. Manufacture of Inks and Cartridges

The demand for printing ink is expected to reach $12 billion by 2025 marking a huge market for US manufacturers. The manufacture of inks and printing cartridges need special skills to produce a product that has a lasting impression on the paper.

However, these are skills and techniques that can be learned and based on the profits outlooks, it’s a worthy business to venture into. You have to include the technical personnel required in your manufacturing business plan in order to factor their needs.

8. Manufacturing Balls

Every home whether with children or adults has a ball of any form. It could be a soccer ball, baseball, football or basketball. Most of these balls are easy to manufacture.

There are many types of equipment available in the market for making balls of different sizes and shapes. For those that are sewn, you can easily assemble a plant with a dozen workers.

A ball manufacturing factory doesn’t consume a lot of power hence the operations costs are low. This makes it one of the best small scale manufacturing business to consider.

9. Packaging Materials Production

Paper and packaging industry is huge. From ordinary paper packaging to shipping containers, there is space for anyone who would want to venture into the industry. It also includes packaging tools, tapes, and other wrappings.

This is an area you can thrive as a manufacturer. Different consumers have different packaging needs and all you need is to position yourself in a segment. For example, there are people who are keen on minimalist packaging designs while others don’t mind any design.

Packaging can also include envelopes, shopping bags, gift wraps, and boxes.

The U.S Manufacturing Sector Is Big Enough to Accommodate All Your Ideas

Different sectors have their share of challenges but in the U.S, it’s very easy to get hold of a manufacturing segment and make good profits. You need however to consider other business development and management issues before you can see the first results. Your choice of a low investment manufacturing business will ensure you don’t need to break a bank to start.

There are many ideas in the industry that you can explore from our blog. These range from managing a start-up, how to relate to your employees and how to manage the entire business environment. This will put you in a great perspective in managing your business ideas.

Comments are closed.