How to Start a Welding Supplies Business
Welding supplies are the materials that are necessary to carry out welding tasks whether industrially or domestically. It is a booming business since not many know the potential of this business. You will not lack customers for this business; you will see why, along with how to start your own welding supplies business as you read further.
Your target customer
Every business has its set of customers, and so does a welding supply business. It is important to know who your customer will most likely be as it will give you a sense of direction in the business. Your marketing strategy will be hugely influenced by your target audience; who they are, what they do, where they live, what appeals to them, and what ways you can reach them. The following are some of the people you expect to patronize your business.
Welding establishments
The first sets of customers you should expect are the ones in the same industry as you. Welding shops and even other welding supplies stores will need to purchase some of your items. These businesses are the ones that could make you popular in the industry sooner than you think. Most of them will be into welding and fabrication and there are lots of equipment they would need to carry out their duties, from personal protective equipment to welding tools. Doing business with these welding establishments will provide you with friends in the industry who can be helpful to you in the long run. Joining a welding supplies business’ association will come in handy here, as you can promote your business in meetings. Directly talking your way to a partnership with people in the same industry will be very effective.
The Government
The government of a state usually encourages the home-grown businesses in its region and supports them by patronizing their businesses. Since the government is involved with virtually every sector in the country, when they purchase welding equipment from suppliers, rest assured they have more than enough use for them. The government is also one of the best clients a supplier can have because there is a possibility that more contracts will come, such a business will easily know people in top positions, and the government pays its suppliers. It’s not easy to be a supplier to the government due to the high level of competition from all over the region and even abroad. An effective promotional technique is meeting with the appropriate government officials in person for a presentation. However, it won’t be easy but once you secure the first contract, it would get easier from there.
The armed forces
Every country’s armed forces, especially the military, needs skilled welding experts as well as the best welding equipment available. There are many uses for welding supplies in the military, especially during combat. With skilled welders and fabricators, they can easily fix broken weapons and even make some as long as they have other necessary materials. Even the navy need welding equipment as they sail on the water- and some underwater in submarines- so that they can easily fix problems on the battleships. Just like getting a partnership deal with the government, a well-planned presentation will help you get a deal. If one has someone on the inside, they could also speed up the process; it may not be fair to others but it is common practice in the industry.
Oil and gas companies
Even though the world is moving away from depending on oil and gas as a major source of energy, the oil and gas sector is still surviving. There are many sections in a typical oil and gas company, especially in the exploration and production departments. There is a huge demand for skilled welders- especially underwater welders- for onshore and offshore oil production. More skilled welders mean more demand for welding supplies, and your type of business will be called to supply welding equipment. The oil and gas sector is still one of the best-paying sectors; both company staff and suppliers are well-paid for their services. Oil and gas companies need a lot of convincing to get their top contracts; they’ll check track records and compare what you have with your competitors before making a decision. Get ready to impress immediately you set out to bid for a contract.
Construction companies
Construction and building projects need a combination of professionals to work on different aspects of the job to reach their goal. The skilled workers will also include those in the welding and fabrication field who will need welding supplies to function effectively. Since construction projects can be big and have huge budgets, the welding process might need a lot of welding experts, which means they’ll need more welding equipment. Welding supplies businesses tend to make lots of money when they get clients in construction. Even though some of these companies will approach you for welding supplies, chances are you will need to bid for contracts.
Individuals
Not only will government establishments and corporate organizations need some welding supplies but people will also need them in their homes. Welding supplies are needed for a variety of reasons and they can help fix things around the house. People who like to fix things themselves prefer to buy carpentry, electrical, and welding equipment to solve little problems in the house. These sorts of people will need to purchase welding supplies to use in their garage or their private workshops. From tool bags to gas cylinders, there are people who are eager to buy welding supplies. Promoting your welding supplies business to individuals is not as straightforward as the rest. Since people are scattered around the region, you’ll need to use every means of advertising such as digital marketing, word-of-mouth, the printing of flyers and posters, along with other affordable means of marketing.
What welding supplies companies sell
Gloves
Gloves sell like hot cakes in the welding industry. They are for protecting the hands from injuries- especially burns and cuts- during welding processes. The best-sellers are usually leather gloves.
Helmets
While welding helmets might not be seen often on welders as other materials like respirators, they are essential in ensuring the safety of welding personnel. Helmets come in different styles, designs, and the recent ones have outstanding optical transparency with cutting-edge technology.
Welding machines
Welding equipment was made to help welders achieve the best results by increasing their yield and helping them work faster. Welding machines can be expensive depending on their capacity, but MIG and TIG machines are affordable.
Respirators
Respirators protect welders from inhaling toxic fumes and gases. They are usually masks that protect the whole face but still sit comfortably on the face. Some of the common types of respirators are supplied air, disposable, and powered air respirators. They are made to sit well on the face even when the welder is wearing a helmet.
Safety goggles
Even though welding helmets will cover your face, sometimes using safety goggles will be the best option for welding experts. Safety goggles will protect the eyes from debris and intense light during welding.
Safety apparel
Some of the most common clothing for welding are coveralls and jackets to protect the body from injuries like cuts and chemical burns. Leather jackets, long coats, and welding aprons are all part of the apparel welding supplies companies sell.
Cutters
Otherwise known as cutting equipment, cutters are used to cut materials used during welding. There are mechanized air plasma cutters, HD air plasma cutters, plasma torches, and consumables, etc.
Face shields
Welding face shields are worn like a semi-helmet but are meant to shield the face from debris and intense light getting into the eyes. The inspired the face shields on sale during pandemics.
Welding bags
These are literally bags that welding personnel carry to their places of business. The bags contain their apparel, along with other materials they’ll need throughout their time at work.
Used welding equipment
Welding supplies businesses also sell used welding materials that are in very good working conditions, albeit at a cheaper rate.
Welding supplies stores also supply gases
It may surprise some but part of what a welding supplies business delivers to clients is gas. Gases are an essential aspect of welding which are needed for any welding and fabrication activity. There are different gases that are suitable for welding functions and they have distinct features and uses. Some gases are used for heating as this heat will make it possible to cut through metal or even melt them if necessary. There are also gases that change form when they are expended while some don’t and knowing this will help decide on how to store and supply them. Some gases are used during the welding process while some are used after for finer results. The most common gases used in welding are:
- Argon
- Acetylene
- Carbon Dioxide
- Helium
- Hydrogen
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Propylene
Welding supplies businesses deliver industrial; gases as well as medical gases depending on the customer and their needs. Some of these gases are mixed; they are a combination of two or more gases for welding activities. The opposite of mixed gases is the pure gases which are the most common types of welding gases distributed across welding shops and businesses.
In addition, welding supplies dealers also sell gas cylinders. Gas cylinders come in different sizes and can be used for different purposes- both industrial and domestic. Welding supplies merchants also rent gas cylinders to those who need them for a short period. They also sell or rent gas tanks especially for industrial use. In cases where gas cylinders will be too small to do what is needed by the user, a gas tank is preferred.
How to start a welding supplies business
Understand welding practices
It is not advisable to start a welding supply business without the knowledge of welding practices. The equipment and supplies you deliver to your customers have different specifications and uses which might not be known to a novice in the industry. While it is not compulsory to have had experience as a professional welder, the most likely to succeed in this business are former or active welding professionals.
Some welding supplies can be dangerous if not handled properly, while some can get broken or distorted if not stored properly. The storage of some welding supplies- as well as the handling- is crucial to how long they will last and their overall value. Some welding supplies are gases that can be very dangerous if not handled or stored properly, while some can lose their potential when exposed to light or the atmosphere. Without proper welding knowledge, it would be difficult to understand the needs of your customers and they might lose confidence in you.
If you must, take a course in welding and fabrication and then get involved in some welding practices. Since you don’t need to get your hands dirty to succeed in this venture, having worked at a welding supplies shop or company will be vital. Knowledge of the industry will save you from causing harm to yourself and your customers, and it will help you know what to look for in welding supplies before you order them from the manufacturers.
Make a solid welding supplies business plan
The welding supplies market is competitive and without proper planning, the business might not grow as fast as it should. Make a concrete business plan for the welding supplies business the moment you decide to start the business. The plan will involve how you will set up the business and all the possible factors that can go for or against the business, with ways out of unforeseen circumstances. This business plan will be documented and must contain all that you’ll find out from feasibility studies on the market.
Get permits to start a welding supplies store
You will not be able to run a welding supplies business successfully without having the necessary permits and licensing from authorized bodies. You will need to get a license to operate as a welding supplies company from an authorized non-governmental body in charge of regulating welding-related affairs. Also, the government will give you permits to start a welding supplies shop before you can proceed. The nature of some of the materials you have for sale is part of the reasons why these bodies must be sure your company is capable of handling them safely. To get these permits, visit the official website of the appropriate authorized licensing bodies for information, and if it is necessary, go to their office in person to request a permit. Most of the thriving welding supplies store owners have certifications in the welding and fabrication field- it is recommended.
Get a welding supplies shop or warehouse
You can’t run a welding supplies business without a place where the supplies will be kept. For this reason, you must make sure to find an appropriate space that is enough to house the various materials you will be selling or renting out. First, do your homework on the area to see if it fits your vision for the business. The vicinity where your welding supplies business will be located can determine the growth and expansion potential of the business.
An area where construction activities are ongoing on a regular basis will be one of the best places to open your welding supplies shop. Also, be sure to site your welding supplies store somewhere that can be easily reached by your clients because some of the materials you sell will have to be hauled and a good road network will suffice.
Once you have found a suitable place to store your welding supplies, be sure to set the place up to be appropriate for the materials. There should be storage units for special supplies depending on their physical properties or chemistry. For example, storage units for gases will be different from those of welding apparel.
Get haulage vehicles
Some customers will go to your store or warehouse to get the welding supplies while you will be the one to deliver them to the customers. To be in a good position to supply your customers with welding supplies, you must get your own haulage vehicle. It would be safer for everyone if you delivered the welding supplies yourself because some of these materials can be harmful to those who don’t know how to handle them properly.
As a welding supplies business owner, your company will be able to load them properly on the vehicles, transport them safely, and then store them appropriately. The size of your haulage vehicle will depend on what supplies you have to sell or rent. Materials like gas tanks will need heavy haulage trucks to transport them safely. Also, as your business grows, you’ll need to get more haulage vehicles of different sizes and capacities to meet the demands of your customers.
Find a welding supplies business association
Every welding supplies businessperson needs to join the appropriate association for the growth of the business. The welding supplies market has associations in almost every region where people involved in the business meet for discussions and information dissemination. The advantages of joining such associations include the opportunity to get familiar with top names and brands in the industry. You will also be able to promote your business better during meetings and functions. Business partners, and even investors in welding supplies, can also be made in these associations, which is why one should join them. The most important aspect of joining them is the information one would get pertaining to the welding supplies industry.
Give emphasis to safety
Safety is the most important aspect of welding which is why even as a welding supplies businessperson, you must make it your company’s motto. There should be an attitude in your company that clearly shows your adherence to safety principles. Since you and your team members will be handling objects that are gaseous, and in some cases heavy materials that can cause an accident if not properly handled, safety is a must. The safety culture will keep your workers from sustaining injuries on the job and make them apply the same principles when attending to customers.
Qualities of a fruitful welding supplies entrepreneur
Although starting a welding supplies business is not only for a set of people- any determined person can- it would be easier to thrive with certain qualities. The business involves various aspects which an aspiring entrepreneur will handle successfully with the following attributes:
Effective salesmanship
A welding supplies business owner will always try to sell his or her supplies to the highest bidder and that takes good salesmanship. Any welding supplies entrepreneur must know how to make people want to purchase his or her goods. This attribute is the marketing technique you need to have especially when you are just starting your business. An effective salesman will make people believe they will get the best value for their money when they make a purchase. Good salesmen will sell anything to even those who don’t need it. It takes a good understanding of a customer’s mentality, their need, and how your product will fulfill those needs to convince them.
Good negotiation skills
The welding supplies market revolves around suppliers and their clients going back and forth trying to make the best deals. Sometimes, a supplier gets less than he or she expects while at times, they get a bargain. The ability to negotiate one’s way through deals will help one’s chances of running a thriving welding supplies venture. A welding supplies business owner gets the supplies from the manufacturer, stocks them somewhere safe, and then sells them at a profit. Negotiation isn’t only about bargaining with your customer, it starts from before the welding supplies are purchased from the manufacturer. If the supplies are too expensive, the welding supplies businessperson will have to sell them at a high rate as well. In order to be in a position to sell your supplies to customers at an affordable rate, you need good negotiation skills.
Conclusion
Starting a welding supplies business will see you generate income steadily but you have to keep marketing your business. Welding equipment won’t sell themselves; therefore, make sure to use the most effective methods that are particular to the types of customers you have. With the backing of a good association and some useful contacts in the industry, you’ll get vital information and secure the biggest contracts in welding.