Food processing business

[blaze056]

Hi all,

Im thinking of starting a food processing business. But interest in this industry seems to be very low since it involves a lot of restrictions and adherence to standards etc.

Can anyone advise if it is a good idea to start out (especially since I know nothing about this industry), what are the hurdles involved .. etc ? In what way could this be a difference to other sectors like ..say service/manufacturing? Anyone having similar experience ..

Thanks in advance!

 

[akirk]

Can anyone advise if it is a good idea to start out (especially since I know nothing about this industry),

What-ever the industry...

as soon as someone asks this question the simple answer is no

why would anyone start a business in an industry they don't know?
if you are interested in the industry - go and get a job in the industry, learn it and then set up a company.

Alasdair

 

[blaze056]

True, gaining exp is prime. But i only want to start it part time. I have a good job. So, would like to "test the water" before I jump into it full time. I feel I could employ a couple of workers and getting a routine job done while I do the marketing and promotion... Can't this work ?

 

[akirk]

Quite simply - if you do not know an industry, do not start a business in it.

If you are going to employ people, perhaps find someone experienced in the industry and just be the investor, otherwise, walk away.

Alasdair

 

[blaze056]

emm... Then is there no other way to start up in an new industry. I dont want to start a company in the very field I work - IT. Its saturated.

 

[akirk]

Absolutely nothing to stop you starting up in any industry you want
You are just much more likely to fail

flip it around the other way - what do you think the chances would be for someone with no IT experience starting up in your industry? Likely to do well? Probably not - same thing

Alasdair

 

[Archil]

Blaze, in UK as well as in all other EU countries there are very many standards you`ll have to satisfy. Too many hassles...

I advise you to set up food processing business in less developed countries of middle east, asia, africa or latin america. They have very low standards and thus easy to satisfy.

 

[Searcher]

Blaze, in UK as well as in all other EU countries there are very many standards you`ll have to satisfy. Too many hassles...

I advise you to set up food processing business in less developed countries of middle east, asia, africa or latin america. They have very low standards and thus easy to satisfy.

Quite agree. Start-up costs in this country are prohibitive, you'll need tens £000's before you actually make anything. I think most people would agree that all food premises should be A1. So why don't we apply the same rules to imports which are cheaper because they don't incur the costs ?

Anyway, off topic. The whole idea of getting involved with something you know absolutely nothing about is ridiculous.

 

[laguna]

I hope you can see from what has already been said, that starting something you know absolutely nothing about is doomed from the start?

Why this particular industry anyway?
Have you for instance come across some cheap kitchen equipment?

I don't believe for a second that you just woke up one morning and decided it might be a good idea to make some sausages!

 

[blaze056]

I'd wish to rephrase my question this way - I've been doing some background work on the food processing industry for months now. But I dont have experience with how the industry functions. I wish to take the help of a local government body for advise. And also said "i only want to start it part time", with minimal investment.

Blaze, in UK as well as in all other EU countries there are very many standards you`ll have to satisfy. Too many hassles...

I advise you to set up food processing business in less developed countries of middle east, asia, africa or latin america. They have very low standards and thus easy to satisfy.

Archil - I am from an Asian country. I only want to start exporting. Thnx for that suggestion.


Ok, if thats what most people feel, Is'nt there a way to start up just by doing the research (online, counselling etc), little by little? There must be someone here who has had such a breakthrough.

Thanks everyone.

 

[laguna]

Can you provide us with an example of what it is you want to make and do?

Do you intend preparing raw food?
Do you intend to prepare and then cook food?
Do you intend to prepare, cook and produce a product from start to finish?

It would help if you summarised your intentions, your market(s), size, volumes etc.
If its export then is it dried, frozen or fresh?
Are your questions relating to food preservation?
Do you need info on distribution channels?

etc. etc.

 

[blaze056]

When I looked up a local directory, I found products like these :

Bean Products Beverages Biscuits
Canned Food Castor Oil Confectionery
Dairy Products Edible Salt Egg Products
Fast-Food Food Agents Food Ingredients
Food Products Frozen & Dried Fruit Frozen & Processed Food
Health Food Honey Products Marine Products
Meat & Poultry Noodles
Pan Masala Pickles & Murabba Saffrons
Seafood Snacks Sweets & Namkeen

That's a whole lot I know. Having said, Im gonna start up, I haven't decided which is best suited to the geography of my region, since availability of raw materials is a factor.

Im trying to target a specific market such as those who want canned foods or dried food etc. Then do everything possible to improve the infrastructure of that specific product line and do it in a big way - from production to marketing.