Startup warehouse business

[Shaun619]

Looking to put together a business plan next week for my warehouse business next week while I am on holiday. I'm looking to venture into a few things. Pallet storage distribution (possibly container destuffing) and machine hire. What puts me off straight away is the price of renting a warehouse/Yard I might bankrupt myself before I even start. I am looking for a business partner to share in the the things I am not good at (Accounts and such) My strengths are dealing with the logistics and planning and also the practical things until we're big enough to hire staff (Im a long time served warehouseman/forklift driver.

Looking for constructive advise I know I have been on here a few times for parts of this. My problem is Im comfy at my day to day job but one day I would really love to get this off the ground one day even on a small scale at first. Although looking at the price of even a small warehouse in my area it looks like Id have to make it big quite quick to make ends meet.

Thanks for all your time.

 

[billmccallum1957]

Your problem isn't the burden of the warehouse, its finding the customers to pay for your service, without some knowledge of where they are and why they would use you, you wont get it off the ground.

 

[Shaun619]

I have knowledge of where the pallet business would come from I have good contacts who I'm sure would be interested I'm also near enough to a port for containers. The other parts of the business I mentioned would come later if I found the demand was there

 

[billmccallum1957]

Where are you based?

 

[Shaun619]

I guess the warehouse would land in dundee scotland from looking about

 

[billmccallum1957]

I know Dundee well, I was born there.... too far away from me now I'm settled in England.

 

[EC1 Solutions]

I know this may sound really patronising - and its not - I promise but always invest a good bit of pre-launch time on research.

Points to research are:

• Competition. Is there any local competition? If not - WHY not? If there is, what could make you more attractive (than them) to local customers?
• Industry research - look at what the big guys are doing, what industry standards do they have? Look at what organisations they may be members of.
• Join business groups - a lot of business is still a result of face-to-face networking.
• Dont spend/waste loads of money and time on your first website (and I'm a web developer!) Yes - you need a website presence but I can ensure you that your website will need to evolve with you. It will not automatically generate sales - see below.
• You need far more money for marketing than you realise and you need an effective marketing plan for at least 6months - 1 year. Get someone to help you if needed.

 

[YourRetailCoach]

It is always important to invest a good pre-launch time on research. You can research the below points

1. Competition
2. Industry research
3. Join business group
4. No need to spend or waste too much of money on first website
5. Get someone to help you if needed

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Would it be on a main trunk road
Presumably the port has plenty of warehouse space already