Starting a safety matchbox manufacturing business can be a lucrative venture for entrepreneurs. Safety matches are widely used for lighting purposes due to their convenience, reliability, and safety features. If you’re considering starting a safety matchbox manufacturing business, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started.
The use of matches has been prevalent since the old days. However, it was Arthur Albright who was the first to produce large-scale production of safety matches in the year 1851 in London. Later in 1892, Joshua Pussey was the first person to patent a matchbook. At present, matchboxes are mostly found based on wood or waxy cardboard. Here in this article, we will cover the manufacturing process based out of the woods.
8 Steps to Start a Matchbox-Making Manufacturing Business
1. Do Market Research
Before diving into the matchbox manufacturing business, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for safety matches in your target market. Analyze consumer preferences, market trends, competitor offerings, and distribution channels to identify potential opportunities and niche segments.
2. Create a Business Plan
For someone looking forward to launching a matchbox-making manufacturing unit, it is a must to create a business project plan. This document not only works as a roadmap for the present and future operational activities of your company but also happens to be the single most important document for arranging funds from investors.
You can write your business plan document or hire a professional business plan writer. Below find some of the important key topics that your business project plan must address:
- Startup & recurring costs
- Target customers
- Pricing plan
- How & where to sell matchboxes?
3. Register and Procure Required Licenses
If you want to run a legally compliant matchbox manufacturing business, it is essential to register your business. The ideal legal company structure will depend on the scale of operation and resources of your business.
It is better to consult a local attorney and decide on the best-suited company structure. The same holds for procuring licenses and permits.
4. Setting up the Manufacturing Infrastructure
Once you’ve finalized your business plan and procured the necessary licenses, it’s time to set up the manufacturing infrastructure for your safety matchbox production unit. Choose a suitable location for your manufacturing facility based on factors such as proximity to raw material suppliers, access to transportation networks, availability of skilled labor, and regulatory compliance.
5. Raw Materials Required for Safety Match Making
It is a two-part process of manufacturing matches. One is the matchstick and another is the match head. Let us cover the two aspects one by one.
- Matchstick: Matchsticks are generally made up of wood. The wood must be strong enough to absorb the pressure while striking. It also needs to be porous to absorb chemicals when treated. Pine and aspen trees are preferred in matchstick manufacturing. However, presently wax and plastic are also used to make matchsticks.
- MatchHead: The head of the matchstick is the match head. This is where the chemicals are passed over to create a fire when struck with the side face of the matchbox. The chemicals used mainly are sulphur, an oxidizing agent like potassium chlorate, powdered glass, binding agents, starch, etc.
- MatchBox: Matchboxes are generally made of cardboard. The side surfaces are used for striking purposes. The side surfaces are mixed with red phosphorous, powdered glass, and an adhesive.
Some of the other major raw materials needed to make matchsticks are splints, phosphorus, and potassium chlorate.
6. Safety Matchbox Manufacturing Process
The most important step in setting up matchbox manufacturing is to purchase the machinery and equipment. Broadly, you can either go for a semi-automatic or automatic machine for making matchboxes. The decision of which one to buy will mainly depend on the scale of operation and your budget.
There are broadly five steps to follow while manufacturing safety matches.
a) Cutting Matchsticks
In the case of producing wooden matchsticks, you need to arrange a log of white pine or aspen wood. Then the bark is scratched off. The raw wood is then cut into desired pieces. If you are producing for commercial purposes, some machines make the job easier.
b) Preparing Matchsticks
The matchsticks after properly cut are soaked with a dilute solution of ammonium phosphate. After soaking the sticks are dried and cleaned through a rotating drum. The cleaned and dried sticks are then transported to the place where matchheads will be formed.
c) Forming Match Heads
The next step is to wrap up one end of the matchbox with the chemical mixture as mentioned above. After the treatment process of coating is complete, the matchstick with the coated match head is dried for an hour.
d) Preparing the MatchBoxes
The matchboxes are generally made of cardboard. They are developed printed and stored in a separate area. The side of the safety matchboxes is treated with a chemical solution (mentioned above).
e) Packaging the Safety MatchBoxes
The matchsticks are uniformly packed in matchboxes. The matchboxes are packed in a carton of corrugated cardboard boxes for shipping.
7. Safety Measures in MatchBox Making
One must be very careful in making matchbox manufacturing as the process deals with toxic chemicals. Negligence in quality control may lead to an accidental explosion due to the presence of combustible raw materials.
The matchbox industry has traveled a long way from manual to completely automized production processes. Nowadays the match manufacturing industry is treated as a large-scale industry. Though developed countries like the USA show slow growth due to better alternatives, developing countries continue to show significant growth potential.
8. Marketing and Distribution Strategy
Develop a strategic marketing and distribution strategy to promote your safety matches and reach your target audience effectively. Identify distribution channels such as wholesalers, retailers, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online marketplaces to distribute your products to consumers.
Invest in branding, packaging design, and advertising to differentiate your safety matches from competitors and create brand awareness. Leverage digital marketing channels such as websites, social media platforms, and online advertising to engage with consumers, showcase product features, and drive sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are safety matches, and how do they differ from regular matches?
Safety matches are specially designed to ignite only when struck against a specific surface, typically the matchbox itself. This feature reduces the risk of accidental ignition compared to regular matches, which can ignite upon contact with any rough surface.
What are the raw materials required for manufacturing safety matches?
The primary raw materials for manufacturing safety matches include splints (wooden sticks), matchstick heads (made of chemicals such as phosphorus and potassium chlorate), matchbox cardboard, wax, and adhesive chemicals. These materials are essential for producing high-quality safety matches that meet industry standards.
What are the key steps involved in the production process of safety matches?
The production process of safety matches typically involves several stages, including preparing matchstick heads, coating splints with the matchstick composition, drying the coated splints, assembling the matches into matchboxes, packaging, and quality control checks. Each step requires precision and adherence to safety standards.
What are the safety considerations associated with manufacturing safety matches?
Safety match manufacturing involves handling flammable materials and chemicals, making safety precautions critical. It’s essential to implement safety protocols, provide training to employees on handling hazardous substances, use proper ventilation systems, and maintain fire safety equipment to prevent accidents and ensure worker safety.
What are the potential challenges and risks faced by safety matchbox manufacturers?
Challenges and risks associated with safety matchbox manufacturing include fluctuating raw material prices, competition from established players, quality control issues, regulatory compliance, environmental concerns related to matchstick composition, and market volatility.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
