Do you want to know about making a safety match? Interested in starting a matchbox manufacturing business? If so, find here in this article how to make matches with raw materials and manufacturing processes.
The use of matches is prevalent since the old days. However, it was Arthur Albright who was the first in producing 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 woods.
5 Steps to Start a Matchbox-Making Manufacturing Business
1. Create a Matchbox Manufacturing Project 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?
2. 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 true for procuring licenses and permits.
3. 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 for creating 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.
4. Buying Mchine 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, there are machines that 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 and 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 packed in matchboxes in a uniform manner. The matchboxes are packed in a carton of corrugated cardboard boxes for shipping.
5. 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.
About the Author: 99businessideas.com led by Rupak Chakrabarty is committed to helping beginners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in starting, managing, and growing their business. Our aim is to educate the entrepreneur on the various stages of entrepreneurship.