Supply Business / Equipment Business

By Prosperi-Tees on Jan. 21, 2012
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Forums: 
Screen Printing

Since I started screen printing in early 2010 I have always wanted to be a supplier of... well supplies and equipment for the screen printing industry. I wanted it to be a regional/local thing as we have only 1 supplier that seems the screen printing side of their business is second fiddle, in a population of over a million and numerous shops small and large. Not only that retail/wholesale has been what I have done since I was a teen so it really intrigues me. Anyone here know whats involved in starting something like this or where I might find info.

Location: 
United States
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Submitted by Prosperi-Tees on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 18:25

I am not talking about being strictly an equipment dealer. I guess my first thing to do is find out how many shops are in my 200 mile area, their size, their volume and possibly where they buy now.

Submitted by RobertWBarnes on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 18:47

Prosperi-Tees wrote:
I am not talking about being strictly an equipment dealer. I guess my first thing to do is find out how many shops are in my 200 mile area, their size, their volume and possibly where they buy now.

Supply Business = Lots of inventory -and- A/R problems IMHO

Submitted by Printwizard on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 23:01

Go and talk to a distributor about some on sell or franchise version, IMO the boys at Ryonet are fantastic people. They may not be into it, but someone will value local representation.

Submitted by RobertWBarnes on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 23:14

Printwizard wrote:
Go and talk to a distributor about some on sell or franchise version, IMO the boys at Ryonet are fantastic people. They may not be into it, but someone will value local representation.

Years ago Rutland was trying to get into the supply business ... do some research with them :-))

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Submitted by Prosperi-Tees on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 00:07

Inkworks wrote:
As a printer you'd also be in competition with your supply customers. Not a good mix.

I have thought of that but there are a couple around the country that do just that and they have been succesful but yes that is a concern

Submitted by Printwizard on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 01:59

I do both, print, and sell ink, consumables and substrates, and equipment. It's down to ethics and how you do business. Never have I tried poaching another printers customer with my knowledge, and likewise I can walk into a heap of shops. Did that last week to measure up a 10 Colours Mustang fitting in there and how we get it in for them. It's also about openness so that they can come into your shop and collect, and you may show them techniques, or stuff. It can be an asset. We also for a while rented our shop out for people to come in and print, although we don't do that so much anymore due to lack of capacity, but it was a revenue stream when the dryer was on and they could plod away on a carousel beside us.

Submitted by RobertWBarnes on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 02:03

Printwizard wrote:
I do both, print, and sell ink, consumables and substrates, and equipment. It's down to ethics and how you do business. Never have I tried poaching another printers customer with my knowledge, and likewise I can walk into a heap of shops. Did that last week to measure up a 10 Colours Mustang fitting in there and how we get it in for them. It's also about openness so that they can come into your shop and collect, and you may show them techniques, or stuff. It can be an asset. We also for a while rented our shop out for people to come in and print, although we don't do that so much anymore due to lack of capacity, but it was a revenue stream when the dryer was on and they could plod away on a carousel beside us.

Hey Mike ... Whenever the word Mustang is typed the chip in my head knows it ;-) LOL

Fat man is about asleep ... Hope you are well Brother :-))

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