Tips in Starting Your Own Machine Shop 

Do you want to own a machining business? Owning your own business might be your ultimate goal, whether you are a machining expert who has been working in the industry for years or you’re in school learning machining. Long-time experts will tell you that you can make it happen if you’ve got the passion and the dream. However, it will require excellent cash flow, dedication, and hard work. 

From getting the equipment, such as CNC rotary table, to creating a business plan, here are a couple of tips you can follow when you want to start your own machine shop.  

Make a Business Plan 

You’ve got to consider every element of how you’re going to operate the business. Though you do not have to go into complicated details, it will be a lot better for you if you put more work into it. There are a couple of questions you need to answer. Here are some of them: 

• What services will you provide? 
• How will you endorse your business to your target clients? 
• Who are your target audiences? 

• Will you have to hire workers right away? 
• How are you going to fund it? 

Grow Slowly and Start Small 

Of course, you do not have to be the most successful machining business in your area within the next 3 years. A lot of successful businesses start as a 1-man operation in their garage. You can start slowly if you can do all the tasks on 1 to 2 machines. You can grow your business by leasing or purchasing extra equipment as you gain revenue and customers.  

Slow growth also helps you weather cash flow downs and ups. You might find you’ve got a hard time making payroll or paying bills if you’ve got all the working capital tied up in open accounts receivable. 

Focus on Excellent Client Service 

Clients are going to expect almost every machining business to work off of a prevailing rate structure for your area. Though 1 or 2 businesses may have a bit lower or higher rates, the prevailing rate structure is the standard. Thus, how are you going to set apart your business from the others? An excellent place to start is an excellent client service. 

• Treat everybody with respect, from the president of your client company to the receptionist.  
• Provide a professional and polite approach in every single thing you do. 
• Offer personalized service to every client, small or big. 

Know Your Competitors and Clients 

Who is your target market? Almost every machining business works with particular clients or in industries in a particular area. It’s vital for a machining business owner to know those customers very well to attract them. Do they have a problem? How can your business help in solving those problems?  

Understanding the competition is another component of running an effective machining business. Oftentimes, machine businesses are in intense competition with each other for particular customers. It’s vital to know what the competition is doing to attract those clients. Do they offer particular services that appeal to the clients?