Start a Battery Reconditioning Business
This little known industry has good business potential.
It has grown in popularity because of the need for cost effective ways to
maintain batteries. This invariably cuts down on cost of buying a new one and
offers eco-friendly solution.
The reconditioning business is lucrative with potential
for growth. Increase in awareness is because of new technologies for the
service provider. The job is practicable full time or part time alongside your
regular work.
You also have the flexibility to work from home or a shop
environment. The job is hands on and dirty because you handle old batteries and
chemicals. To start the business you need to learn the trade, secure operational
license and supplies.
How
does it Work
There are two ways to bring a battery back to life. You
can rebuild or recondition. To rebuild you need to remove or change some
components especially the cells.
People that recondition only needs to test the battery
for signs of life. If a sign of life is established they introduce a chemical
mix that dissolves lead plates and acid crystals.
Once the additives carry out their function it is ready
for recharging. The technician puts it through a rigorous load test to
ascertain if it works properly. The whole point of the exercise is to
rejuvenate and elongate the lifespan.
Learn
the Trade
It is important you learn the trade. You need to develop
the basic skills on how to recondition batteries. Other lessons involve
measuring the charge capacity, rejuvenation techniques, type of chemicals used
in the process. You need an in-depth knowledge of the working of cells.
Learn through a technical institution, trade workshop or
seminar. You can become an apprentice or gain on the job experience. Other ways
are taking online course, reading tutorials or books. Look for practical
demonstrations on YouTube and other streaming sites.
Ways
to Learn Battery Reconditioning
- technical institution
- trade workshop
- seminar
- apprentice
- job experience
- online course
- reading tutorials
- books
- look for practical demonstrations
Write
a Business Plan
Write a battery reconditioning business plan and carry
out a feasibility study. The plan should analyze the market, growth potential,
objectives, risks and benefits. It should cover every aspect of the business
from supplies, marketing, funding. Include services you want to provide, fixed
and working capital.
Funding
The startup requirements vary according to business
templates. A franchise arrangement can set you back $12,000. To start from
scratch it could cost from $1000 to $10,000.
Approach a small loans bank for long tern low interest
loans. You need to have at least 1/3 of the amount you request in your bank
account. Other requirements are your business plan, collateral and guarantors.
License
Get a business name and register as an enterprise. There
is health and safety issues include waste chemical provisions.
This is because some of the chemicals used in the process
are toxic, harmful and dangerous. You need liability insurance cover, tax
identification number. Find out all the legalities in your state.
Location
The best location is close to a mechanic workshop or auto
dealership. Find a shop in a commercial area with moderate parking space. You
need a store front and a workshop at the back. One of the most important
aspects is electricity to charge the batteries.
You might also consider having a powerful generating set
as standby power. If you intend working from home you need you provide a secure
space to protect your family. The space should be a distance from the residency
like a built shed or barn.
Equipment
The job requires specialized equipment like load testers,
hydrometers. Others are battery additives, drills, chargers. You need
electronic battery analyzers and connection cables.
- load testers
- hydrometers
- battery additives
- drills
- chargers
- electronic battery analyzers
- connection cables
Supplies
There are companies that offer a complete supply or
starter pack. Find them through yellow pages, directories and online resources.
There are also franchise opportunities in some countries. However leveraging on
a franchise is very expensive than starting from scratch.
Marketing
To make profit you need to sell your products. Use
signage boards, flyers and posters. Use electronic media like television and
radio. Build a website and add products, prices, location and phone number.
Drive traffic to your website through Facebook adverts, Google
Adwords. You could build a social media presence and target a particular
geographical location.