64 Best Manufacturing Business Ideas To Start (2022)
Looking to start an innovative product line but not sure which manufacturing ideas to focus on?
The good news is, that there are endless manufacturing business ideas you can start today.
We researched the internet and found tons of small manufacturing business or b2b manufacturing business ideas for your consideration.
Here are some of the most profitable manufacturing business ideas you can start today!
1. Become a computer manufacturer
My name is Lawrence O'Connor, aka 'OWC Larry.' I am the founder and CEO of OWC (Other World Computing, Inc.).
Our CAGR over the past 33yrs is 43.78% (average growth rate since inception). It was 18.4% in the most recently completed year 2019 vs 2020 with just over 148 million revenue in 2020.
2. Become a bicycle manufacturer ($1M/month)
The global bicycle market will reach a CAGR of 8.2% in the next decade. Leisure needs, government initiatives, and increasing health consciousness among all ages are reasons bicycles have become a popular transportation method. Experts expect that that industry will continue growing at a significant rate globally.
Starting a bicycle manufacturing business can be rewarding and profitable. To start a bicycle business, consider your target market and research the competition. Narrow down the niche, create a website, and market your business.
Ben Sarrazin, Founder, and CEO of the Yuba Group, designer, creator, distributor of load-carrying bicycles (bikes to carry things, passengers, sports equipment, tools, pets).
Over the past 15 years, Yuba has put over 50,000 cargo bicycles on the road. That is a lot of happy families.
3. Become a countertop manufacturer ($1.1M/month)
Countertops are challenging to build. More importantly, they are substantial and a must-have for households. Building countertops requires expert experience, planning, and equipment. In most cases, homeowners want custom and trendy countertops.
Other than manufacturing, countertop companies can also earn money from the installation fees, repair, and replacement of countertops. To become a countertop manufacturer, you need experience cutting, polishing, and installing granite.
Our Z Counterform System for countertops and Z Poolform System for concrete pool coping are the go-to solutions for cast-in-place concrete forms. With a small but dedicated team, we grew this business from an idea to over $12M in revenue in 10 years.
4. Start a nanobrewery or micro brewery ($56K/month)
A nano brewery is a brewpub that produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer annually and sells at least 75% of its beer off-site. Running a nano-brewery can be a profitable business idea if you understand how to brew high-quality beer.
To start a nano brewery, check your local laws and research if you have a good customer base. It would help if you also learned how to operate a brewery professionally because the poorly brewed beer will ruin your business.
HI! We are Davor and Matija from Varionica, a craft brewery from Croatia.
We started by renting a small brewery outside of Zagreb and by the end of 2019. After that, we opened our new brewery with a much larger capacity and modern brewing equipment in Pisarovina near Zagreb. We started our business with only 22 30-liter steel KEGs, which we drove around in an old Opel Astra, and now we are producing roughly 40.000 liters of beer per month.
5. Become a chocolate maker ($12K/month)
Rarely do you come across someone who does not love chocolate. That’s good reason to start a chocolate making business!
According to statistics, the global chocolate market size is expected to grow at a CAGR rate of 4.6%.
Starting a chocolate business can yield profits in any part of the world. However, to achieve the high profit margins, you ought to make chocolate with quality ingredients. Then, create a niche with a unique selling proposition.
I’m Sarah Gross Feoli, the founder and owner of Rescue Chocolate. While our products are only for humans to enjoy, we donate all profits to various animal rescue organizations. I began the company in January 2010, and in the past 8 years have partnered with hundreds of different rescue groups on fundraising.
Our retail customers are chocolate aficionados, animal lovers, local foodies, and anyone with a sweet tooth. On the wholesale side, we are carried at gourmet groceries, pet stores, veterinarian offices, vegan shops, and natural food stores.
6. Become a candle manufacturer
My name is Kevin Gillespie, and along with Garrett Le’ Tourneau, we created Wax & Wick, the 100% soy candles with wood wicks.
Some notable differentiation between Wax & Wick and traditional candles is that our branding is simple, the style of the candle will fit with any decor, and we use only 100% soy wax and Fsc-Certified wood wicks. Our impact on the environment is intentionally small.
7. Start a clothes business ($125K/month)
Starting a clothing manufacturing business can be a lucrative and great opportunity. In fact, clothing manufacturing is expected to grow due to increase demand for quality clothing items around the world.
It's important that you first determine your niche in the clothing manufacturing world, whether that be streetwear clothing, fitness and athletic, or leisure.
Hello from sunny Singapore! My name is Donovan and I am the founder of Bryden.
I started Bryden back in 2015 with my partner and we are now a team of 8, with an average monthly revenue of $74,000 and serving customers in more than 20 countries from French Polynesia to USA.
8. Start a furniture business ($124K/month)
The furniture industry involves the design, manufacture, and sale of various types of furniture for household and commercial purposes. With the increase in flexible workspaces and the growth of the real estate industry, the demand of the furniture business has also boosted in recent times.
The furniture business is easy to start and does not require high investments. However, it is first important to know your niche for example office, domestic or home furniture or luxury items.
The furniture business needs a lot of preparation and prior knowledge. It is advisable to take business classes, learn about your local market, and make a solid business plan. In general, if your products are unique and one of a kind, consumers will be willing to pay a higher, including the shipping cost.
My name is Sasha Weekes and I’m the 25 years old owner of Timber Grove Studios. Our home-based woodshop is nestled in the hills of PEI’s countryside, and we specialize in decorative shelving and home decor with a focus on minimalist design and simplicity. Each piece is made to order with 20+ color options, meaning it will be the perfect fit for each customer's space. We ship Canada and U.S. wide.
Moving twice in two years has definitely caused organizational, financial and opportunity hiccups, but the business has grown steadily regardless so we’re very excited about where 2020 will take us. We’ve learned what to focus on during which months, as revenue can range anywhere from $2000 during slow months to $10,000 during high months. Net profit has run anywhere between 20-50% throughout the life of the business and varies month to month. It’s closer to 20% right now as we’ve been spending all we can on new tools and materials for our new larger products and our Christmas stock.
9. Start an oil production business
The oil manufacturing business is highly profitable small scale business and can be started with little money. Oil is used for various purposes like cooking, manufacturing soaps, cosmetics & hair products.
Oil can either be produced at home or in manufacturing units depending on the scale you want. The most important aspect is maintaining consistency in quality & hygiene standards. If that is maintained then you can easily create your own brand of oils & even start exporting.
Hello there! My name is Anusha Moodley, and I’m the founder of Thulisa Naturals. I started the company 5 years ago from my kitchen, using essential oils to make natural bath and body products that support one’s mental and physical well-being.
My business is self-funded, and I started it with a $5K budget. Since the business has grown, I currently make $29K in monthly revenue, with room to grow even more.
10. Become a bags manufacturer
Starting a bag making business is one of the most profitable and easiest industries to start your business. You can choose to manufacture bags of multiple materials. One of the categories gaining prominence is eco-friendly bags. With the rising toxicity and pollution levels in the environment, eco-friendly products have become the need of the hour. Consumers are shifting away from plastic bags and looking for alternative materials.
You can produce loads of alternatives from plastic bags like- Paper, Jute, and canvas clothes which are much more durable.
11. Start a toy manufacturing
Toys are an integral part of childhood. The toy market is expected to reach $103.8 billion by 2027. So if you are looking for manufacturing business ideas to start on your own, entering the toys industry could be a great start.
Before getting started, you want to choose a niche, there are various types of toys available in the market. You can start by making : Educational toys, Soft toys, Outdoor toys, creative toys, electronic toys, arcade games etc.
12. Start a paper manufacturer
There are numerous businesses that mesh well with the typical small business model of low overhead, low inventory and low to moderate output. A paper manufacturing business is one such type of enterprise. There is a built-in marketplace for your product with little work involved in marketing. Paper is one of the most widely used materials with a wide range of applications in our day-to-day life. It also finds applications across industries such as packaging, publishing, etc.
Some of the popular paper products manufacturing business ideas include tissue paper manufacturing, kraft paper manufacturing, stone paper manufacturing, thermal paper manufacturing, butter paper manufacturing, art paper manufacturing, seed paper manufacturing, notebook manufacturing and many more.
13. Start a healthy snack food business ($132K/month)
Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.
Compared to a few decades ago, more and more people today value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.
The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030, and there's no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives, to chips, cookies, crackers and more.
Hey there! My name is Ryan Chen and I am the co-founder of Neuro, a functional gum, and a mint company that delivers energy, clarity, and focus in a minty and refreshing way.
Back in October 2015, one of my best friends from college (Kent Yoshimura) and I began developing the idea for Neuro when we realized there was a lack of portable, healthy, or effective alternatives to energy drinks or supplements. Both Kent and I trained in athletics at a national level and to find products that would help us balance life and school was nearly impossible.
14. Start a fitness equipment manufacturer
Are you searching for a new business opportunity that will enable you to utilize your design and construction skills? If so, perhaps you should consider starting a business that manufactures fitness equipment. The main requirements for succeeding in this type of manufacturing business is to have a well-equipped workshop, design and construction experience, and good marketing skills.
The fitness equipment manufactured can include weight benches, weight stands, and squat stands, just to mention a few. Once the fitness equipment is constructed it can be sold on a wholesale basis to national and specialty retailers, or directly to the public via a factory direct showroom, or over the Internet.
I am Matt Dawson and am the President of Ironmaster. We manufacture and sell our brand of home gym fitness equipment domestically and in more than 20 International markets. Ironmaster specializes in strength training gear, primarily of our proprietary designs. Our primary market is individuals who want to have their gym at home.
Ironmaster is a multi-million dollar company with a rock-solid reputation as an innovator, top-level service, and one of the longest established fitness equipment manufacturers in the world.
15. Become a laundry detergent manufacturer ($20K/month)
Starting a detergent powder or synthetic washing powder business is one of the most feasible business options owing to the straightforward manufacturing process involved. Detergent powder market is one segment of the FMCG market in the world with significant growth potential. Being a consumer good, people use it on a daily basis for clothes, hand wash, and kitchen utensils, and its demand is found in the market all through the year. Moreover, an entrepreneur can initiate a detergent manufacturing business with moderate capital investment.
Hello there! I’m David Watkins, CEO and a co-founder of Dirty Labs. Dirty Labs is a cleaning innovation lab created with a mission to take the ‘dirty’ out of cleaning.
The first products from the company are a line of laundry detergents that solve what we call a cleaning trilemma. For years, products have either been safe, sustainable, or effective, but rarely, if ever, all three. Our goal is to create solutions that leverage nature-inspired green chemistry to solve this problem. We’re making a significant change in the way cleaning products are formulated. We think we’ve achieved this goal with our first line of detergents tested for market-leading levels of efficacy while also making a giant leap forward in safety and sustainability.
16. Start a bread bakery
You’ve heard the term “breadwinner”, but did you know there is a growing market to bake bread, which could potentially make you a “breadmaker?” If you love baking but want to make extra money, consider a bread making business. The industry is flourishing and has tons of growing potential. On average, the typical U.S. resident consumes 37.4 pounds of bread annually. It is a small scale manufacturing business that can be started with little investment & from the comfort of your home.
17. Start a leather business ($26.2K/month)
Hello! My name is Jacques Flynn.I am the founder and owner of the leather goods company JAQET.
We now consist of a small team based in Long Beach, California where all our products are hand made under one roof. We currently sell our products in boutiques across the globe as well as through our website.
18. Start a sunglasses business ($108K/month)
I’m Cory Stout, Captain of Woodies. I started a wood sunglasses brand when I was 28 years old.
In 2018, I topped 3.5 million in revenue and somehow ended the year with less money than when I started! I bought a Bentley to celebrate…
19. Start a natural beauty product business ($22.3K/month)
Natural beauty products consist of items like: aloe vera, honey or cocoa butter. They contain no chemical or synthetic elements.
The global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.
Thinking about launching a beauty product line? What's holding you back? Check out our case studies below to see how others have done it!
Hello, my name is Mel. I run a skincare business called Flowerdale Valley. I named the business Flowerdale valley because that's where I live, in a small town called Flowerdale in country Victoria, Australia.
20. Start a phone case business ($123K/month)
With the number of mobile phone users increasing, there are opportunities for accessory makers such as phone case manufacturers to make a profit. Building a business around making and selling phone cases is relatively easier to produce. You can print labels on-demand starting with a lower risk or buy them in bulk and sell them online.
The global mobile phone protective cover market size is expected to reach 75.62 billion in the next few years.
Phone protective covers often make a statement and reflect a person’s social and cultural preferences. Phone case manufacturers take advantage of such considerations and keep their products relevant and up-to-date to attract a larger customer base.
Remember, as with any industry with a low entry barrier, there will be competition. Therefore, you must study customers' tastes and preferences and offer customized phone cases.
Hi, I’m Andrew Moore, the founder, and designer at Felony Case, a Toronto based company designing unique iPhone cases. I founded Felony Case in 2012, and since then we’ve created several flagship iPhone case designs.
21. Start a woodworking business ($14.2K/month)
While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.
Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.
My name is Sasha Weekes and I’m the 25 years old owner of Timber Grove Studios. Our home-based woodshop is nestled in the hills of PEI’s countryside, and we specialize in decorative shelving and home decor with a focus on minimalist design and simplicity. Each piece is made to order with 20+ color options, meaning it will be the perfect fit for each customer's space. We ship Canada and U.S. wide.
Moving twice in two years has definitely caused organizational, financial and opportunity hiccups, but the business has grown steadily regardless so we’re very excited about where 2020 will take us. We’ve learned what to focus on during which months, as revenue can range anywhere from $2000 during slow months to $10,000 during high months. Net profit has run anywhere between 20-50% throughout the life of the business and varies month to month. It’s closer to 20% right now as we’ve been spending all we can on new tools and materials for our new larger products and our Christmas stock.
22. Become a nuts and bolts manufacturer
Nuts and Bolts Manufacturing Business is a huge sector of the USA manufacturing economy. The importance of nuts and bolts manufacturing can not be overstated as every machine tool, appliance, and vehicle that we interact with within our everyday lives uses these tiny parts on a daily basis.
Nuts and bolts are small metal pieces that are used in a variety of applications. They are typically small enough to be held with one hand, but they can also be used as fasteners.
The use of nuts and bolts is not limited to construction. In fact, the automotive industry relies on them for the production of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The military also uses them for equipment such as tanks and other armored vehicles.
23. Start a locksmith business
Locksmith businesses make and install locking systems on residential, commercial, or automobiles. The global demand for locksmiths.
The increasing demand is driven by growing residential and commercial construction markets and disposable income per household.
Therefore, starting a locksmith business can be rewarding and profitable. To start the locksmith business, undertake the necessary locksmith training and acquire a locksmith’s license and permit. To provide quality services, you will need state-of-the-art locksmith tools and equipment.
24. Start a kitchen utensils business
Kitchen utensil sets are extremely popular among customers who find cooking fun and enjoy their kitchens. Utensils can make a difference in cooking so that you can cook your favorite dish with ease. There might be a lot of kitchen utensils manufacturers but registering your own kitchen utensils business is not tough at all.
Starting a kitchen utensils business is relatively easy. As long as you have the necessary tools and financial backing. You just need to choose the kitchen utensils and then sell them from door to door or from your cart on a busy street. Although some may find this business too simple, you can get very good profits out of it since most people today are buying kitchen utensils from the market and often buy in bulk.
We started with a bad idea initially, but through a lot of trial and error, we developed the product into something successful. We went from zero sales to $18K in sales per month after the first month upon release.
25. Become a washing machine manufacturer
The global washing machine market size is projected to grow to 80.24 billion over the next few years at a CAGR of 5.5% in the same period.
The market growth is because consumers have become inclined toward automated household chores and the products ability to save time, eliminate physical effort, and reduce drying time, especially in winter.
You can start the laundry machine manufacturing business as a proprietorship or a partnership enterprise.
My name is Frank Pedeflous and my wife Sandy and I bought a small business named Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Systems twenty-five years ago. The business originally manufactured hard window covering cleaning equipment and sold it as a business opportunity to new start-ups and retailers selling window coverings.
We bought the company originally for $535,000, and today our revenues are approximately $10,000,000 annually.
26. Start a boat propeller business
A propeller serves as the boat’s drive train and is a vital link between your boat and the water. Boat proper business focuses on selling new propellers to boat manufacturers and boat technicians or repairing damaged boat propellers.
If starting a boat propeller business, do proper research, so you find where customers are and who they are. Then, pitch them and focus on producing high-quality propellers.
27. Become a wig manufacturer
- Vivian Kaye is the creator and CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a high-end black women's textured hair extension line that has grown to $6 million in sales without using paid advertising.
- She made the decision in 2012 to start a business that offered more than just high-quality, kinky, curly, and realistic-looking textured hair extensions.
- This brand offers a collection of 100% virgin human hair that is available in 6 textures and a wide range of coverage options to help you achieve your goal.
- The enterprise prospered in 2013 and made around $500,000 in sales in just one year of launching.
Read the full story on thestar.com ➜
28. Start a candy making business
Hey, my name is Brandon Nolte, and I am one of the cofounders of Stello. After +8 years and +$10 million in sales in the CBD space, I decided to create a new company: Stello -- stress diffusing mint that helps you get calm and clear-minded, no matter what’s getting in your way.
29. Start a hair products manufacturer
- Vivian Kaye is the creator and CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a high-end black women's textured hair extension line that has grown to $6 million in sales without using paid advertising.
- She made the decision in 2012 to start a business that offered more than just high-quality, kinky, curly, and realistic-looking textured hair extensions.
- This brand offers a collection of 100% virgin human hair that is available in 6 textures and a wide range of coverage options to help you achieve your goal.
- The enterprise prospered in 2013 and made around $500,000 in sales in just one year of launching.
Read the full story on thestar.com ➜
30. Start a fishing vessels and boats production
The increased demand for fishing equipment in fishery technology will boost the global fishing vessel market. You can consider starting a fishing vessel production business if you have relevant training in machinery operation and maintenance. Your customers will be emerging and existing fishermen.
31. Become a toothpaste manufacturer
Toothpaste is one of the high on-demand dental products. If you have worked at a toothpaste manufacturing plant or understand how its production is done, you can start your business. Remember, the toothpaste market is not price-sensitive, and brand loyalty plays an important role. Therefore, ensure high-quality toothpaste to keep customers coming back to your business.
32. Start a sauce and ketchup business
Ketchup is used primarily in commercial fast-food shops, but its demand is increasing at the household level. The demand for ketchup is supported by the significant growth in the food and beverage industry.
Hello! My name is Mustafa Mannan, co-founder and co-owner of Trini Pepper Sauce by Findlay Food Group llc. Undergrad friends and I started producing two varieties of sauce, mild [also known as “Original”] and hot, five years ago.
Today, the sauce is sold in specialty stores in Raleigh and Washington DC, with the majority of sales coming from our online store front. All in all we are averaging $3000/month in revenue.
34. Become a watch maker
I’m Marcus, Co-Director of Bruder Watches Ltd, the youngest of three brothers from Bristol, United Kingdom. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality, timeless watches that don’t break the bank. Our company is in its infancy but we have already seen a fantastic appetite for our new range of timepieces called "Fortis". The range consists of five watch styles each designed to look great whatever the occasion. Our company was born at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, so as you can imagine, logistically, it wasn’t without its challenges getting to where we are today.
Success in 2021 for Bruder is about continuing to grow our brand and engage with our customer base. We will expect to break even around August from our initial start-up cost of around $17,000.
Article Sources:
- Manufacturing Industry Statistics at NIST.gov
- Quarterly Report on Manufacturing at UNIDO.org
- United States Manufacturing Statistics at NAM.org
- Manufacturing: NAICS 31-33 at BLS.org
- Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP) at WorldBank.org
More business ideas
- 35. Become a camera manufacturer
- 36. Become a manufacturing cake molds
- 37. Become a cookie cutter manufacturer
- 38. Become a window manufacturer
39. Become a medical equipment manufacturer
Unlimited Tomorrow, a medical equipment manufacturing company, was founded in 2014 by Easton LaChappelle.
TrueLimb is their main product: an affordable, lightweight, and intuitive bionic arm.
In 2018, the company raised $1.6 million in less than a month. They put this toward funding a full-scale production line for TrueLimb.
TrueLimb costs $7,995, and if a child outgrows the piece, they upcycle the components and replace it for about $4,000.
Read the full article on forbes.com ➜
More business ideas
- 40. Become a security gadget manufacturer
- 41. Become an organic fertilizer producer
- 42. Start an embroidery machine manufacturer
- 43. Start an air freshener producer
- 44. Start a golf club manufacturer
- 45. Start an insecticide producer
- 46. Start a cloth diaper business
47. Become a snowboard manufacturer
Snowboarding is a fun-filled winter outdoor activity. Every year, thousands of snowboarding aficionados travel to snow-covered surfaces for snowboarding. The recreational and competitive winter sports activity has created a lucrative business opportunity for snowboard manufacturers.
More business ideas
- 48. Start a plastic container manufacturer
- 49. Become a chalk manufacturer
- 50. Start a canned goods making business
- 51. Become a belt manufacturer
- 52. Become an electrical fittings producer
- 53. Become a ceramic tile manufacturer
- 54. Start a cement manufacturer
- 55. Become a drug manufacturer
- 56. Start a lattice manufacturer
- 57. Start an automotive parts manufacturing
58. Start a cotton buds business
Cotton buds are commonly used to clean the ear canals by removing earwax, applying and removal of makeup, and cleaning arts and craftwork.
Cotton bud business is one of the most profitable to start, and it is not difficult for any person who wants to get into entrepreneurship. One can launch a small-scale cotton bud manufacturing company and grow it by re-investing the profits.
59. Start a disposable plates and cups business
Nowadays, people are shifting towards disposable cutlery, not only as an affordable option but also as an eco-friendlier choice.
Disposable plates and cups are a single serving and can be recycled or disposed of easily. These eco-friendly plates and cups provide a more convenient option for serving eatables during events and parties.
Furthermore, experts estimate that demand for disposable cutlery will keep rising as people consistently adopt takeaway food chains, fast-food consumption, small commercial eateries, and even roadside food vendors.
With the need for disposable plates and cups set to increase, starting a business in this sector can be a lucrative opportunity. The opportunities in this industry range from manufacturing to wholesale to retail.
More business ideas
- 60. Start a salt production
- 61. Start a nail polish making business
62. Start a vinegar production business
Vinegar is a popular household item with surprising benefits. Experts project that the global vinegar market will grow by a CAGR of 1.6% to reach $1.43 billion in a few years.
Therefore, starting a vinegar production company in 2022 could be a highly profitable business for you. To start the vinegar production plant, identify the source of raw materials and research the market potential. Map out your target customers and identify the competitors.
Focus on delivering quality products to the market and ensure a good marketing plan.
More business ideas
- 63. Start a food color manufacturer
- 64. Start a juice production business
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