If you’ve landed on this article page, you’re probably searching for a
good business idea—an idea that’s light on the pocket but heavy on
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How
To Start a Successful Bolts and Nuts Business in Nigeria
Starting a bolts and nuts business doesn’t depend on technical
certificates, just a basic knowledge of the specifics is needed.
You can even hire brains to do the technical aspects of the
business.
Nuts and bolts have their own specific use but cannot be used
without the other. A Nut is a a type of fastener with one
threaded hole, a
Bolt on the other hand is a metallic with around stem threaded
into the hole of a nut. Both when used in conjunction are used
to put two objects together and to function.
Manufacturing bolts and nuts is a highly profitable business in
Nigeria. It has less competition compared to other businesses.
All you need is a little experience and a reasonable capital and
every other thing will fall in place.
Bolts can come in a wide range of different sizes and shapes,
but the basic production process generally remains the same. It
starts with cold forging steel wire into the right shape,
followed by heat treating to improve strength and surface
treating to improve durability, before being packed for
shipment. However, for more advanced bolt designs, the
production process can expand by a number of additional steps.
Heat treatment
Heat treatment is a standard process for all bolts, which
involves exposing the bolt to extreme temperatures in order to
harden the steel. Threading is usually applied before heat
treatment, either by rolling or cutting when the steel is
softer. Rolling works much like cold forging, and involves
running the bolt through a die to shape and mold the steel into
threads. Cutting involves forming threads by cutting and
removing steel.
Since heat treatment will change the properties of the steel to
make it harder, it is easier and more cost-effective to apply
threading beforehand. However, threading after heat treatment
will mean better fatigue performance.
“The heat treatment can cause heat marks and minor damage to the
bolt,” explains Henrik Oscarson. “For this reason, some
customers demand threading after heat treatment, especially for
applications like engine and cylinder head bolts. It’s a more
expensive process since you need to form hardened steel, but the
threads will maintain their shape better.”
Size and surface
For long bolts, where the length is more than ten times the
bolt’s diameter, the heat treatment can have the effect of
making the steel revert to the round shape of the original steel
wire. Therefore, a process of straightening often needs to be
applied.
The choice of surface treatment is determined by the bolt’s
application and the requirements of the customer. Often, the
main concern for fasteners is corrosion resistance, and
therefore a zinc-plated coating applied through electrolytic
treatment is a common solution. This is a process whereby the
bolt is submerged in a liquid containing zinc, and an electric
current is applied so that the zinc forms a coating over the
bolt. However, electrolytic treatment does come with an
increased risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Another option is zinc
flakes, which offer even higher corrosion resistance, albeit at
a higher price.
When corrosion resistance is not an issue – such as inside an
engine or an application that is regularly exposed to oil –
using phosphate is a more cost-effective option. Once the
surface treatment has been applied, standard bolts are typically
ready to be packaged. However, more advanced designs may require
some additional assembly, such as brackets. Other bolts will
also require some form of patching, either a locking patch or a
liquid patch. A locking patch consists of a thick nylon layer
over the threads, which helps improve grip. A liquid patch will
help improve thread-forming torque.
Once these steps are complete, the bolt is finished. Now all
that remains is some form of quality control to ensure
uniformity and consistency before the bolts can be packaged and
shipped.
Capitalize on quality products: production of high-quality bolts
and nuts will give you an edge over your competitors who settle
for lesser quality. Hence this will send customers flowing like
the ocean towards your business.
Topography: choose a location that is very well-leveled and
suitable for your manufacturing business. It shouldn’t be an
area where you will have to make extra expenses leveling the
surfaces and breaking huge rocks. Also, make sure the location
is not too far from residents and make sure the roads to your
industry are easily accessible.
Closeness to raw materials and other useful services: ensure
that the location is very close to the source of your raw
materials, so also it should be closer to other useful services
like power and water.
Very close to distribution centers: before choosing a location
you should take a mental note of the possible distribution
centers near you. Triangulate and get your business closer to
them.
Security: this is very important, check if the location is safe
and devoid of any tribal land dispute. You don’t get your
business burnt down overnight.
The manpower required to run a nuts and bolts manufacturing
business would be:
3- unskilled workers, 2- semi skilled workers, 6- skilled
workers, 1- accountant,1- production manager
Moreover these workers must also be provided with training in
terms of machine usage, equipment handling, safety and
precaution measures etc
Capital: as with all business good capital is needed to set a
business towards the dream objective. The amount of capital
depends on the size and scale of your business. You should
factor in the cost of getting land, setting it up, obtaining
paperwork, and purchasing the required equipment.
Machinery/equipment: sourcing and purchasing the appropriate
machinery and equipment is one way to deliver the planned
production output. The types of machine depends on your scale of
production and the type of quality you seek.
Here are some primary equipment to consider purchasing; Screw
rolling machines, Lathe, Milling machines, Thread cutting
machines, Grinding machines, Cutting gears
This isn’t an exhaustive list of the processes needed to start
bolts and nuts business in Nigeria. But if you get the ones
listed right, others will fall in place. Like, sourcing raw
materials(steel, brass, aluminum, bronze, nickel, etc), picking
a good location, creating a logo, and all and all.
Types of Bolts & Nuts and their uses
Carriage bolt : With its round head is used to connect the
prices of wood.
Machine screw bolt : It is used for the purpose of general
utility.
Stud bolt : It is used when additional length is required.
J-bolt, U-bolt, eyebolt: These are used to support hanging items
and have no heads.
Square / hex nut : It is used because of its square or hexed
shape, thickness and the fact that it comes in varieties.
Wing nut : It is used when materials are used to be removed and
replaced to often, it can be loosened or tightened by hand.
Log nut : Similar to square nut nut comes with threaded nylon
inserts in order to prevent loosening.
Setting up a Bolts and nuts business in Nigeria is extremely
lucrative because infrastructural development is now at the helm
of other matters. Majorly all manufacturing and coupling
industries need fasteners like bolts and nuts to fasten their
finished products.
Setting up a bolt and nut business isn’t rocket science, just
get good capital, get the appropriate documentation, and above
all collaborate with other similar businesses to stay updated.
Get our Pratical Training guide on How to set a Bolts and Nuts
Business in Nigeria. The Bolts and Nuts Business
plan provides a detailed roadmap for entrepreneurs
seeking to dive into the Bolts and Nuts Business in Nigeria. The
plan offers an in-depth analysis of essential commercial
elements, equipping you with actionable insights to build a
robust foundation for your venture. It meticulously explores the
nuances of your business idea and considers the local market
dynamics, competitive landscape, and the driving forces behind
market growth.
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