Howdy folks, so I have been thinking about being a composites distributor. locally I have a pre preg manufacturing plant next to me that has offered me killer deals. i have the ability to get all types of prepregs with any weave or resin temps as well as raw carbon cloth.
How would a business like this do?
Comments welcome!
It would do well…one customer build at a time providing pricing and customer service was great.
Depends totally on shipment and marketing. Find out how many potential customers there are, and how many you would be able to reach them. I guess the trick is in information. Create a webshop, SEO it to the max, and on the shop offer all basic info needed in a fixed setup, so people do not get confused.
-weave style (like carbon 5.7 oz twill weave)
-resin (VTM266, 5h @ 120C)
-resin content (48%)
-application (general purpose)
Recommended cure cycle: ramp with 30C/h to 80C, leave for 1h, ramp with 20C/h to 120C, leave for 5h
-picture
(just an example, no true values)
Also show on some seperate pages how to use it.
Sell vacuum materials in small quantities as well.
Find out about cold boxes (they have small dry ice containers and are padded with styrofoam). Find out about decent shipping (fast, reliable and cheap). UPS could make a good deal (ask for a rep to visit you) but there are others as well.
Then go for it!
If you need more info on the SEO bit, I could make you a list.
Yeah the manufacture has all the data sheets, most of their pre preg doesnt hold a catalist so you wouldnt have to pay for hazardous material handling and the best thing is I could sell in small quanities and they will sell any weave any % you want and alot of it can be stored at room temps!
You have to worry about your in and output as well. If you can set up a deal with the prepregger and get what you need as needed, then there isn’t a problem. Ship cold nonetheless, invest in a dry ice block maker, or find a local that does that. EVEN if it can be stored at room temp. Out time is out time. Dry ice does count as a hazardous shipping material, check laws. If you need to buy rolls and kit yourself, make sure you invest in a bagging/sealing machine and desiccant. No prepreg should be without proper desiccant and a sealed shipping bag!! All in all, it might be a good idea if you can sort out deals. MANY people will want small quantities of prepreg!!! I’d start out with common resins/fibers, and if your demand grows, get more variety.