Business production of countertops made of artificial stone. Do I need permission to open? How much money do you need to start a business?

Let's consider whether it is profitable to engage in the production of countertops as a business. After all, simple technology is used for this, and the equipment will not be expensive. Even a novice businessman can engage in such a business, but to maintain the quality of the products, you need to hire an experienced, qualified specialist.

And even if there are many competing countertop manufacturing companies on the market in your region, this type of business is still attractive. After all, it is enough to find several clients who will order countertops for kitchen sets from you on an ongoing basis.

Business benefits

Today, almost all the furniture in a person’s home consists of many horizontal surfaces. But when producing various sets, it is not profitable for companies to open an additional workshop for the production of countertops. It is much easier to order them from a private entrepreneur, who will make everything according to an individual sketch.

In this case, it is much more profitable for them to cooperate with local manufacturers, since they will not have to overpay for the delivery of material from afar. By providing quality products, you can be sure of long-term close work.

The distinctive advantages of a countertop manufacturing business are:

constant demand for products exceeding supply;
high profitability, quick payback;
minimal expenses at the initial stage;
a wide range of applications for such products, which makes it possible to maximize the circle of potential customers.

When working with large furniture companies, you save yourself from contacts with the end consumer, and all risks and errors in the drawings fall on the shoulders of the company. The entrepreneur turns out to be a simple performer and in the case of additional work, his services are paid accordingly.

Types of countertops

Today the furniture market is rich in various offers. If we take into account the materials from which the countertops are made, we can distinguish the following options:

Laminated chipboard is characterized by low cost, ease of manufacture, and also good quality characteristics. This type of countertops is resistant to fading and even with active use lasts quite a long time. At the same time, it can have a very different appearance, imitating other materials. Enables designers to create interesting and unique interior variations. But when moisture gets in, it deteriorates quite quickly - it swells and becomes deformed.
Stainless steel - for all its strength and reliability in operation, it has a limited choice of shades and shapes. They can only be rectangular. If the client wishes, a decorative pattern can be applied to the surface.
Solid wood, for all its beauty and naturalness, has a number of disadvantages. In addition to the fact that this material is expensive, it also requires careful and careful care. And although the surface is covered with various protective substances, it still loses its attractive appearance over time due to excess moisture, water, temperature changes and exposure to sunlight.
Agglomerate - consists of a frame on which there is no substrate, due to which it turns out to be much thinner. This material is considered moisture resistant and does not deteriorate from hot dishes. In appearance it resembles natural stone, but is much lighter in weight.
Granite, basalt, marble - despite all their beauty and naturalness, they have a high price and require careful handling during operation.
Acrylic, artificial stone is the most popular type of countertops, the manufacture of which we will focus on. The fact is that this material has maximum advantages - it is cheap, easy to produce, provides a variety of shapes and colors, is resistant to wear and moisture, and is also environmentally friendly.

If you choose which countertops to make yourself in the form of a small business, then it is better to give preference to acrylic options. Of course, it will be more difficult to do this at home, so we will describe the organization of the enterprise taking into account the opening of a separate workshop.

Registration

Before starting production and searching for regular customers, you need to register as an individual entrepreneur or LLC. In the first case, the tax and state duty will be significantly lower, and the processing time will be shorter. When creating a legal entity, you can count on broad prospects, hire more employees and work to increase capital turnover.

To register you will need the following documents:

passport;
receipt of payment of the state contribution;
identification code;
statement.

Upon receipt of the certificate, you will also need to register with the statistical authorities and the pension fund. Do not forget to choose a more favorable tax system using a simplified scheme.

OKVED must correspond to the chosen type of activity of your production. Usually this is 36.13 for the manufacture of kitchen furniture or its elements, 36.14 - the production of other furniture (if you plan to make window sills, bar counters, washbasins) and 26.66 - which involves the production of various products from cement, concrete or plaster. This option is just suitable for the manufacture of countertops made of artificial stone.

Also, when opening an enterprise, the appropriate permits and agreements will be required:

From Rospotrebnadzor.
From the sanitary and epidemiological service, which will check the condition of the premises and the working conditions of the staff.
Availability of PPC.
Concluded agreements on waste disposal and garbage removal.
Other agreements on the provision of utilities, ventilation cleaning, etc.
As well as a conclusion from the fire inspectorate.

You can clarify the list of requirements for organizing a business in local government services.

Creation of a workshop

When choosing a premises for production, you need to focus on its size, which should be about 40-50 square meters. m. This is exactly the space that is enough to install the necessary equipment for a small or medium-sized business. Also consider storage locations for raw materials, consumables and finished products.

For all tools to work smoothly, you will need to supply 380 W of electricity. To create high-quality products you need water, so make sure it is available in the workshop. The temperature of the room is also important. In addition to the fact that workers should be comfortable there at any time of the year, the products themselves require a certain temperature and ventilation to dry quickly.

Equipment and tools

It’s worth noting right away that since most tabletops are made to individual orders and in various sizes, it makes no sense to install an expensive stationary format-cutting machine. All forms will have to be made with your own hands or ordered from other entrepreneurs.

Pay more attention to the tools and working surfaces:

1600 W milling cutter – for smoothing out irregularities, seams, and creating shaped elements;
grinder - for finishing products;
a jigsaw without a pendulum stroke - for cutting large sheets;
assembly tables;
vibrating table;
mixers for preparing solutions according to recipe;
cement bunker;
packing machine if necessary.

At the same time, you will still need to purchase consumables - sandpaper, buckets, trowels, nozzles, trimmers, sanding papers, polishes, clamps, glue, etc.

Forms, that is, matrices for creating countertops, are supposed to be made for a specific order. To do this, you can make them yourself or purchase ready-made ones.

Manufacturing technology

When working with the machine, you must follow safety rules and be able to handle equipment and expensive materials. The process of producing countertops itself consists of the following stages:

Creating a drawing, which is usually done by a furniture company. You, as a performer, are given a ready-made scheme.
A common sheet of material is cut according to the specified parameters.
Process the edges and seams, align the sides.
Glue all the parts together and remove excess material.
The protruding parts are rounded, processed and polished.
If necessary, additional holes are made - for a sink, installation of household appliances, etc.
Level all surfaces and polish them. Sometimes a special coating is required.

Staff

Since this activity requires certain specific knowledge and skills, it is important to hire a specialist with extensive experience in the production of countertops from the selected material. For small volumes, one professional and one auxiliary worker are enough. If you are going to produce large orders and cooperate with many companies, you will have to hire more qualified personnel.

Remember that the quality of the products will depend on the raw materials used and the level of workers. Therefore, you should not save on these two important components of your business. Set a decent salary for highly qualified employees so that they are interested in your overall development.

Financial calculations

When making products for sale, you want to receive an appropriate profit for it. Therefore, you need to write out the entire business plan in numbers at the initial stage in order to assess the profitability of production and understand how much you need to spend at the start. We present the average indicators in the tables.

In addition, you will have to take into account monthly expenses.

With an established sales market, you can expect that in a month you will produce and sell at least 35 meters of finished products. If you set the cost per 1 sq. m of product in the amount of 13,500 rubles, then the total income will be 472,500 monthly. The net profit in this case will be 132,500 rubles per month. As a result, you will fully recoup your initial investment within six months.

But these are only approximate figures, since you can produce much more products or set prices above the minimum. Then the profitability of the business improves and the time to reach a net profit is significantly reduced. Everything will depend on coordinated work at every stage.

Sales market

Countertop manufacturers rarely seek customers directly. They usually cooperate with furniture companies and large companies engaged in home renovation and improvement. You can also enter into contracts with retail stores or open your own small pavilion where customers can make individual orders for their needs.

create a business card website where high-quality images of finished products will be displayed;
create a clear and understandable price list;
get beautiful paper business cards and distribute them to your friends;
have product samples available to clearly show the range;
you need to be well versed in all the intricacies of production in order to answer questions from potential clients at any time;
offer discounts on the first batch of goods.

Independent production

If it seems to you that equipping a workshop and reaching high delivery rates is too expensive to begin with, then you can get by with smaller investments. To do this, it is enough to do most of the work yourself, without hiring employees and without purchasing expensive equipment.

To do this, you must have some experience in making countertops from artificial stone, wood, chipboard or other selected material. You can also set up a workshop in a garage. In terms of tools, you will definitely need to get a jigsaw, a miter saw or a circular saw, a grinder, a glue gun and a cutter.

You still can’t do without purchasing raw materials and workpieces, so your initial investment should cover the cost of the material. When doing the work on your own, you need to:

Measure the place where you plan to install the countertop.
Create a drawing using exact data.
Cut the material and cut it into elements.
Trim the edges, finish the edges, create a frame.
Sand and polish the surface.

Doing all this manually and independently will require a lot of time. Therefore, when you decide that you have enough regular customers and a desire to develop in this area of business, it is still more profitable to hire workers for labor-intensive areas and purchase equipment to speed up the technological process.

Video: making countertops from artificial stone.

Manufacturing countertops from artificial stone business idea. Artificial stone manufacturing technology.

Stone countertops and sinks are very popular and are very often used by designers to decorate the interiors of kitchens and bathrooms. This article will discuss the technology of manufacturing stone countertops using the spraying method using liquid stone. This technology allows you to cover almost any hard surface with stone, it can be either a flat surface of a chipboard table or an intricately shaped metal sink. The cost of manufacturing 1 m² of artificial stone surface is $50 - $80, the retail price is already 2 - 3 times higher. In cooperation with cabinet furniture manufacturers, it is possible to establish a fairly profitable production of stone countertops.

This technology describes the manufacture of countertops, sinks and window sills by spraying polyester gelcoat and adding crushed natural quartz.

Let's look at the example of making a countertop.

A blank is cut out of chipboard, taking into account the future stone coating along the edges (at least 5 mm from each edge).

The next stage is preparing the mold; a flat surface of the desktop is used as a mold; you can use a sheet of glass. Formwork is installed and secured from pieces of chipboard. The entire surface of the mold is rubbed with wax mastic, which will serve as insulation between the mold and the solution.

The first 3 layers of transparent gelcoat without dye are applied to the surface of the mold with a spray gun, each layer is applied only after the previous layer has begun to polymerize.

Preparation of the main mixture.

Mix the mixture:

3 parts gelcoat.
1 part quartz.
Dye.

Quartz granules must be pre-washed with water; if there is heavy contamination, cleaning will be required. Quartzite is immersed for several minutes in a solution of water and detergent with the addition of hydrofluoric acid, then the granules are washed with water and dried.

The gelcoat is poured into the container, a dye is added depending on what shade is required, crushed quartz is poured in and everything is mixed, the hardener is added immediately before using the mixture, the setting time after adding the hardener is 15 - 20 minutes.

The mixture is applied with a brush evenly over the entire surface; several layers of the main mixture can be applied.

The next stage is to reinforce the structure, insert glass mat and roll it with a roller.

Immediately place the chipboard tabletop blank into the mold and press down on top with a weight.

Pouring the last layer (resin 1 kg calcite 1.5 kg, with hardener).

The polymerization process lasts at least 4 hours; after final hardening, the workpiece is removed from the mold.

The final stage is processing, grinding, polishing the stone surface of the countertop.

If it is necessary to apply a coating to the sink, then first apply a layer of primer, then the main layer and the top transparent one of gelcoat. The product is also sanded and polished.

Production of countertops from artificial stone.

Countertops made of artificial stone have high strength and wear resistance, as well as high decorative characteristics. For the production of countertops, you can use ready-made mixtures with compositions and dyes from various manufacturers: MARON GLACE, GRANISTONE and others. Each manufacturer has its own technology for applying liquid stone to the surface, but the manufacturing principle is the same.

It’s not difficult to master production technology; if you collaborate with furniture manufacturers and work to order, you can open your own business producing countertops, window sills, sinks, etc.

Production of countertops from artificial stone business.

Popular business ideas

Printing photos on mugs

Not long ago we talked about how to establish . Furniture with elements made from such material is highly valued by consumers and is in stable demand, despite the rather high price. Is it possible to set up our own production of stone countertops so that the price of the products is affordable for the majority of potential buyers? After all, such a product will be in constant demand.

Not long ago, a new technology appeared on the market, developed and patented by Maxim Popov (director of the Minplastan company). It opened up new opportunities for the production of quality goods at low prices. After all, all raw materials for the production of artificial stone can be purchased in Russia. This makes it possible, based on new technology, to build a profitable business for the production of artificial stone countertops. Let's look at the benefits of such a business with the advent of new technology.

First of all, it is the relatively low cost of materials ( 1800 rub. per square meter), necessary for the manufacture of tabletops. This roughly corresponds to the cost of a regular countertop, including processing. Moreover, all these materials are widely distributed, which makes it possible to find regional suppliers of raw materials.

This simplifies delivery and ensures price stability that is not sensitive to currency fluctuations. In addition, the production of stone countertops using new technology, waste-free, that is, you don’t have to get rid of unusable materials or rack your brain about how they can be recycled.

In addition, the requirements for production premises are low, which allows you to save on renting premises, or even makes it possible to purchase it as your own. There are different ways to benefit from the proposed technology. Furniture manufacturers can increase the attractiveness of their products by equipping them with accessories of their own production, instead of chipboard tabletops. The consumer quality of the product will increase significantly. At the same time, it is enough to increase the price by the amount of production cost, that is, only by 1 - 2 thousand rubles. As a result, purchasing such a kitchen will be very attractive to the consumer.

Or you can simply organize production for further sale to local furniture manufacturers. Few furniture manufacturers have their own production. But the opportunity to buy countertops at a price several times lower than their European counterparts from a local manufacturer will be of interest to many of them.

At the moment, the minimum cost per linear meter of countertops is is about 6,500 rubles. With the help of new technology, setting the price even at 2000 rubles, you will receive a fairly high profit.

But this price could be higher. Thus, when determining your pricing policy, MinPlastan technology will give you a great advantage. Using the capabilities of technology, you can organize profitable production that will bring a stable income. Moreover, this business niche is not yet fully occupied.

The developer of the technology offers to get acquainted with its nuances by purchasing detailed video instructions, which describe step by step all aspects of production and the materials used. Those wishing to pass free additional training at the author’s production facility in Chelyabinsk, can be done by prior registration on the developer’s website ( minplastan.ru)

When choosing a material for a countertop, special attention is paid to its strength. The finished product must be beautiful, reliable, and well resistant to mechanical damage, moisture and chemicals. Stone meets all the requirements perfectly, but it is very expensive, so it makes sense to choose artificial analogues. They are not perfect and have their own shortcomings that you should be aware of. Let's look at the types, features of materials and figure out how you can make a countertop from artificial stone with your own hands

There are many varieties of artificial stone. These are concrete, gypsum, lime mortar, clay brick. Most often, countertops made of artificial stone mean the following products:

Tabletop made of artificial stone in the interior

Concrete. The material is successfully used in construction and interior design. This is an excellent option for making a massive, high-strength countertop that can last for several decades. Using various additives, you can make an aesthetic product that will become a worthy decoration of the kitchen.

From ready-made artificial stone. The material can be bought in the store. It is produced in the form of finished sheets 3-12 mm. It is fixed to a pre-prepared base. The result is a beautiful and durable coating that can withstand heavy loads. If scratches appear, it is easy to repair the artificial stone countertop yourself.

Made from ceramic tiles. This type of product would look most appropriate in the bathroom, but can be a good option for decorating a kitchen set. Making such a countertop from artificial stone with your own hands is much easier than from concrete or ready-made material. Plywood or OSB is used as a base.

Difference between polymers and natural materials

Artificial stone gained real popularity with the advent of polymer materials and their processing technologies. It is used to decorate interiors, facades, and landscapes. Polymers are used to make beautiful decorations for walls, floors, steps, borders, and decorative elements.

Products made from polymers are almost as strong as natural stone, and their appearance can be even more impressive thanks to special dyes and additives. As for the convenience of finishing, here too polymers have certain advantages. The material is produced in the form of thin slabs, which simplifies the work, and the finished finish does not create unnecessary load on the structure.

Color and texture of artificial stone

Natural stone has a more porous structure than artificial stone. For example, marble absorbs dirt and noticeable stains from coffee, wine, etc. remain on it. They can only be removed by polishing. Polymer surfaces are denser and less susceptible to contamination. Compared to sandstone, they are more durable and do not crack.

The pattern of natural stone is unique and beautiful, but the color range is still limited. The possibilities for people using artificial material are wider. They can choose resins with different color additives and greater design potential. Such materials are used to decorate not only countertops, but also kitchen aprons, and they are used to create panels.

Artificial stone for making countertops

In the photo, countertops made of artificial stone are indistinguishable from products made from natural stone, but this is not their only advantage. There are others:

Uniformity. When using natural stone, you constantly have to select tiles of the appropriate shade. With polymers, this problem disappears by itself: the entire surface has the same color and texture.

Size and shape. Tiles of polymer material are made of a predetermined size and shape. This makes working with it much easier, because... there is no need to perform sawing operations.

Smooth lines in kitchen design

Smoothness. Sawing, polishing and sanding hard materials is expensive. Polymers have a smooth surface, so the work can be reduced in cost.

Kitchen apron and countertop in the same style

Ability to use carpentry tools. To process artificial stone, you can use familiar tools that are found in almost every home.

Minimum amount of waste. Due to the fact that many material processing operations are simplified, a minimum of waste remains. Polymers can be immediately given the required shape without additional adjustment.

Unconventional color solutions

No transportation costs. By making artificial marble or granite with your own hands, the owner of the premises saves himself from the costs of transportation and lifting heavy slabs to the desired floor.

Pleasant temperature. Polymers are warmer and more pleasant to the touch than natural stone. It's more comfortable to work with them.

Note! The cost of artificial stone seems acceptable only in comparison with natural stone. If we compare its price with the costs of MDF, ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, and natural wood, then it is noticeably higher. Stone is always quite expensive.

Corner kitchen with composite worktop

Features of acrylic and agglomerated materials

There are acrylic and agglomerated artificial stone. Both materials are pleasant to look at and have their own advantages and disadvantages. Acrylic stone consists of mineral particles bonded together using acrylic resin. Agglomerate is a material made from crushed chips of natural stone. This is usually quartz, granite or marble.

What to consider when purchasing acrylic stone

You can make acrylic stone yourself. It's smooth and beautiful, but it scratches easily. Damage is most visible on glossy dark surfaces, so when developing a countertop design, you should take into account not only aesthetics, but also functionality. Thus, black, gray or brown surfaces will become more expressive if you add inclusions of other tones, and at the same time scratches on them will not be noticeable.

Another disadvantage of acrylic material is its poor resistance to high temperatures. A hot frying pan can leave a noticeable stain on the surface and ruin its appearance. On the other hand, regular polishing easily solves the problem. To repair the countertop, you do not need to remove it; any defects can be corrected on the spot. All you need to do is polish the surface yourself or contact a company that provides similar services.

Agglomerates – beauty and durability for centuries

Agglomerated stone is extremely durable. It is used to make luxurious interior items that can last for decades. They look status-worthy, but have a number of disadvantages. The main ones are heavy weight and difficulty in processing. Agglomerates are much more difficult to install compared to acrylic materials.

Countertops made of agglomerated stone are resistant to high temperatures, mechanical damage, and contamination. It is impossible to cut surfaces with kitchen appliances, but it is still better not to experiment and use special boards and stands. When cleaning, avoid household chemicals containing abrasives. Such products leave marks and surfaces lose their soft shine. The problem can also be solved by polishing.

Advice. When choosing a stone for a countertop, always ask the sellers questions regarding the operating conditions of the products. Be sure to read the technical documentation and manufacturer's recommendations. Knowing about the shortcomings of the material, you can decide in advance whether it is suitable for you or if you should look for another. Another option is surface treatment with a special protective compound.

Quartz conglomerate: what's special about it

This is a relatively new type of artificial stone. It is stronger than acrylic material and better withstands high temperatures (up to +150 degrees). It looks like granite or marble and is just as labor-intensive to process. Quartz conglomerate is produced in the form of slabs. The countertops are made of slabs 1400x3050 mm.

Depending on the thickness of the stone and the brand, prices can range from 12-29 thousand rubles per 1 sq. m. Import brands QuartzMaster (Germany), Silestone (Spain), Caesarstone (Israel), HanStone (South Korea), Samsung Radianz (South Korea), Cambria (USA) deserve special attention.

Why choose liquid stone for countertops

Liquid stone is the lining of a prepared surface with mixtures of polymer resins and special fillers. First, a sheet of chipboard is cut to shape, coated with a primer, and a layer of finishing compound is sprayed on top.

The technology of applying liquid stone is fundamentally different from the manufacture of products with sheet material, which is attached to the surface using a composition of the same color so that the joints are not visible.

The coating is resistant to corrosion, retains its color for a long time, and resists mechanical damage well. Fungi and mold do not grow on the material, and it does not absorb dirt. Damaged areas are easy to restore.

The disadvantages of liquid stone include its strong dependence on changes occurring in the base. Chipboard and fiberboard sheets are subject to deformation when exposed to moisture. Due to the fact that the material is applied in a thin layer, it, just like the base, can change its shape.

The choice of colors and textures of liquid stone is smaller than that of acrylic, but many buyers still choose it. In this case, ease of application is of prime importance. The buyer can make a solid countertop with a sink from liquid stone with his own hands. The coating will be neat and seamless.

Original kitchen design with liquid stone

How to make a stone countertop with your own hands

To begin with, prepare a sketch and drawing of the future product. If we are talking about replacing elements of an existing set, no design problems arise: you can simply copy the old tabletop and make a new one based on the obtained dimensions. If you need to make new furniture, then it makes sense to find on the Internet and look at photos of countertops made of artificial stone. This can enrich with new design ideas.

The simplest option is a rectangular countertop for a linear kitchen. The most difficult thing to design is a U-shaped set. If there is no experience, then it is better to entrust the design and manufacture of such furniture to professional craftsmen. They will create a solid surface with a sink, on which seams and joints will not be visible.

Stage 1: measure and design

The dimensions for the new tabletop are taken from the base of the set. The optimal working surface depth is 600 mm. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the allowance for the end and edge - 5 mm. Accordingly, the depth will be 605 mm.

Next, a sketch of the product is prepared on graph paper. This is a draft; technological holes are not marked in it.

Drawing of a simple rectangular tabletop

The next stage is preparing a cardboard model on a scale of 1:1. It is best to take a solid strip of rigid material of the required size.

The finished model is “tried on”, laid out in the same way as it is planned to make a stone countertop. It is important to make sure that there are no gaps between the wall and the cardboard and that the product is not skewed.

If necessary, the layout is adjusted. If the kitchen is corner, then the cardboard blank is cut into pieces.

Stage 2: preparing the mold

To make a countertop from artificial stone with your own hands, you will need a casting mixture and a mold. If the mixture can simply be bought at a hardware store, then difficulties may arise with the form.

The cheapest option is to make the formwork yourself from chipboard. You can also find industrially produced polyurethane or silicone molds. Such expenses will pay off if you plan to use it repeatedly in the future. For a one-time use, it’s not worth spending so much.

Work order:

A template for the future product is made from chipboard and installed on the assembly table.

The chipboard strips are pressed tightly against the template, and the stops are attached with hot-melt adhesive. It turns out to be formwork. Its seams should be sealed with plasticine.

The plasticine is carefully leveled and the excess is removed. The work should be done as carefully as possible, because... the appearance of the edge of the future product depends on this

The finished formwork is thoroughly cleaned, dust-free, and covered with a layer of wax from the inside. It is important that it is uniform, without differences. Wax is needed to separate the frozen mixture from the mold.

The formwork is completely ready for pouring acrylic gel with filler and hardener.

Stage 3: making the tabletop

It is necessary to prepare the casting mixture. It consists of resin, fillers, dyes and additives that accelerate hardening. All components are mixed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

The finished mixture is evenly distributed in the formwork. You should get a layer of 5-6 mm.

A chipboard template is placed on top, and a weight is placed on it. You need to make sure that the template does not squeeze the casting mixture out.

The product should remain under load for 25-30 minutes. After this, it is removed, and the next layer is poured onto the first layer of the mixture. The resin should flow into the gaps and crevices to create the edges of the tabletop.

It will take a day for the mixture to dry. Then the formwork is carefully removed, and the finished product is ground, polished, and mounted on the headset frame.

Casting mixtures and separating compounds

Gypsum mixture. Suitable gypsum grades G5 - G7. The compositions set quickly, so they are prepared in small portions. To slow down the hardening process, use citric acid (0.3% by weight of the base material). To select a shade, the components are mixed in different proportions and test samples are made. The best composition for separating the formwork from the product is wax + turpentine (1:7).
Concrete mixture. To prepare such a mixture, pigments that are resistant to alkalis are selected. The base is sand (1 part) and cement (3 parts). It is best to use polymer additives to increase strength and abrasion resistance. A suitable separating composition is cyatim, emulsol or litol.
Acrylic mixture. It is made from acrylic (1 part) and filler (3 parts). The volume of pigment should be 2-6% by weight of the filler. A hardener is added to the resin and only then a filler with pigment. To reduce the cost of production, you can use crumbs of any rock or gravel as a filler. You can separate the shape and the product using cyatim. An option is a solution of stearin in styrene (1:10).

Advice. The cheapest option is concrete mixture. The appearance of the finished countertop is not as impressive as when using plaster or acrylic, but the product will be durable, repairable and extremely durable. Concrete countertops are built to last.

One of the most popular areas of the furniture business today is the production of countertops. The demand for these products significantly exceeds supply, so your own production business can bring good dividends over time.

Furniture is an integral part of the interior of any living space and an essential element of comfort. Therefore, furniture production is one of the most promising types of business, generating impressive income.

Market analysis

With the introduction of new capacities in the production of chipboards, the situation in the modern tabletop market has changed significantly. Of course, not all problems were solved, but according to statistics and the words of the manufacturers themselves, it is now much easier to obtain raw materials.

As a result, the production of countertops has increased, and their range has expanded. Domestic manufacturers present products not only from plastic-lined slabs, but also from structural plastic, solid wood, vestibule, and stainless steel.

Competitive advantages

Eating occupies an essential place in people's lives and everyday life. The table plays a key role in the interior of the apartment. In addition to dining tables, kitchen cabinets are covered with countertops. Therefore, the production of countertops cannot be unclaimed.

The main buyers of tabletops are companies that produce cabinet furniture.

They will certainly give preference to a domestic product, which is more affordable than its imported counterpart.

Registration and organization of business

Before starting your own countertop production business, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the specifics of this product and the nuances that will need to be taken into account in the future.

Types of countertops

Depending on the material, there are several types of countertops, differing in their properties, production costs and, accordingly, the final price.

Products laminated with chipboard.

This material is fade-resistant and wear-resistant, withstands cleaning agents well and hardly loses color over time. Thanks to modern technologies, countertops can have different patterns and textures - for example, granite, a beautiful painting or stone.

To make the product more reliable, its underside is covered with kraft paper. This version of the countertop has a relatively low price, but has one significant drawback - if water gets on the unprotected areas of the product, they can swell and become deformed.

Stainless steel countertops are moisture-resistant and durable.

Decorative designs can be applied to steel sheets. The most practical option is a matte finish. The disadvantage of such countertops is that their solid surface can only have a rectangular shape, that is, it cannot be made into a corner.

However, caring for them requires special care and should not be treated with caustic detergents. The appearance of the product depends on the type of wood used. The better it is, the more the cost of the countertop will be. The wood is processed using special technologies, and the surface is coated with oil, which, penetrating deep, becomes invisible. This product is perfectly protected from moisture.

Another type of countertops is represented by acrylic products.

Their main advantage is the difference in seamless shapes. Acrylic stone is quite strong and moisture-resistant, environmentally friendly and shock-resistant. The disadvantage of such a product is that it is sensitive to high temperature and technical damage.

Countertops made of agglomerate.

Products made from this material are thinner than others because it is made without a backing frame. This is possible due to the moisture resistance of this material. Another advantage of such countertops is that they are not afraid of aggressive washing and hot dishes. In appearance they are very similar to stone ones, but much lighter. The disadvantage is that the agglomerate is quite cold to the touch. Moreover, if such a countertop is damaged, it will be impossible to repair it.

Countertops made of natural stone (basalt or granite).

They are very beautiful and can decorate any kitchen, the main thing is to choose the color of the product harmoniously with the overall interior. Of course, the cost of such a product is much higher, but it also looks more luxurious and richer. In addition, such a countertop does not leave marks from objects, scratches or detergents.

Premises and equipment

To start producing countertops, you will need to rent a space of at least fifty square meters.

There are no special requirements for the premises.

The main subtlety of such a business is that most often they require countertops of non-standard shape, which are made according to individual project. Therefore, it is not advisable to use a stationary format-cutting machine in this case. To work with artificial stone you will need hand power tool:

a powerful router, which is necessary for adjusting seams, smoothing out irregularities and for making shaped elements;
a jigsaw without a pendulum stroke, designed for cutting sheets;
a grinding machine used to polish the surface of products.

Mandatory workshop equipment will be assembly tables. You will also need consumables:

Attachments for power tools.
Trimmers.
Sanding skins.
Polishes.
Glue gun.
Clamps.

Suppliers and raw materials

Today, all manufacturers of plastic-lined countertops use CPL and HPL materials. Until now, the big problem for kitchen furniture manufacturers has been the swelling of chipboards, but now almost all suppliers offer a range of waterproof components. Such slabs are produced in Balabanovo "Plitspichprom", MK "Shatura". A more economical option would be to purchase wood panels from the Volgodonsk plant.

The Russian center for the production of countertops is St. Petersburg, which is explained by its proximity to Finland, where moisture-resistant polished slabs are purchased. The most famous companies are Skif and Soyuz PG.

Structural plastic is produced by the Mosstroyplastmass company.

Many countertop manufacturers work with several materials at once.

For example, you can purchase waterproof chipboard panels from the Odyssey company, artificial stone countertops from GetfCora, and solid wood from Werzalit.

Countertops made of artificial stone are in increasing demand. In recent years, companies supplying this material have been constantly holding seminars for those who wish to work with it. They offer not only the composite itself, but also all the additional materials needed to work with it. As a result, many companies are opening that are ready to sell this material.

There are samples on the market in a wide variety of price categories, designed for different buyers. In addition to European companies, there is material from Korean and Taiwanese companies, which costs much less.

Today, all types of components: glass, steel, solid wood are offered in Russia. For cooperation, you can consider existing proposals and choose the most acceptable option for yourself.

Production technology

Despite its apparent simplicity, the manufacture of countertops will require special knowledge and qualifications. Half of the success is provided by consumables, the rest depends on the professional skills of the employees.

It is also important to strictly adhere to safety rules to avoid injuries at work.

Let us present the main stages of the technological process for the manufacture of countertops using the example of a countertop made of artificial stone:

Staff

Due to the nature of countertop production, personnel must have certain qualifications. You shouldn't skimp on your salary. A qualified specialist will not work for pennies, and the demand for products directly depends on his skills.

Sales market

Countertop manufacturers work directly with furniture companies.

And since furniture manufacturing is always in demand, there will be no stagnation in business.

Financial component

The amount of costs depends directly on the volume of production. Typically, the cost of a countertop is three times lower than the selling price.

Mandatory expenses at the stage of starting a business include the following:

Purchase of materials - about 200,000 rubles.
Payment for rent of a premises with an area of 50 square meters - 20,000 rubles.
Conducting an advertising campaign – 10,000 rubles. Over time, this expense item will decrease as you have regular customers.
Salary, including insurance premiums and taxes, is not less than 60,000 rubles per person.

As for future income, we note that the selling price for one linear meter of finished countertop is no less than 13,500 rubles. Two employees will produce at least two 1.5 meter products per day. Thus, in 22 working days, depending on the footage of the products, you can receive revenue of about 600,000.

Based on the above data, it is possible to calculate the profitability of a countertop manufacturing enterprise, which will be slightly less than 40%. Thus, the newly minted businessman will almost immediately begin to receive net profit. This makes the idea of developing a countertop business very attractive.