Everyone knows about the benefits of dairy products. It is impossible to call a balanced diet if they are not included in it. Supermarket shelves are overflowing with these products manufactured by various companies. The value and palatability of essential products are largely dependent on the manufacturer. For this reason, individual brands of goods are often preferred. A person who wants to open his own milk processing business needs to be able to establish himself as a good producer.
Business opportunities
Today we can say that the paths for the development of the dairy business are open for two reasons. Firstly, people who farm and keep pets often do not have a normal market. Secondly, the reserves of dried milk, which is necessary for the production of dairy products, are exhausted. In addition, some of the fermented milk products supplied to many stores are not in great demand.
Business plan
Beginning businessmen need to think through and weigh all the small details and calculate the costs. Be sure to take into account unforeseen expenses and failures. First you need to draw up a plan of first beginnings. After its implementation, it will be possible to think about further prospects.
First of all, you should decide which products can be included in the assortment. It is better to start with the most popular: kefir, fermented baked milk, pasteurized milk, cottage cheese and sour cream. Subsequently, this list can be expanded. For example, add the production of yogurts, sweet fruit cheeses for children, butter, cream, yogurt and even ice cream.
We need to find suppliers of milk for ongoing cooperation and conclude agreements with them. It is good to deal with farmers who are extensively involved in livestock, or farmers.
The next crucial step is the construction or acquisition of a specialized modular mini-factory. There should be enough space in it, in each of which milk will be received, milk cooled, further processed and planned products manufactured. A good mini-factory is usually equipped with devices for pouring milk into certain containers, it should have a sufficient number of containers, the necessary equipment and storage chambers. Such a premises can be purchased ready-made.
If a milk processing plant is built on its own, care should be taken to purchase equipment. This issue needs to be approached correctly. Before you purchase anything, you need to collect the necessary amount of information, based on which it will be possible to specifically determine where and what equipment to buy.
Costs
The financial side of the economy involves accurate calculations, closely combined with all points of the plan. If you are not sure that you will cope with these tasks yourself, it is better to contact a qualified financier. After all, you need to conduct a correct analysis of the assessment of profitability, take into account the payback period of the project, the amount of net earnings, possible losses. To avoid unnecessary risks, an experienced financier will help you calculate in advance how much you can count on.
Important points of the financial plan:
- estimates of income and expenses;
- profit and loss forecast;
- free cash;
- payment of taxes;
- investments;
- initial and final balance.
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Thanks to the latest decisions of the authorities, beginning entrepreneurs have state benefits. They are exempt from large regional taxes, may receive a seasonal deferment of tax payments and are entitled to budget subsidies. At the initial stage of milk processing, documenting private business will be enough.
Necessary documents for a novice businessman:
- permission to trade;
- documents on the results of the examination issued by the State Veterinary Laboratory, and certificate No. 2 from the district veterinary station;
- permission to transport goods;
- a document for the sale of products at retail;
- certificate of quality dairy products.
Modular mini-enterprise
The purchase of a ready-made modular plant frees the entrepreneur from unnecessary trouble. It is no longer necessary to engage in the purchase and installation of equipment. When you purchase it, you get a well-thought-out business plan for working with products.
The mini-workshop is an innovative system, the equipment of which operates according to a single technological scheme. Such an enterprise is intended not only to change the composition of whole milk. Processing of dairy products at the mini-factory is carried out by an automated method and in a certain order. Depending on the equipment available, ice cream, milk powder and products from it can be produced at the plant.
The factory premises has three main modules: a warehouse, a laboratory and a household unit. A mini-enterprise can produce frequently purchased products: kefir, pasteurized milk, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk. For storage of products there are refrigerators.
According to experienced manufacturers, a modular plant pays for itself in two years. This period is relatively short, so the milk processing business makes sense.
Some recommendations
An important role in the sale of dairy products is played by the location of the plant. It is better to be located closer to densely populated areas.
Always comply with technical standards and established requirements. This applies to containers and packaging material for products. Communication and ventilation systems must be clearly regulated.
Many entrepreneurs try to conclude agreements with large shops and supermarkets. Such a market is reliable for the reason that people are used to visiting large retail outlets and buying goods in one place. Organizing your own distribution network is too expensive a pleasure, and also problematic.
You should think about the working staff. In the mini-milk processing workshop, it will be necessary to hire several workers for each shift, one master, technologist and laboratory assistant. Even an unskilled worker will be able to learn how to operate the equipment, since it is arranged quite simply. To save money, issues on the sale and transportation of goods are best decided on their own.
No need to save on advertising, especially at first. The right attitude to this issue will help you to establish yourself and take a reliable place in the market.
Production technology
The milk processing process is carried out in compliance with successive technological steps. First of all, an assessment is made of the quality of the adopted raw materials and their biological composition.
With the help of a special pump, milk is pumped into the filter, then through the milk pipe to the heat exchanger. After filtering, it is in the receiver for milk.
To separate the cream, the milk is separated in the normalization unit.
The next steps are sterilization and fermentation. As a result of these processes, sour cream is formed.
Types of equipment
There are two types of mini-shop: standard and universal.
- Universal. It produces purified milk powder, hard cheese, koumiss and feta cheese.Such a plant is suitable for those entrepreneurs who are going to expand the range of goods. The equipment allows the production of dessert and dietary products by milk processing. For example, glazed curds, bifidobacterial drinks, curd with fillers. They are obtained by adding various kinds of starter cultures and using various cycles of technological processes.
- Standard. Workshops have equipment for specific types of products. In them you will be able to process milk, getting from it only some products.
Home Production Organization
It would be nice for rural people with at least a few cows to think about a more cost-effective use of their households. Milk on the market is inexpensive, so it would be more profitable to purchase special equipment and engage in the production of products from it at home.
For the preparation of cottage cheese, sour cream and butter, you need to buy a separator and containers for products. You can master the technological process for the manufacture of ice cream and purchase a special apparatus. By replenishing your product range with such products, you will attract more buyers. Processing domestic milk is a profitable and promising business.
It is not necessary to have your own cows to run a home business. Milk for processing into products that are in demand on domestic shelves can be bought from neighbors. This type of activity will allow you to focus on one occupation. You will not lose time on caring for animals and will be able to increase your turnover in a short time.
Of course, in order to market your products, you need permission. Thanks to this, you will have the opportunity to sell your goods from a car in any retail outlet in the city. At first, acquaintances and neighbors may become your clients. Over time, this circle will increase, and it will be possible to think about expanding production.
Acquisition of equipment for a home business
Before you buy equipment for milk processing, you need to draw up your own business plan, guided by the above tips. If you intend to engage in a wider production, it was wise to purchase several identical devices at once. The household market offers a wide selection of equipment from various trading companies.
A good solution would be to buy oil separators. Oil in such devices is obtained by the periodic method of whipping. Cream is poured into the hopper no more than half the volume of the entire tank. The process takes about two hours. With sour cream, the fat content of which is 35%, ½ part of the oil comes out of the total. The rest is buttermilk (waste product). The churns are compact and lightweight.
There are cream separators for sale, characterized by a more advanced milk processing technology, which consists in separating the whole product into cream and skim milk. At the same time, cleaning processes are also carried out.
When your business stabilizes a little, it will be possible to purchase an oil maker. It is intended for the production of the product in large quantities. Most often, such a device is used in workshops and has automatic control. Such an acquisition requires a separate room.
Conclusion
Opening a milk processing workshop is a serious matter. Beginning businessmen need to understand that their activities will not be limited only to the production and sale of products. Doing business involves applying the principles of sociability. You need to have the ability to conclude contracts, to cooperate with investors, owners of agricultural companies, wholesale purchasers of goods, farmers and other persons.For those who find this type of activity difficult, there is the opportunity to engage in a safe business that is not fraught with the above tasks - milk processing at home.
