Introduction
Do you want to get into the PVC foam board extrusion line business? PVC foam boards are in high demand nowadays. They offer incredible structural strength, superb weather resistance, and unmatched durability. These epic properties make them ideal for use in different areas such as the medical, construction, marine, and aerospace industries. However, setting up a successful foam board manufacturing business requires meticulous planning and proper consideration of different factors. You need to gather necessary resources beginning with efficient production equipment. Read on as we dissect crucial tips and vital attributes you need to keep in mind when setting up a PVC foam board-making company.
PVC foam board production line business- Startup Procedure
1. Source a Standard PVC Foam Making Line
The standard of your PVC foam board extrusion line will either make or break your business. Before choosing a Chinese manufacturer to supply your production line, you need to conduct thorough research to find out their track record or past performance. Moreover, you can request samples of the foam boards produced by their equipment to make sure they meet your requirements. In a similar fashion, you can physically visit the manufacturer’s premises for first-hand feedback.
FANLYPLAS is the go-to company if you are looking for a reliable PVC foam board extrusion line that will serve you right for a lengthy period. We boast of over 20 years of experience in the industry having supplied PVC foam board production units and other extrusion equipment to over 200 satisfied clients in different parts of the world. Here is a brief break explanation of why you should choose to invest in our production units:
i. Timely delivery
Once we have your order details and define your production line specifications, we will immediately begin the manufacturing process and deliver in 30 to 40 days. We also have readymade production lines that we can ship to you in a week’s time if you need one immediately.
ii. Automated production lines
Our production lines are engineered with full automation, allowing you to operate them with a single button. It is a feature that might come in handy if your want to save on labor costs.
iii. Competitive quotation
Our pricing is fair with friendly terms for the product quality we promise. You do not have to break a bank to afford one of our units. Simply talk to us about your requirements and we will come up with a suitable quote. We do not wish to bag down our customers with exorbitant pricing. Our biggest joy is to see your PVC foam board production business up and running.
iv. One-year warranty
To help you begin your production process smoothly, our equipment comes with a one-year warranty. We will take care of all your repairs and replace any broken parts within the first year of installation. You will not have to worry a lot about repair or maintenance expenses during this period.
v. Dependable quality
The production lines are designed and created by the most capable industry professionals. Every part of the machine is crafted with utmost precision to deliver optimal functionality and provide uncommon durability. Durable construction will guarantee minimal servicing and repair hence alleviating operational costs. Apart from that, we allow you to test the performance of the machine before shipment for quality assurance.
vi. Great after-sale services
On top of making stellar production units, we provide the necessary manuals, pictures, and diagrams that will help you install and operate the machine. As if that is not enough, we are willing to send over a technician to help install the production line and adequately train your staff on how to run it.
2. Consider Market Expectations
Prior to venturing into the PVC foam production business, you should take time to forecast and evaluate market expectations. You need to anticipate what potential sales will look like as well as what customers prefer in terms of color, size, and so on. Your venture will be in absolute jeopardy if you cannot drive sales.
Having quality products is only one part of the equation, you need to forecast market trends and potential sales using historical information from other established companies. For a solid action strategy on product sales, you have to undertake a thorough field analysis to ascertain what customers really want as well as the areas to target.
3. Know Your Competitors
Apart from customers, another vital aspect of market analysis is your potential competitors. You will be competing with other PVC foam board extrusion companies for the market share. To stay on top of the food chain, you need to understand the different dynamics involved. Apart from knowing what customers prefer, you also need to know what your competitors are doing. If they only offer their boards in limited color options, provide the customers with a wide range of color options.
The design, quality, and aesthetics of your finished products should also be exceptional to appeal to a wider customer base. Basically, you should strive to be innovative and solution-oriented to beat your competitors. Additionally, pay attention to customer reviews or feedback and purpose to fulfill their requirements. After-sale services such as free transportation will make a big difference as well.
4. Get the Necessary Legal Business Documents
Before you open your workshop for business, there are different business documents you need to have. Every country has some form of business document that is needed to legitimize a business entity. Whether it is a business license or an operating certificate, take time to find out before you swing into action. Insurance cover is another key business document to have in your possession. The cover should guarantees protection from any financial losses incurred because of fire, burglary, and other risks.
Information about such documents can be found on relevant local government websites. If the websites are not available, try visiting the offices directly. Another alternative is to talk to other established businesses within the PVC foam board extrusion niche. Only after you have proper legal formalities for your business in place can you go on to hiring employees and buying equipment.
5. Source Proper Raw Materials
The type and quality of the raw materials you utilize can elevate or drag down your business venture. You need to source raw materials from a manufacturer that is reliable, reputable, and time-conscious. Raw materials for making PVC foam boards can be imported from China and other countries. You can also get the materials locally if you are keen on cutting the cost of shipping. Let us take a close look at the specific materials you need to produce exceptional PVC foam boards:
i. Stabilizer
The stabilizer is used to ensure the complete plasticization of the production material. It acts to regulate temperatures, which tend to get extremely high during the production process hence preventing full plasticization. Incomplete plasticization is also linked to a wide board mold cross-section. The stabilizer works to fix this error as well. You can choose to work with lead, zinc, or calcium salt stabilizers.
ii. PVC resin
Foaming agent: there are three types of foaming agents; surfactant, physical foaming agent, and chemical foaming agent. The foaming agent is used to enhance the foaming structure and foaming quality of the plastic melt during the production process. Aluminum silicate is a typical foaming aid that is mixed with the plastic melt to curb precipitation.
You need to go for a PVC resin that guarantees easy density control as well as stable product quality. Together with that, the resin ought to have a processing temperature that is relatively low together with a quick regulation speed. Type 5 and type 8 resins are the most utilized in modern-day PVC foam board making.
iii. Foaming regulator
A good foaming regulator should incorporate a core-shell structure. It is copolymerized along with other reagents such as styrene and methyl methacrylate to help in the plasticization process. The forming regulator reduces the plasticization temperature. In addition to that, the regulator lowers melt pulsation and enhances plasticization efficiency. Still, it aids in heightening the smoothness on the surface of PVC foam boards along with boosting melt strength and curbing melt fractures.
iv. Filler
Fillers are crucial in the production of foam boards as they enhance coloring other than providing lubrication and solid UV protection. They can be used in place of resin to cut the cost of the material. Limestone or calcium carbonate, clays, and diatomaceous earth are the most common fillers.
v. Pigment
It is the agent that gives color to the PVC foam board. You need to use pigment agents of the highest standard. Low-quality pigments tend to come off the boards after a short time. That could be harmful to your final product quality.
6. Consider Your Location
It always narrows down to location when it comes to the success of any business. You need to set up your production line facility in a location that is accessible. If your production line is too far from your market or the location is inaccessible, it will be a major deterrent for potential customers.
Most customers are not only driven by product quality but also the cost of shipping or transportation. Another crucial advantage of a strategically placed business is easy access to raw materials. You need to choose a point that is this close to your source of raw materials to cut transportation costs as well. Additionally, your preferred location should have close proximity to the road or any other means of transport.
7. Set Up A Spacious Workshop
The size of your workshop relies on the size of the business enterprise you plan to set up. There are several variables you need to factor into your consideration when it comes to setting up a production line workshop. First, you have to think about the size of the equipment. A PVC foam board extrusion line is relatively huge and will need a spacious workplace. If you are to produce about 800Kgs of product per hour, you will need more space for raw materials too.
Other than the raw materials, you require room for the final products. On the same note, the products will require transportation to the address of interested customers. There has to be space for that too. A roomy workspace means better ventilation, which is good for your production machine.
To crown it all, you need to think about the workers. You should map out an area that will enable your staff to freely move around without interfering with the production processes or getting injured. Prior to coming up with a final plan for the warehouse, make sure you have mapped out an area that is big enough for your machinery, raw materials, product storage, effortless transportation, and staff. Essentially, aim for a working space that is unfettered and clear.
8. Meet Regulatory Compliance
Different countries have different regulatory compliance requirements for PVC production companies. Depending on where you are based, you need to conduct adequate research on the requirements. Thereafter, take necessary steps to avoid any unwarranted confrontation with the law.
Most regulations revolve around workplace safety, pollution control, and waste management. In addition to that, federal regulations may dictate the ideal place to construct your workshop and so on. Basically, the mode of running your PVC foam board production business should be within federal regulations. Failure to adhere to federal laws on running your production line could amount to unnecessary legal troubles.
You might also need to have a quality assurance certificate. It proves that your production line follows the right standards of product manufacture. In the same way, some governments will require an inspector to check out if safety and pollution control measures have been implemented in your workshop.
9. Your Budget Matters
Budget is a noteworthy attribute that will dictate the direction of your PVC foam board business. At the end of the day, it is imperative to assess the amount of your seed money against the prospective return on investment. That is why it becomes vital to cut operational costs and other expenses so as to maximize profits.
Other expenses to factor into your operational costs include waste management, equipment maintenance, and employee salaries among others. Moving on, your budget will have a substantial impact on the size of the production line you purchase together with the general size of your business.
10. Recruit and Train New Staff
Manpower is an integral part of production planning. Even if your production line is fully automated, you will still need an extra hand to feed raw materials into the machine and another to take care of finished products. Consequently, you need to recruit new staff. The production line will definitely be a new concept for anyone.
Therefore, you have to train your staff on how it functions. If you source your production line from FANLYPLAS, we will send over a technician to extensively take your staff through the regulatory requirements and technical process of running the equipment. That aside, ensure you have enough skilled manpower to take care of your production needs.
Other than training, your staff should also be taken through necessary safety measures they should undertake to avoid injury in the course of the production process. On the same note, you might have to take an insurance cover for each of them in case of any eventuality.
11. Make Maintenance Of The PVC Foam Board Making Machine A Top Priority
Once you have your production line imported and securely installed, you have to stay on top of your maintenance schedule. Constant and proactive maintenance of your production line results in longevity of your equipment in addition to reducing repair costs.
Moreover, undertaking preventive maintenance guarantees reduced part failure and minimal downtime in the long run. Moving parts of the PVC foam board-making line are particularly prone to wear and tear owing to friction. Other than keeping a close eye on their functionality, it is essential to oil and lubricates them regularly.
To add to that, always check out for signs of cracks or breakage on the equipment and replace affected parts. To keep the machine in great working order, you will have to work on the paint job. Along with that, clean the production line and replace the filters regularly to avoid contaminating your product with impurities. If your machine has impurities and mechanical errors, the final PVC foam board will show the following features:
i. The surface thickness of uneven size
Uneven thickness dimensions indicate that the flow rate of the plastic melt within the production line is too high. To iron out the problem, adjust the material formula or change the flow resistance rod.
ii. Yellowed foam boards
The hitch is related to production temperatures that are too high and unstable. You need to lower processing temperatures together with adjusting the lubricant, stabilizer, and material formula.
iii. PVC foam boards yellowed in the middle
If you notice that the middle of your PVC foam boards is yellow, the problem could be insufficient lubrication and high mold temperatures.
iv. Plate surface bending
It is a problem linked to poor cooling and material flow of uneven nature. Uneven material movement is triggered by a significant fluctuation in traction. On top of that, the error is associated with poor external and internal lubrication. Another drawback that might cause uneven material flow is the formation of bubbles on the surface of the cross-section. Other reasons for a bending plate surface are inefficient melt strength, excessive foaming agent, and low-quality foaming regulator.
v. Alterations in thinness or thickness of sheet materials
The problem is related to a fault in the mixing process. It happens when there is a long duration between the mixing intervals. The best way to resolve the production hitch is to get a proper mixing barrel to promote proper plasticizing of the melt material. You also need to work on the processing temperature.
12. Analyze Possible Risk Factors
Every business has its own risk factors. Launching a PVC foam board manufacturing line is not exceptional. You have to be real and try to find out the factors that might hinder your success in advance. That is why you need a solid business plan. To begin with, most production lines fail because of sourcing low-quality equipment.
By purchasing a reliable PVC foam board-making machine from a reputable company like FANLYPLAS, you will be on the right track in terms of mitigating potential bottlenecks. A well-made machine will experience minimal downtime and demand very low maintenance costs.
On the other side of the coin, you will waste a lot of time and possibly fall behind your production targets if you, unfortunately, buy a poorly engineered unit. After thinking about the equipment, you need to consider your manpower, source of raw materials, logistics, and the general management of the business.
It is vital to analyze your risk factors by revisiting historical facts and information on the performance of other ventures in the same industry. Evaluate their failures and countermeasures. Conducting a failure modes and effects analysis and then putting control measures in place to mitigate the outcome will be a wise move.
13. Incorporate Continuous Improvement Techniques
Once your production line is open for businesses, you have to take note of everything including potential challenges for future improvement. You need a comprehensive production plan that will help you to keep track of any hurdles like sources of material waste. The best way to deal with material waste is to adapt the principles of value-added production and operational efficiency. They will help you to improve costs and amplify deliveries.
To boost efficiency, you have to analyze every aspect of your production processes and improve your delivery time. Additionally, your business ought to provide PVC foam boards that are error-free and relevant in satisfying customer requirements. You should also aim to enhance reliability to build customer loyalty and elevates their trust.
Conclusion
A quality product line is the heart of a PVC foam board manufacturing business. Customers within the niche are always in need of a continuous supply of foam boards that meet their standards. They also look for a supplier that guarantees a narrow lead time from the time they place an order to the shipment date. You will easily take over the market and beat your competition if you consistently produce products that are durable and of high quality. Nonetheless, you need dependable equipment, skilled manpower, a comprehensive production plan, and other factors discussed above to succeed