There are not many detergent manufactures in South Africa, most people think this business is difficult and are intimidated by it. Detergent manufacturing is not difficult and can be done by anyone with enough determination. This is a guide on how to start a detergent manufacturing business in South Africa.
Overview
A detergent business focuses on manufacturing detergents such as dishwashing liquids or detergents for doing laundry. This is a good market to go into, there is relatively low competition aside from the big brands. You can also easily find a pathway to success with enough marketing.
We need detergents to clean our staff, mostly laundry and dishes, we also have people who are embracing the entrepreneurial spirit and are supporting smaller businesses. This makes this business a great one to start. It doesn’t have high barriers to entry but most people think it does, this means that you will face little competition for the foreseeable future.
Get training
The internet is full of information but you won’t just read an article on the internet and get to mixing chemicals to create a detergent. You need to have some experience; you need to know what you are doing. The first thing to do would be to attend a short training course, they usually cost less than R5 000 and take just a few weeks. Within weeks, you will be able to know the process of detergent manufacturing from the start to finish.
You will also know which machines to buy, most machines cost around R2 000 on the low end and R9 000 on the higher end. The training will equip you with all the necessary knowledge to run the manufacturing side of your business well.
Most of the questions you might have about detergent manufacturing will be answered during the training process. You will come out knowing a lot about ingredients, formulas and machinery, including regulations and good standards.
Manufacture the detergent
Manufacturing the detergent won’t be hard since you will know exactly what to do after training. The only hard part might be raising finances, again the barrier to entry is not that high, you can get started with R5 000. You have to buy the equipment, ingredients and have operating premises. The operating premises don’t have to be fancy; you can operate right from home.
Branding
After manufacturing your detergent, you have to focus on the business side of things and that starts with branding. You have to come up with a name, logo and design of the containers. Try to make your colours similar with some of the most popular brands, this is more psychological.
Just like people have been accustomed to buying 5kg chicken from a yellow plastic, they would hardly give consideration to a purple plastic. It’s too unfamiliar to them, the same goes with everything else in other consumer market spaces. Don’t try to be extravagant and use colours that are too out of the ordinary. You will also have to register your business, registering your business will only cost R125 when done through the CIPC. This is also the stage whereby you are supposed to package the detergent, it should be ready to hit the shelves.
Marketing
Chances of you getting orders from big retailers right at the start are very slim. You will have to settle for selling to smaller retailers and individuals, if your product is good, it will grow in no time. The first thing you can do is to approach all the local retailers in your community or town and try to sell them your product.
Offer to sell it at a discount if they don’t seem too keen, it’s also important to try and sell it to individuals. Individuals are the ones that end up driving the demand behind any product. Invest in some social media marketing, this will likely be a feel-good story that will catch people’s attention. You will receive a lot of support from social media, which will help to put you in the radar for big retailers.
Create a website where people can order, people don’t have the patience of taking down your numbers, storing them and then contacting you. It’s best to send them straight to your website where they will make orders, that way you will only talk with people who have actually ordered. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a support line, you should have a support line to answer people’s questions.
Conclusion
This was a guide on how to start a detergent manufacturing business in South Africa. Do you have any thoughts or questions? Comment below.
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Samad
15 Mar 2021how do you find a Consultant to help you with the actual manufacturing of detergents?
Lindile Jaji
1 Jun 2021I’m interested for this can u pls help me.
Nokutula
19 Jul 2021I’m interested in getting started with training for a detergent business. Who does that training?
sibabalwe
20 Jul 2021Hi Nokuthula, it depends on where you are based, try to find the nearest person to you, search on Google or ask around.
Nangamso sokani
4 Aug 2021Where can I buy the machines after I’ve done the training? I found a place in Maitland cape town for those who are interested to know
sibabalwe
5 Aug 2021Hi Nangamso, I think you will get more valuable information from your training instructor 🙂
Zwai
10 Sep 2021How much do they charge for training?
Zwai
10 Sep 2021Nangamso can you please help me with the contact number of the place in maitland
Sophie
27 Oct 2021Im already making detergents but im struggling with brandung and advertising through social media
sibabalwe
4 Nov 2021Eish, marketing can be a huge problem. Don’t rush yourself, it takes time to build a solid brand 🙂
quiet ngano
24 Nov 2021Anyone who knows we’re workshop are attend for detergent washing powder in cape Town please may app me on my number 0736629659 pls
Nhlanhla
5 Dec 2021Hey please I help me I really want to start the training of detergents I need help information
Nyaniso
3 Jan 2022Hi
do we have any regulatory bodies when it comes to detergent manufacturing. What are the legalities behind this business, besides company registration with CIPC
Sicelo
21 Apr 2022Im interested is there anyone around KZN Ladysmith or the nearest town who can provide such training also assist with the training fee
Ridovhona Priscilla
3 May 2022Am interested in your training
Fortunate
4 May 2022Where can I get the training,like a specific area or a training institute.
sibabalwe
5 May 2022Hi Fortunate, check out trimo.co.za
Sibongiseni
26 May 2022I am interested to start a Detergent Manufacturing Company