Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Sachin Jaiswal
Rising customer demand for prepared and packed food items has recently been causing notable growth in the Indian food production sector. A study by the India Brand Equity Foundation projects that the Indian food industry business will produce $535 billion by 2025–26. For would-be business owners hoping to start their own food production company, this offers a successful possibility. In this blog, we will walk you through the main steps needed to start a profitable food manufacturing business in India.
Procedure to Set up a Food Manufacturing Business
1. Choosing a Business Structure
Choosing a suitable business structure comes first when starting food production. The most often-used possibilities consist of the following:
Consider elements like the number of partners, responsibility, taxes, and management simplicity of a company form before choosing one. An OPC would be appropriate for a single-member company with limited liability; for instance, a partnership firm lets you share ownership and decision-making.
2. Company/Firm Registration
Registration of your company or business comes next after you have decided on your form. Legal behaviour and reputation building depend on this process. The following is a summary of the registration process:
- A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is essential for signing computer papers.
- Apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN), a unique number needed by every director of the company.
- Third file with the ROC, the Registrar of Companies: Get and turn in the necessary forms, including Articles of Association (AOA) and Memorandum of Association (MOA).
Correct registration ensures legal compliance and helps you create a business bank account, ask for loans, and join in government contracts, thereby improving your company’s image.
3. Product Selection and Market Research
Finding the proper product to produce depends on extensive market research. This phase will assist you in grasping customer preferences, market demand, and competition dynamics. These are some salient features to give thought to:
- Examining present trends and customer behaviour helps determine market demand. Are there any particular food items that are becoming quite well-known?
- Research the product offers, pricing policies, and marketing techniques of your rivals. Which voids in the industry can you help to close?
- Evaluate the availability of the raw components your product requires. Are they reasonably priced and readily available?
Gathering and evaluating this data can help you decide on the product you want to produce so that it fits your company objectives and the demands of the market.
4. Funding and Capital Arrangement
Starting a food production company calls for a large financial outlay. Investigating many financing sources is crucial to guaranteeing the financial resources necessary. There are several paths to take thought:
- Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to gather money from a lot of people.
- Two forms of funding, especially for companies, are regular banks and NBFCs.
- Investment from Friends and Family: Although this is usually a good starting point, it should be treated with open agreements to avoid misunderstanding.
- If your company has a scalable business plan, hiring investors—venture funders and angel donors — will provide not just cash but also intelligent guidance.
- Explore government programs that provide financial support to food-making companies, such as the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.
To impress possible lenders or investors, prepare a thorough business plan that outlines your cash needs, projected income, and financial estimates.
5. Location Selection
The spot of your production plant is essential to your company’s growth. Consider things like closeness to raw materials, access to transportation, work supply, energy sources, and the target market. Pick a place that lowers journey costs and provides easy access to resources. Also, ensure the site meets local building rules and environmental guidelines.
6. FSSAI Licencing and Registration
Getting the appropriate permits and registrations marks one of the most critical first steps in starting a food production business. Based on their yearly sales, all food companies are needed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to register or license. FSSAI applications come in three categories:
- Basic Registration: For companies turning less than ₹12 lakhs annually.
- State License: For companies turning between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores annually.
- Central License: For companies whose yearly turnover is beyond ₹20 crores.
Before starting a business, make sure you register for a suitable FSSAI registration or license. This will guarantee adherence to food safety rules and help establish customer confidence.
7. Other Required Registrations and Licenses
Apart from FSSAI registration, you also have to get various additional permits and registrations, including:
- NOC from the Fire Department
- Certificate for water tests
- Shop and Establishment Act Registration
- Clearance of pollution
- Import-Export Code (IEC)
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) registering
- Trademark registration
Make sure you follow all the required legal criteria to prevent fines and disturbance of your company operations.
8. Equipment and Machinery
The degree of success of your food production company primarily relies on the quality and efficiency of your equipment and tools. Purchase tools for your product’s particular needs, such as cleaning, grading, peeling, mixing, sorting, packaging, and labelling. Select tools from reliable producers so that they satisfy the required safety and quality criteria.
9. Hiring Staff
The seamless running of your food production company depends on a qualified and committed staff. Important people to employ include cleaners, marketing managers, sales managers, HR managers, and manufacturing workers. Cookers: Give your staff enough instruction so they are knowledgeable about food safety policies and quality control procedures.
10. Marketing and Promotion
The success of your food manufacturing company depends on a solid marketing plan. Showcase your items and emphasise your particular selling propositions on an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly website. Be very visible on social media sites to interact with your target market and advertise your items. Engage in trade shows and food displays to meet potential consumers and present your goods to a larger audience.
Conclusion
Starting a food manufacturing business in India calls for thorough preparation, research, and execution. Following the advice in this blog article will help you succeed more likely in this fast-expanding sector. Remember to be updated with the newest business trends, change with the times, and constantly invest in innovation and quality enhancement. Dedicated, hardworking, and committed to quality, you may create a profitable food production business that helps the Indian economy flourish.