The list of small manufacturing business ideas includes market size and real-world examples.
You’ve arrived if you want to start and run a business but need help figuring out what to do.
Hundreds of great small manufacturing business ideas exist for aspiring entrepreneurs like you. But hundreds? Hundreds overwhelm.
We Chose the 23 Best Small Manufacturing Business Ideas to Invest In
This guide has the following:
Best small manufacturing businesses
Market sizes to assess each idea’s potential
Case studies
Let’s begin immediately.
1. Candle making
Small manufacturing business ideas include candlemaking.
You can sell beautiful candles at local craft fairs or online with a few supplies and creativity. Candlemaking is relaxing and profitable. Start by considering the following:
Selecting wax
Wick selection
Waxing properly
Fragrance oils
Wax casting
Cooling space
Proper wick trimming
Answering these small issues puts you in the candlemaking game.
Candlemaking market value
Scent candles earned $533.5 million worldwide in 2020. Market value predictions indicate 3.3% CAGR growth over the next few years.
2. Craft-making
Crafting handmade goods is one of the small manufacturing business ideas.
Crafters who want to share their creations often start a craft business. First, choose your craft. Choose something you love and feel confident creating.
Starting niches:
Bindi designing
Jewelry making
Woodworking
Bead Making
Embroidery
Craft-making market value
In 2021, US craft-making was worth $241.1 billion. At 10.14% CAGR, this will reach $429.3 billion by 2027.
3. Food production
Food and beverage production are examples of small manufacturing business ideas.
Agriculture, manufacturing, and retailing comprise the vast food and beverage industry. It employs millions globally and generates billions annually. The industry is a major user of water, land, and energy.
Also You Can Read: How To Make A Business Plan?
Nutty food production ideas:
Food dye
Potato powder
Soy meat
Bakery
Banana wafer production
Iodine production
Pure water
Bottled water
Baking powder
All food and beverage companies share one thing:
Food safety and quality.
Food and beverage market value
2020 food and beverage market size was $258.80 billion. With a 9.5% CAGR, that market share will rise to $529.66 billion by 2028. Lots of cheddar cheese. Want some?
4. Textile maker
Manufacturing business ideas that supply other manufacturers? That’s unconventional.
Textile companies make materials from natural or synthetic fibers. Most textile fibers are:
Cotton
Linen
Wool
Silk
These fibers can make clothing, upholstery, and carpets.
Spinning fibers into yarns, weaving or knitting them into the fabric, and finishing them to achieve the desired properties are complicated. Fiber, yarn, fabric construction, and finishing treatments affect textile performance.
Textile market value
The industry’s market share in 2022 was $42.4 billion, but growth has declined. 1.4% fell between 2017 and 2022.
5. Clothes and shoes
The apparel and footwear manufacturing industry—companies that make finished products like:
Clothing
Footwear
Accessories
To become Tim Gunn, consider making these:
Belts
Garments
Jeans
Jute bags
Leather goods
Making clothes
Apparel and footwear market value
The apparel and footwear industry boosts the global economy.
2021 apparel and footwear sales exceeded $1.5 trillion. By 2026, the forecast is $2 trillion.
6. Brewery manufacturing
Microbreweries produce small amounts of beer.
Family-owned small-scale manufacturers sell beer directly to consumers.
Microbreweries have many advantages. You can make personalized beers. Build customer relationships and get product feedback. You can also grow your business by brewing more and selling it in more places.
Brewery market value
US beer sales reached $100 billion in 2021. As someone who wants to start a small manufacturing business, 13.1% of that market share came from small and independent brewers.
Cheers to small breweries! 🍻
7. Sportswear maker
Small sports equipment manufacturers design, manufacture, and sell their products.
Balls, bats, gloves, and protective gear are examples.
Sports equipment manufacturers often specialize in one or more sports. Some firms specialize in baseball or football gear. Others make many sports products.
Professional athletes collaborate with sports equipment manufacturers to create customized products. Athletes can even get custom-made gear from the manufacturer.
Sports equipment market value
The US sports equipment industry earned $17.44 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 4.86%. The Chinese market is huge, generating $34,610 million in 2022.
8. Furniture maker
Furniture makers make and sell furniture for homes, offices, and other places.
Furniture makers use wood, metal, glass, and upholstery. Some furniture makers offer custom-made furniture. Furniture-making has been passed down for centuries.
Make many types of furniture. Popular choices:
Chairs
Tables
Beds
Dressers
Cabinets
Photo frames
Jewelry boxes surprised us.
Custom-made furniture lets customers choose style, material, and finish. You can make unique pieces they’ll treasure.
Furniture production’s value
US furniture sales hit $25.7 billion in 2022. Since 2017, the market has shrunk 1.6%.
9. Papermaking
Papermaking from cellulose fibers is a manufacturing startup idea few people consider.
Plant-based cellulose fibers make recyclable, biodegradable paper. Wood pulp is cheaper than other plant fibers and makes most paper. Paper can be reused several times.
Recycled paper can make new products like:
Notebooks
Envelopes
Packing boxes
Cardboard bags
Paper plates
Even TP
Paper is also biodegradable.
Paper can wrap gifts and cover walls. Paper is essential for writing, wrapping, and decorating.
Papermaking’s value
The global pulp and paper market value was $351.53 billion in 2021. This industry is expected to reach $373 billion by 2029 with a 0.72% CAGR.
If papermaking is your thing, try it.
10. Beautiful health
Health and beauty businesses make products for skin, hair, and nails.
Health products like:
Dietary supplements
Cotton buds
Diapers
Ginger extracts
Soaps
Detergent powders
Scientists at health and beauty companies create new products and formulations. Marketing and sales staff may also promote products. Some businesses have retail stores or sell through others.
Cosmetics, skincare, and other health and beauty products must follow FDA regulations. Businesses must follow FDA regulations to ensure product safety. These products must be FDA-licensed.
Health and beauty market value
Health and beauty sales reached $534 billion in 2022. Due to social media’s self-consciousness epidemic, this revenue is expected to grow at 5.86% CAGR.
11. Drug maker
Pharmaceutical manufacturers make drugs and other healthcare products. It’s more complicated than making candles.
These products include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biologicals. Pharmaceutical companies may develop new drugs and therapies.
The FDA governs pharmaceutical companies. To ensure product safety and efficacy, they must follow GMP.
Pharmaceuticals are essential to global health. These companies improve millions of lives with lifesaving drugs and therapies.
Pharma market value
One of the most intimidating industries to start a business in. If all goes well, this is where the big bucks are. Pharmaceutical sales reached $1.42 trillion in 2021.
12. Chemical production
Chemical production companies make chemicals for various industries.
Chemical production includes sourcing raw materials and packaging. Mixing ingredients in large vats or reactors start manufacturing. After mixing, it is transferred to smaller containers for packaging.
Chemical producers must follow strict handling and storage rules. They must avoid product contamination. Chemical producers must follow safety protocols to protect employees and customers.
Chemical production market value
Assuming no fraud, the chemical production industry earned over $4.7 trillion in 2021.
13. Auto parts production
Automotive parts manufacturing is a small manufacturing idea.
Engines, transmissions, electrical systems, and wheels are examples. Automotive parts manufacturers supply OEMs and the aftermarket.
Function and location classify many automotive parts. Common examples:
Engine parts
Transmissions, transaxles
Chassis parts
Interior parts
Exterior parts
Automotive parts market value
Automotive parts manufacturers earned $62.2 billion in 2022. Since 2017, the US market has declined 3.3% annually.
14. Safety and
Health and safety manufacturers—companies that make products or services to make workplaces safer—have many manufacturing opportunities.
These companies make safety gear, clothing, and signage. You can also consult on workplace safety issues for extra cash.
Health and safety manufacturers protect workers.
Health and safety market value
The health and safety market was $6,125.2 million in 2021. At 10.8% CAGR, this should reach $11,333.3 million by 2028.
15. Toy making
Not all manufacturing startups are intense. Toy making? Making children’s toys.
Hand or machine. Toys start with a prototype. This prototype is tested for child safety and fun.
Toy manufacturing is worth billions worldwide. It employs millions and entertains children of all ages.
Toy manufacturing’s value
Toy manufacturing reached $308.21 billion in 2022. With a 4.7% CAGR, it should reach $439.91 by 2030.
16. Plastic maker
Consider unconventional small manufacturing business ideas. A plastic manufacturer could make the box.
Most plastic manufacturers use injection molding.
The plastic is melted and injected into a mold. Most molds are cylindrical or rectangular. After cooling, the plastic is removed from the mold, finishing the manufacturing process.
Need inspiration? Here are some plastic-based products:
Water bottles
Pens
Toothbrushes
Shower curtain
Storage bins
Disposable syringe
Paper cups
Plastic manufacturing market value
Global plastics sales were $457.73 in 2022. This figure will rise to $643.37 by 2029 with a 5.0% CAGR.
17. Electronics production
Electronics manufacturing—making electronic components and assemblies for products—is a small manufacturing idea.
It includes everything from designing new electronic devices to mass producing them. Electronics manufacturing is vital to many sectors of the global economy, including:
Telecommunications
Computing
Automotive
Aerospace
consumer electronics
New technologies and processes make the industry one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing.
Electronics manufacturing market value
Electronics manufacturing generated $1.6 trillion in 2022. Market share is rising. Since 2017, it has grown by 1.7% annually.
18. Feeding pets
Consider non-human manufacturing business ideas. Pet food and supply manufacturers make products like:
Leashes
Beds
Toys
Other extras
This industry includes pet supplement makers.
Pet food and supplies manufacturing has grown due to a few key trends. First, pet humanization. People who treat their pets like family are willing to spend more on premium food and products.
Healthy, organic pet food is another trend.
Consumers are becoming more aware of pet nutrition and are willing to pay more for products that meet their standards.
Pet food and supplies market value
Pet food and supplies were worth $99.10 billion in 2022. With a 4.4% CAGR, $139.29 billion is expected in 2030.
19. Industrial repair
Industrial repair products may be the best manufacturing business to start.
MRO inventory can include replacement parts, new tools, and machinery. Industrial repair product manufacturers serve clients like:
Businesses
Governments
Organizations
Industrial repair product manufacturing keeps businesses running.
Companies would spend more time and money replacing equipment without these products. Industrial repair product manufacturers keep the industrial economy running by providing equipment repair and maintenance products.
Industrial repair market value
Industrial repair reached $40.25 billion in 2021. By 2029, this figure will reach $72.46 billion with a 7.9% CAGR.
20. Cosmetics
Small-scale cosmetic manufacturing involves making cosmetics and personal care products.
Processes include:
Formulation
Packaging
Labeling
Government agencies regulate cosmetic manufacturers to ensure consumer safety. Cosmetic manufacturers must consider consumer preferences for packaging, labeling, and formulations in addition to government regulations. Don’t be discouraged.
Some popular categories are:
Foundations
Concealers
Blushes
Eye shadows
Mascara
Lip gloss
Sprays set
Herbal hair oil
Cosmetics market value
The market was $262.43 billion in 2022. This industry is expected to grow 5.3% to $363.80 billion by 2028.
21. Coffee roasting
Coffee roasting businesses roast beans to make coffee products.
These companies sell coffee wholesale or roast it for others. Coffee roasters often specialize in specific types of coffee and have high-quality control.
Small, independent coffee roasters are common.
Coffee roasting’s worth
Coffee roasting reached $430.5 billion in 2022. Due to rising demand in South and East Asia, the International Coffee Council predicts rising coffee consumption. With a 5% CAGR, this industry’s market value will reach $701.24 by 2032.
22. Firearms
Manufacturing startups can include firearms production.
They may make:
Pistols
Rifles
Shotguns
Other guns
Ammunition
The government licenses firearms manufacturers. Producers must be licensed to sell firearms in some countries.
Firearm manufacturing involves several steps.
The gun design comes first.
This includes choosing materials and gun assembly. Get the materials next. The producer will start gun assembly after gathering all materials.
Gun types affect this process.
Testing the gun after assembly ensures its safety and functionality. After safety tests, the gun can be sold.
Firearms market value
Despite the controversy, the firearms industry grew 10.3% between 2017 and 2022, reaching $19.6 billion in the US. The market grew faster than the Consumer Goods and Services sector overall.
23. Cannabis
Cannabis is our last small manufacturing idea.
The marijuana industry is growing rapidly. As more states legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use, the industry has grown rapidly. This growth necessitates new cannabis businesses and jobs.
The cannabis industry includes small mom-and-pop shops and large growers and retailers. From cultivation to retail, these companies are involved in the supply chain. Legal and financial ancillary businesses serve the industry.
Cannabis market value
As more countries legalize cannabis, this industry won’t burn out.
Cannabis’ $20.47 billion market size in 2020 seems small. The cannabis market is expected to reach $197.74 billion by 2028, with a massive CAGR of 32.04%.
