9. Decide what equipment, tools and materials you need for your business

For any business, it can be difficult to assess exactly what equipment, tools and materials are required from the outset to allow the business to become fully established.

It is necessary therefore to examine every aspect of the business, starting with the most basic and essential items. It is necessary to consider everyday processes and to consider all tasks that will be undertaken. This should highlight many of the equipment, tools and materials required.
We have provided some starter guides outlining considerations and some required equipment for various types of businesses. It is important to remember that this is a general guide, therefore it is not possible to discuss every bit of equipment required to run every type of business:

Office
Creche
Café / Restaurant
Care Home
Freelance Journalist/Consultant
Taxi Service
Manufacturing Company
Construction Business

1. OFFICE

If your business is office based or you require an office for certain aspects of your work you will probably need; a telephone, desk, computer, printer and perhaps a fax to get a business 'in motion' and for general, day-to-day, administration.

Telecoms
When getting quotes from telecommunication companies with regards to installing business telephone lines, remember to ask if a deposit is required for start-ups. If so, ask how much per line. Some telecommunication businesses have been known to quote an installation fee of about £80 per line - which sounds reasonable. They may, then, call you back a day after your 'initial set-up call' to tell you that they require an additional deposit of, perhaps, £300 per line before any work is done. So, if you are budgeting for 3 lines, be aware that you could find that your set-up costs increase by nearly a thousand pounds above your original estimates. This can be frustrating if you, now, require extra time to raise more funds and, in between times, have signed a lease for an office or ordered an expensive phone system based on a certain number of lines. If a deposit is potentially required, you will be more inclined to limit the number of lines required to start-up and add additional ones once you have a longer track record as a customer.

Fax Machine
If you do decide to buy a fax, remember to find one that allows you to turn-off the 'automatic report' print outs as this will save a substantial amount on ink and paper! Many faxes double-up as a printer / scanner / copier or telephone / and answer machine - so it's possible to achieve some savings on other equipment when making your purchase.

Computers and Software
Though not essential, most businesses would benefit from at least one computer. They can be a useful tool to help write letters, promotional material, design stationary, run customer databases and manage accounts.. Computers however can also cause pain and frustration when they don't work, so always make sure that important information is saved in hard-copy format!

Office furniture
Getting the right office furniture is very important. Having good furniture benefits your health, working practices and can even reduce the cost of employing and retaining staff.

2. CRECHE

When assessing equipment requirements of a crèche it is necessary to take into account the age and needs of the children as well as the space available for the number of children who will be attending.

When assessing the crèche requirements it is necessary to examine the needs and age-groups of the children. Will the toys and activities be suitable for the age ranges that are attending? What materials will you need for the activities? Do you need scrap paper and paints or glue?

Think about natural materials, i.e., water play, using shells, things made out of wood and cork, art and craft, recycling, card board boxes, paper envelopes etc. It is important to remember before purchasing paints and glues to check their labels to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards.

Will parents provide food or drink for their own children, or do you need to arrange this? Will you have access to a kitchen area? Do you require catering equipment?

Some of the crèche necessities will include; changing mats, sanitary and cleaning equipment, kitchen facilities and catering equipment, bottle sterilisers, cots and play pens, soft toys, arts and crafts, music equipment, books, padded mats, sand and water areas. Despite the specific demands of the crèche, it is absolutely necessary to have a first aid box in the building.

3. CAFÉ / RESTAURANT

There are many individual processes to take into account when considering equipment and material for a café or restaurant. Items may include;

Beverage equipment – coffee grinders, coffee makers, juicers, kettles, mixers, water boilers, water coolers.

Food Prep - fly killers, food processors, heat retaining hoods, mixers, potato peelers, prep tables, slicers, taps, separate meat and veg prep boards., knives and utensils.

Warewashing – Calcium treatment units, catering sinks, dishwashers, glasswashers, pre-rinse sprays, soap dispensers, wash racks, water softeners.

Refrigeration – bottle coolers, cold rooms, freezers, refrigerators, ice machines, wine coolers

Cooking – boiling tops, chip scuttles, fryers, gas hoses, griddles, grills, ovens, pasta cookers, soup kettles, toasters,

Food Services – Catering trolleys, cold display, hot cupboards, hot display, plate racks, food stands, tables and chairs, cutlery and glasses, menu holders, workware, tableware.

Storage - racking, wall shelving

Food Suppliers - Many items should be industry approved, with overriding health and safety issues to be considered.

4. CARE HOME

A nursing or residential care home will require many of the following materials, equipment and resources;

Staff: Professional nursing, caring, cleaning and catering staff

Furniture & Equipment: orthopaedic mattresses and pillows, beds and bed linen, hoists and lifting equipment, pressure relief equipment, hand rails, bed cradles, over-bed tables, electric rise and recline equipment, high backed chairs, foot stools, walking trolleys, perching stools, bed pans and urinals, cleaning and laundry equipment, industrial kitchen, entertainment facilities, books and TV.

Supplies: Medical and pharmaceutical supplies, food supplies.

5. FREELANCE JOURNALIST/CONSULTANT

Not all businesses require high spec equipment in order to operate. A Freelance Journalist or consultant is one example of a business that does not require heavy investment in equipment.

Freelancers often establish home-offices and the main equipment required for that would be: a Standalone PC, email facility, internet access, mobile phone.

6. TAXI SERVICE

A taxi business will require a number of items such as: Taxi cars and/or minibus or multiple people carrier vehicles, two-way radio equipment, maps, phone, fare meters and roof-light/signage. Taxi management and dispatch software is optional but staff is crucial – you will need to have a number of experienced taxi drivers and an experienced radio operator to manage bookings effectively, before starting up.

7. MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Much of the equipment, tools and suppliers needed will depend on the actual product being manufactured. Nonetheless, it is probable that a manufacturing business will require adequate space to facilitate the work benches, specific product making equipment, assembly staff, packaging materials and storage facilities.

It is important to carefully examine the manufacturing process to consider what equipment is required at each stage. This will include everything from workspace, tools and machinery. Health and Safety equipment will have to be considered at all times including protective eye-wear, hard hats, reflective and protective clothing and steel-to-cap boots.

8. CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS

Much of the equipment will depend on the particular area of expertise and demands of individual contracts. In many cases, construction businesses require heavy investment in equipment in order to establish a competitive business.

Equipment required will range among the following: Cement mixers, concrete pumps, pavers, compactors and rollers, dozers and excavators, handling equipment such as dumpers, forklifts and handlers, loaders – which can vary from crawler, digger, tracked and wheeled. Equipment can also include boring, drilling and piling equipment, again depending on the demands of the job. Essentially many of the larger equipment, machinery and plant can be hired from plant and machinery specialists however manual equipment such as shovels, hammers, levels etc. can be easily sourced.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED BY ALL BUSINESSES

Irrespective of the nature of business, it is important to ensure that all Health and Safety regulations are adhered to. This requires that the business has adequate fire extinguishing equipment and that all employees and staff are provided with protective clothing (if necessary).


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