With the cost of living in Kenya going up day by day, most people are looking for alternative ways to sustain themselves. The same mentality is being used when it comes to food.
I think we can all agree that in Kenya, Ugali is one of the major staple foods for most people due to its affordability and the fact that you can eat with a variety of things.However, in recent times, the price of maize flour has shot up due to cost of production, increase in VAT, climate change, and transportation costs among other factors. As a result, most people are opting for a cheaper alternative where they can go with their own maize and have it ground into flour by grain grinder machine at a cheaper price.
This is where the Maize Milling business comes into play.
With a good strategy, knowledge of your market and a perfect location, a maize milling business will give you lots of profit if properly handled. Now, how do you profit from such a business?
Where To Start
Research about your Market
This is the basics of ANY business you want to start. You need to know what your market wants in detail because if you don’t, then to whom will you be offering your services?
I would like to believe that you know your way around and have built a couple of relationships with the people around the area you want to set up your business. So if you do, that means you already know what kind of maize flour most people in the area prefer. Is it the Grade 2 Flour (Unga ya Kawaida) or the Muthokoi Flour (Unga Special)? If you are not sure, you can ask around. You can even visit the nearest milling business and do some spying (discreetly of course).
In addition, you should also research on the ideal price that the potential customers would be willing to buy the flour.
If it’s a new place, you can still use these methods but you will have to put in a little more effort.
2. Space
You have done your research and have come to the conclusion that the area in question will be perfect for business. So now, which will be the best location to position your business?
Placing your business strategically plays a big role in its success. If possible, I would advise positioning it near a road or a shopping center; generally, a place where there is flow of people. If it’s not possible, you can make sign posts to advertise your business and to direct people to it.
All in all, just find an affordable place that won’t make you strain your budget.
3. Machinery
Next on the list is the machinery that will help you produce the type of flour your clients want. If it’s the Grade 2 Flour or the Muthokoi Flour, we got you covered!
Here, you will want to keep in mind the type of market you have. Is the market size big or do the clients flow in one by one? Having this information will help you decide on the size of Poshomill you need. This will help you avoid getting an unnecessarily big machine or one that will get overworked quickly.
You should also know whether you need a electric or engine-powered machine. If the area has stable electricity, then going for an electric motor will be cost-effective. Always make it clear what type of electricity is in your area (whether single-phase or 3-phase). However, if the electricity is unreliable, then a diesel engine will work for you.
4. Installation
Now you have purchased the grain mill machine and all you are waiting for is the installation and your business will be up and running!
Don’t get too excited and try installing it for yourself without professional help. By doing so, you’ll just be risking injuries to yourself or interfere with the machine and cause future breakdowns. Just be patient until the professionals come and let them do what they do best.
And yes, we do free deliveries and installations upon purchase.
5. Having a Competitive Advantage
For every business, you need to have an advantage over your competitors. You might want to make your price a little more affordable. Just be careful with this to make sure you don’t incur losses. Keeping your clients in mind, you can also start supplying them with the maize seeds they need to grind into flour and offer a discount for a combination of both services. In addition, you can also start selling a variety of cereals just to have a bit of diversity in your business.
