Idea for a business...

I don't know why but I came up with an idea for selling welding supplies from a truck like Snap-On does for tools. I only saw one place on line that does this and is a big company now with a big store as well. I have never worked in a shop where someone came by in a truck selling tools and supplies specifically aimed at welders. I thought you could sell good coveralls for welding(harder to find) and stock a good selection of common things as well as some specialty items. Most welding supplies only deal with the company and not the actual workers on the floor. I think if you had the right products that people would buy them just cause you're there or they didn't know something like that existed. There is a huge market that uses welding so I think there would be a lot of potential. Does this sound like a good idea for a business? Dave

sounds like a good idea !! we have a retired guy in the area that delivers our welding gas. just call him, he brings out what you need, he exchanges cylinders, or brings you out new ones if you dont have them. also sells parts cleaning solvents in 5 gallon cans. once you figure out what welders on on your route, you can stock consumables ect. can deliver to the farmers too. always a pia to get refills.

Actually if you can have a truck driver job selling anything like, food, welding supplies, tools, computer repair, mobile vet clinic, you would do okay as long as there was a market for it.

Sounds like a good idea to me, especially after I've made a fifty-mile round trip and discover I've forgotten something. It would be nice to have some knowledgeable person remind me I might need things.

Never thought about this, you could be onto something!
Wonder how much the Internet cut into the local welding supply store's sales?

I have three welding suppliers close to me, Air-Gas, Praxair, and a small independent. I understand the manager of the Praxair use to be my helper years ago, but I've never been through the doors. I deal with the small independent for 99.9 % of my needs. Great bunch of guys in both the independent and Air-gas, but dumber than a box of rocks for knowledge! If it's not hanging on a hook behind them, they're lost. Don't even think about asking any of them about how to do something!
Dave my point to all this is, with your knowledge, and knowing what a weldor really needs and uses, you just might make a go of it! :wink:

I tried it about twenty years ago, and it flopped.

I was trying to establish a route for a welding supply company in Omaha. Our target market was farmers who do their own repair welding and various farm projects. We found out:

1. Farmer's are hard to catch, and
2. When farmers need welding supplies, they run in to their local farm store instead of waiting for a truck to come around, and
3. Farmers are not high volume users. What the typical farmer would buy, it was impossible to make enough sales in a day to make any amount of money at it.

We gave it up after a couple of months, but that isn't to say it might not work in a different location with a different target market.

Good luck!

Most companies, here in Canada, supply the work wear for their employees so that they are not liable if the employee is hurt on the job. Some go as far as supplying work pants and shirts as well. If your rules are not so strict you might have something.

I'm not talking about farmers. I'm talking about welding shops, heavy equipment companies, construction sites, etc. A lot of guys are working and can't get to the welding supply during open hours. Dave

There's still a lot of places where you have to supply your own coveralls and other tools and supplies. Dave

I think there'd be a huge market for it. Many different industries use welding. I know from experience that even a lot of outside salesmen for welding supplies don't have a clue what they're talking about most of the time. I've also seen some really neat time saving tools that most welders have never even heard about. Just as an example, I show up at a place that does a lot of coping with pipe or tubing and show them a Pipemaster for marking out exactly how to cope the tube at the right angle for a perfect fit. I did see one article on the net that said 99% of welding supplies are terrible at marketing. I wouldn't get into exchanging cylinders though. First because cylinders all come from welding supplies, second because you need special permits and third, you'd need a bigger more expensive truck in order to have enough room for everything. Maybe I should give some serious thought to this. Dave

The place where I get my stuff is a fairly young guy, that has a crew of about 5 that do welding/fab. Then he has a truck for delivering the gases, and since he sells all the other supplies including welders, I expect he delivers all the other stuff on the truck too. So, I think that most people that you would call on would be getting that stuff from the place where they get their gases.

We've got one older guy around here that does that and makes a living but not a killing at it. I think his deal is partly because people like him and order stuff from him as a result, and partly because he has some stuff on the truck for immediate fill of your order which is a big plus. Beyond that it's just too easy to call the local supply house and have them bring whatever you need when they resupply the bottles....I talked to one of our Big supplier reps the other day and he said he doesn't lean on the little guy for about the same reasons I mentioned first...and because he knows the little man has to eat too.......

There was an old man around here who bought a bread truck and put about anything you could think of on it and went around to shops around here.He died about 20 years ago. He had Craftsman tools,good brooms,and a lot of stuff that you need in a shop.Towels,hand cleaner,chain,hydraulic jacks and Porta Powers, mag drill.I cant begin to remember now what all he had.Im sure a truck like that with welding wire,rods,grinding wheels and stuff would work.You for sure would want to sell good stuff.There are trucks that come around with a lot of stuff like Harbor Freight sells now.You have to really look that stuff over before you buy it,and when you do that,there is very little you can find on there thats worth bringing home.
You could throw some welding caps and aprons,gloves,and sleeves on there too.Consumables for MIG and TIG welders and stick welders.Welding cable,ends.Stuff like that they rip you for at a place like Tractor Supply or Orschelns.Also flux core wire.I think its about 20 dollars for a 2 pound spool now.
Maybe a few pairs of good workboots.
Come to think of it,if you filled a semi up with good stuff like that,and followed the Harbor Freight truck around and parked across the street wherever they went,you might be the next Sam Walton of selling stuff.You would really clean up if you could get the stuff priced low enough that you just take the business away from the junk salesmen.I hate those crappy tools that break and round bolts and skin knuckles.There needs to be a cheaper line of tools to compete with the Snap On guys.Craftsman is good and cheaper.I dont think they have trucks.If you could get them to supply you,you could sell a lot of stuff the other trucks dont sell.Say somebody wants a big screen TV for his break room,you could get him one from your supplier and bring it to him.Kind of like a rolling order center.Just pick some stuff you will haul,or say as long as it will fit in a space on your truck you can bring say 2 pallets of stuff like that.Tool boxes too.Somebody wants something,they call you,you get the stuff,bring it the day you come to his place,or maybe they can put what they want to order on a card and you7 pick it up when you are there and bring the stuff the next time.Go once a week,or whatever works.I bet you would be real busy quick if you just knew what stuff to put on there and what to set the price at.

Another thing shops probably would buy is valve grinding wheels,seat grinding wheels,Machine tools to cut valve guides and bronze valve guide inserts or whatever they use nowdays.Micrometers and dial indicators,stands,magnetic bases,machine oil,cutting bits,thread chasers,taps and dies,drill bits.As long as you had them at a decent price people would probably buy that stuff.Buy a few drill bits off of a Snap on truck and you might need to take a loan out at the bank.Places like Enco sell good drill bits for a lot less than Snap On and maybe they would be interested in a delivery truck like you are talking about.

The problem is that the welders in the shop rarely talk to the guy delivering cylinders. The guy driving the truck isn't the saleman and doesn't know anything about welding supplies. He also doesn't give individual receipts to each employee. I think a history in welding would be a big benefit. I was just thinking about it. Dave

Back about 40 years ago when I lived in North Central Mo there was a Forney salesman came around every month or so. He had most common consumables with him but no gases.

Forney were very popular with farmers back in the day. I don't think anyone puts much effort into selling like the real salesmen used to. Dave

Dave- I've been a tool distributor for 21 years, so I'll tell you what I know- I think your route would have to be HUGE to be able to move enough product to survive. Your presence would be appreciated, but your markup would have to be substantial to overcome your expenses, and the guys (especially the shop owners) will shop price over convienience most of the time, moreso if the local welding shop delivers. I think you would find that a much bigger variety of products (i.e. tools) would be needed to make the business work, which wouldn't be a bad thing, just more inventory to maintain. A bigger variety would cause the route to be more condensed, since you will have more to offer each customer. I have two franchises (the second operated by an employee) and each truck has $250K+ in inventory. I don't have it all, but my customers know I'm the best chance around to have what they need, when they need it. I don't do everything right, but I do a few things very well, and I'm fair and honest, and that keeps most of the guys happy. The hook is to sell the customer a product that requires regular service (warranty, etc.) and provide the best service possible, so as to be their "go-to" guy. Make them dependent on you, and they won't run elsewhere. I've also seen a few independent dealers come and go, and I believe a franchise with solid company backing gives you the best chance of survival. DO NOT get hooked up with a company that charges you for the franchise or charges any other "fees". Buying their products from them is enough. If you're serious about jumping in to some thing like this, feel free to email me.

In the sixties and seventies there was a older guy out of Ft Collins.Co that traveled the mountain west selling Forney welders, speciality rod,tools,lubricates and bolts to ranches and farms had a large van which he also sleep in. His wife also took catalog orders at for him at home. He would be out two weeks at a time usually would come by 3 or 4 times a year. When he passed on nobody wanted the business. I still have several tools I purchased from him.

Guys around here stick a chest freezer in the back of the pickup and sell meat bundles door to door. I hope they have remember to keep them plugged in at the end of the day but you never know.

Thanks for the input toolz. I was just thinking that most salesmen only deal with the company, not the employee's and aren't too concerned about selling smaller items. As a welder I know there's been several times when I wish had a special tool or something for a job but couldn't just leave the shop to get it but the job still had to get done. Like if a I needed a new welding cap or had to do a bunch of overhead welding and needed a leather jacket. I think there's a lot of items a welder would buy on impulse at the shop that they wouldn't otherwise buy. (Look at the mechanics with the $20,000 Snap-On tool boxes with over $100,000 worth of tools inside) They work all week and don't have time or want to browse through everything at a welding supply on their off time. I can never go into a welding supply and not check everything out to see what's new. I think welders would be willing to pay a little extra for not having to go anywhere to get it. Even the small independent welding supplies have to have some kind of warehouse and pay big rent, heat, power, insurance, etc. I'm in Edmonton so there is a HUGE welding industry here. Just kind of thinking out loud right now. I think shops and the workers on the floor would really appreciate that the guy selling knows what he's talking about because he has experience in the trade. The welding salesmen out there that really know what they're talking about are few and far between. One website I looked at said to never listen to the welding salesman. It wouldn't be a franchise. I'd become a retailer for welding supply distributors that don't sell direct to customers. Like I said, I'm just thinking it might be a good idea. It wouldn't be too hard to go to some shops and see if there is much interest. Dave

I think you need to be in biusines for yourself ......then you might understand some of the descions your former bosses have made

A food concession trailer worked out to be VERY profitable for my brother.Was a stickler for cleanliness and good food. Never tried to short change anyone and was always invited back in the following years.Set his own schedule and picked his venues. Spent most of the winter in Florida where he only worked part time. He always tried to get me in the business

I deliver parts for the local NAPA store part time. We deliver a lot of welding supplies and between the store, countermen and coumputers the customers are taken care of. An area distributor exchanges gas bottles once a week at the store. It would be tough to break in to the market around here, may be different else where.

Question for you welders: Why does every welder have to have one of those flowered caps? It's kinda like bikers and their black leathers and bandanas.

When I was looking for a new helmet, most of the ones I found have some type of funky racings stripes and such. My barn isn't a Nascar shop. All that pizzaz on my helmet would look out of place and especially for someone like me that can't weld worth a darn with that 110 wire welder. Wearing a flowered cap and flashy helmet might mislead someone into thinking I'm a good welder.

Another quick question/remark that probably isn't worth a new thread: I've got a bunch of projects mounting up, mostly with light square tubing and angle not over an 1/8th inch. If I can't make that wire feed work, I saw the HF 110 inverters were cheap. I read through the archives for years and I see Stan has one and asked lots of questions. It will probably be a long time before I find a used idealarc and then run 220 line out to the barn. I may go ahead and get one to try with 3/32" rod. May be easier than getting the hang of that wire feed as it is hard to get penetration and control the puddle while worrying about the wire feeding with the nozzle so close to the work.

I've been in business for myself. My dad also was in business for himself for many years. Having overly complicated and inefficient practices costs you time and money in the long run. Dave

A good friend sells frozen meat at a flea market. The state of Iowa says she must have a generator running the whole distance of the trip, as well as when set up selling at the flea market. She lives about ten to twelve munites from the farmers market / flea market.

Now on the other hand the Amish don't seem to fall under the rules made by the state, or they have different meat that needs no freezing?

Not all the caps have flowers, some have polka dots. Bikers wear leathers for protection the same way welders wear the caps for protection. On pipelines and other out of position welding, you can wear the cap sideways so it stops sparks from going in your ear. Have you ever had a hot spark go in your ear or land in your hair. Burn't hair has an especially nasty smell. Ever notice that the real fancy helmets cost a lot more too? There's lots of plain helmets available. The helmet doesn't make you a better welder. It can make some jobs a little easier though. I tried to explain that to a kid doing work experience for his high school welding class. He was sure proud of his $300+ fancy Miller helmet. It even came with a special bag to keep it in like a motorcycle helmet. He was worried about getting it scratched! He was having problems demonstrating his welding skills one day because he couldn't figure out that 90 amps is way too cold to burn 1/8" 7018. Take a look at what a pipeliners helmet or other real world welders helmet looks like after a few months.

So what if you don't like the HF welder? For material under 1/8" a MIG/wire feed is much better. If you're not a good welder, you'll probably just burn holes in your pieces with 3/32" rods. HF is probably like the Princess Auto welders up here. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on any of their chinese built welders. Watch your weld from the side. It's hard to see through your hands. Dave

That might work. If I sounded more negative than I intended, I apologize.

I have no problem at all with spending money on good tools, but it'll be a cold day in he!! when I spend $300.00 on a welding helmet. I'd sure like to have all the money I've spent and companies I've worked for have spent on welding helmets for me because they got broken, squished, sank. These have served me well over the years. :wink:

I didn't take it as negative. In fact I agree with you. About 12 years ago I had an idea about about setting up a fully equipped(welders, saws, iron worker, etc.)(Puddles shop) shop where people like farmers could come and build their projects using good equipment and have someone to help them if they needed assistance. I figured a lot of people have taken a welding course or have a project but don't want to spend thousands on the equipment to build it. Even welders with portable rigs could rent space and use their own equipment as well as the shops. I sent out a questionaire(sp) to rural communities and had almost no responses. The few responses I got from farmers was that they'd only be willing to spend about $15 an hour for shop space with equipment. I was thinking I'd need at least $20 and even $25/hr would still be a bargain. Dave

If it were Me I would have a little place in town with welding area and office.

Find the Smartest prettiest large busted well shape girl you can and let her go sell for you.
She can always call you to have tough tech answers taken.

If they need lifting straps or chains have her go get them.

Does such a woman exist? I wouldn't have to answer any questions. They'd keep buying from her just for some eye candy. Dave

Now, Dave...my personal opinion is that it might take awhile for this sort of business to pay off.

BUT...don't let that discourage you. My dad had a friend who was a banker, and whose opinions he trusted. So whenever Dad had an idea for a business, he'd run it past his banker friend. Nine times out of ten, the banker friend would advise against the business. And whenever his banker friend advised against going into a certain business, nine times out of 10 Dad made money in the business. It's just that the banker friend was advising that HE wouldn't put HIS money into the business; not that Dad wouldn't work his a** off and be successful.

Go easy on this.Just keeping a truck on the road can break you now.I am buying zero welding supplies because I m doing very little welding now.I am broke today, just bought 2 bags of grain today.The day of the peddler is gone.While I did well building picnic tables this summer price increases have wiped out what I made.A can of beans went from a a 1.47 to a 1.49 to a buck 99 in one month here.