Most people who decide to start their own business first of all pay attention to trading. WITH minimal investment You can open a small point in the market. A large store will require large expenses. But in order for a business to become truly profitable, an entrepreneur should come up with his own twist. Otherwise, there will be no difference from competitors.
To earn money almost immediately, you need to start a type of business that is not yet so widespread. You can start producing furniture from artificial rattan. This is both exciting and will bring considerable income.
Artificial rattan
Many people already know rattan furniture. Original wicker tables, chairs and armchairs can decorate any interior. At the same time, natural rattan is a fairly expensive material that not everyone can afford. There is a cheap analogue called artificial rattan. This is a special synthetic thread, which is obtained by pressing material through a hole of a certain diameter. As a result, the resulting raw material has almost the same properties as natural vine.
Artificial rattan looks beautiful and natural. In addition, there is an opportunity to preserve nature. After all, natural vines do not have time to grow at the rate at which they are used in furniture production.
Advantages
Artificial rattan does not require special handling. It is very easy to maintain, easy to clean and repair. It is recommended to periodically wipe furniture that is placed outside with a damp cloth. Synthetic material does not react to weather changes and does not change under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. 
Natural vines, from which expensive furniture is made, can sprout. This problem does not exist if garden chair made of synthetic thread. At the same time, many artificial products are practically no different from natural ones.
Reviews of artificial rattan furniture
Buyers note that tables and chairs made from artificial wicker are practically no different from furniture made from natural raw materials. At the same time, artificial rattan has great amount benefits. This is the best option for the street. After all, the material does not deteriorate under the influence of direct sun rays or precipitation. This cannot be said about natural raw materials. Garden furniture made of artificial rattan can last for years, while chairs and tables made of natural material quickly lose their shape. In addition, artificial thread is much cheaper. 
Manufacturers also share the benefits of making furniture from artificial rattan. All you need is a machine for making synthetic thread. The production employees can do everything else manually. In order to open your own business, you do not need to have a large start-up capital.
What can be made from artificial rattan?
Items made from synthetic thread should not only be beautiful, but also practical. The most popular is garden furniture made of artificial rattan. Small chairs, coffee tables, stools, swings - all this is perfect for a small courtyard. This furniture is very comfortable. In addition, it will add zest to the garden. 
In the house, wicker furniture made from artificial rattan will also look very original. You can decorate not only the living room, but also the kitchen or bathroom in a special style. After all, artificial rattan is not at all afraid of moisture, unlike natural material. You can decorate wicker furniture with small matching pillows.
Equipment for the production of
First of all, you will have to spend money on equipment for making artificial thread and weaving it. Of course, you can buy ready-made raw materials. But in this case, the business will not be so profitable. Additionally, those who have a special machine for making artificial rattan can experiment with colors and shapes. You can make a thread that will not differ in color from natural vine, or you can add bright colors to the product. 
Additionally, wicker furniture made of artificial rattan will require costs for the following installations: a cooling system, a winder, a mixer, a crusher for processing secondary raw materials. Purchasing all this equipment will be quite expensive. You will have to spend at least 1 million rubles. On initial stage All these installations can be rented with subsequent purchase.
What else can you make money on if you have your own equipment?
Your own installation for the production of artificial rattan can itself generate good income. It is possible to produce artificial thread for those who want to engage in furniture production, but do not have the initial capital to purchase their equipment. That is, artificial thread can be produced for sale. In addition, artificial rattan is not the only material that can be made. If you purchase additional attachments, you can make synthetic reeds, raffia or other materials that you can use in your own business or sell to partners. 
It is worth noting that equipment for the production of artificial rattan is difficult to maintain. You will have to periodically invite specialists to set up the installation and check its operation. Prevention should not be neglected. High quality artificial rattan can only be produced using appropriate equipment. Synthetic threads must be uniform in structure and durable.
Sales market
Artificial rattan furniture appeared on the domestic market relatively recently. This is due to the fact that natural raw materials are quite expensive. Previously, only a few could afford wicker furniture. But there were no installations for the production of synthetic threads on Russian territory. The artificial rattan set, brought from abroad, also cost a lot of money.
Today, the domestic wicker furniture market is developing quite actively. At the same time, competition in this niche is still low. Not everyone decides to make their own furniture from artificial rattan. And those who have a special installation can offer quality tables, armchairs and stools at affordable price. Low cost quality products have always attracted consumers. Therefore, those who decide to engage in this type of business will definitely not have problems with the sales market.
Install environmentally in your home clean furniture, which also has excellent aesthetic qualities, is the dream of many people, but not everyone can afford to purchase designer products made from natural material. To reduce the cost of producing rattan products, scientists have obtained a production technology plastic tape, from which wicker products can be made, relatively inexpensively.
Such a change does not have a negative impact on aesthetic qualities, as well as wear resistance, so if you take this achievement of science into business arsenal, the production of artificial rattan furniture can be organized without significant financial costs, and sales of products will be carried out much more efficiently due to a reduction in the retail cost of such products.
Natural and artificial rattan
The natural material consists of processed rattan palm stems, which in their natural growing environment reach a length of 300 meters. Rattan palm grows in countries with a tropical climate, so procurement and delivery of raw materials to European countries is an expensive process. The use of expensive raw materials predetermines the final cost of the product, which is why there is a need to use a substitute for natural material.
Artificial rattan is produced by extrusion of polyethylene and rubber. To impart the necessary properties, special additives are added. A substitute for natural rattan has sufficient hardness for making furniture, while the thickness artificial material does not exceed 12 mm. Rattan obtained as a result of polymer extrusion has the following positive qualities:
- Available in a wide variety of colors and textures.
- Easy to carry high humidity and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- The material can be reused after recycling.
- Does not require special care.
Considering such positive traits, a business producing wicker furniture from artificial rattan to order will be highly profitable, primarily due to minimizing the cost of purchasing basic raw materials. An artificial analogue will cost the entrepreneur much less, which will significantly reduce the cost finished product.
Polyrattan furniture: production process
Furniture made from synthetic rattan is made by hand, so to operate a large workshop you will need to hire highly qualified weaving craftsmen. If you have experience self-made rattan products, then personnel can be trained without the involvement of professional braiders. To develop original sketches, you will also need to hire a designer, and for large production volumes and significant volumes individual orders There should be several such specialists.
Furniture production is carried out in the following sequence:
- A detailed sketch is made.
- In production metal base.
- Weaving furniture is carried out according to the sketch.
- Final processing of the product.
At the last stage of the production of artificial rattan furniture, excess is trimmed, as well as the furniture is coated with varnish or other protective compounds.
Raw materials for the production of polyrattan furniture
To effectively produce furniture from this synthetic rattan, you cannot do without the use of the following materials:
- Artificial rattan in bays.
- Metal rods for making the base.
- Paint and varnish materials for final processing.
The largest item of expenditure among the necessary purchases will be the purchase of rattan, which large quantities is produced in China, so even with considerable delivery costs, the cost of such material will be noticeably lower than the material offered domestic manufacturer. The price of artificial rattan starts from 220 rubles per kilogram, regardless of the color of the purchased raw material.
Metal parts And paints and varnishes can be easily purchased both in the retail network and through intermediaries engaged in the sale of these goods in wholesale quantities. Last option is more preferable because the cost of products purchased in large quantities will be noticeably lower.
How to reduce costs?
Considering the fact that it is not always possible to buy artificial rattan in our country at the best price. Many entrepreneurs involved in the production of artificial rattan products purchase and install equipment for the independent production of synthetic raw materials. The cost of such equipment is quite high and machines have to be purchased abroad, but even for a medium-sized factory in terms of the volume of furniture produced, this option for reducing costs will be very effective. Thanks to the installation of equipment, there will be no need to purchase artificial rattan in coils, and the difference between purchased raw materials and those made independently will allow you to fully recoup the investment within 1 year.
Types of artificial rattan furniture
The larger the range of artificial rattan furniture produced, the easier it will be to sell a large volume finished products.
The most popular products made from this material are.
- Chaise lounge
Owners of private houses often purchase this type of furniture for installation on personal plot under open air. Also, these products are well purchased by private hotels and other representatives of businesses focused on people's recreation.
- Armchair
This artificial wicker furniture is most often produced in the form of wheelchairs. Products made from polyrattan are lightweight, have high mechanical strength and good aesthetic properties. These products are purchased by people who want to tastefully furnish a room with a fireplace or any other room where they can sit in a cozy armchair.
- Sofa
A very popular type of furniture that can be made to order. Thus, in addition to what is supplied in trading network standard furniture, it will be possible to significantly expand production volume through the sale of sofas, the design of which will be made in a single copy.
In addition to the listed models, garden furniture made of artificial rattan is in good demand, especially hanging models that can be easily installed in the garden.
Furniture can be manufactured either individually or in the form of sets. A set of artificial rattan furniture made in the same style is perfect for furnishing a living room. A set of furniture can also be made for placement outdoors, especially in a barbecue area or on the lawn near a fountain or alpine slide.
Sales of finished products
Furniture made from artificial rattan is in great demand, but there are not many manufacturers of high-quality products made from this type of material, so you can start this type of business even with small production volumes. Sales of finished products are possible both through company stores, which can be opened in many cities of the country, and through online platforms. The latter option is ideal for small production. Street and country furniture made from artificial rattan can be advertised on gardening forums. To do this, just contact the site owners and agree on placing an advertising banner on the main page. Visitors will follow a link to the online store, where they will be able to select furniture from the available range or order products according to an individually designed sketch. The production of custom-made furniture is more preferable due to the guaranteed sale of manufactured products.
Profitability of polyrattan furniture production
A properly established technology for the production of artificial rattan furniture will allow you to minimize the cost, which, given the high cost of the finished product, will allow you to return the investment within the first 6 months of operation furniture factory. If the production of furniture from artificial rattan will be carried out on our own without the involvement of hired labor, and for the location of the workshop will be used own premises, then an initial capital of 150 - 200 thousand rubles will be enough to open your own business producing high-quality rattan products. If you have no experience in making such products, you can learn. For this purpose, it is enough to study the literature and watch videos on the Internet on how to make wicker furniture made from artificial rattan with your own hands.
In this way you can organize a small home business, expenditure part which will be significantly reduced due to the absence of the need to pay rent, and there will also be no need to spend time and money on travel. If you have an empty garage, then you can use this room for small production. Outbuildings that are connected to electricity can also be converted into a workshop.
Conclusion
How to start your own artificial rattan furniture production is easy to figure out if you read this article, but the subtleties of this business, as well as all the nuances and pitfalls can only be studied by starting the direct production and sale of this product.
Attachments: from 195,000 rubles
Payback: from 1 month
Rattan wicker tables, chairs and sofas give country house cozy view. But natural material has a high cost - it needs to be transported from tropical countries. Therefore, an inexpensive synthetic analogue, polyrottan, has gained popularity. It looks almost as attractive, does not lose shape under the influence of moisture, sun and wind and does not require special care.
Business concept
First, decide whether to purchase an extruder line for making artificial rattan or not. On the one hand, this is beneficial: the necessary raw materials for weaving are always at hand. On the other hand, opening production requires additional costs (the device itself costs from 300,000 to 2,000,000 rubles). Plus rent for premises, utilities, wages for workers, costs for raw materials and dyes. Let's consider a simpler option: you agreed with the manufacturer on the supply of artificial rattan and began creating the furniture itself.
If you are planning to open a workshop for weaving artificial rattan furniture, consider three important points:
- Only manual labor is used in production.
- The material is easy to use and does not require careful storage conditions.
- The process of weaving from polyrattan is faster than from natural material.
You can weave technorattan furniture not only for your home, but also for garden and beach furniture. It is beautiful because it does not need to be protected from rain and sun. Vases, baskets, battery screens, souvenirs, fences, small architectural forms for the garden, even high-tech office chairs.
Hence the conclusion: to target audience include owners country houses, hotels with open verandas or by the beaches, owners summer restaurants and furniture boutiques. Implemented similar business in two directions: manufacturing furniture to order and selling finished products.
What will be required for implementation?
If you decide to engage in home work, you will need premises. It can be rented inexpensively, since the location and special conditions don't matter.
Such a stage as product design can be outsourced. The services of a remote specialist will be cheaper.
The same applies to accounting. For small volumes, accounting web services are sufficient. To begin with, two masters and two apprentices are sufficient as personnel.
If you don't make your own synthetic thread, you will need to purchase it. The average cost of poly rattan is 180 rubles per kg. But if you buy in bulk, you can negotiate cheaper. A compact chair requires up to 5 kg, a sofa with two chairs costs from 25 kg or more. You also need tools for weaving and for making an aluminum frame, and the metal itself for it.
Step-by-step instruction
First of all, you need to imagine how to actually weave a chair or sofa. And then hire employees. In general, to organize a mini-enterprise for the production of furniture from technorattan, you will need:
- Create a business plan. It is better in three versions - optimistic, pessimistic and realistic.
- Find weaving masters.
- Find potential clients and preliminarily agree on the supply of furniture.
- Register an individual entrepreneur. Taxation regime – simplified tax system “Income”.
- Find and rent a room.
- Purchase raw materials and tools.
The next step is to take orders or act at your own risk in hopes of selling furniture.
Financial calculations
To understand the benefits of implementing a business idea, you need the right strategy and calculations.
Starting capital and monthly expenses
If you do not plan to buy an extruder line, your start-up costs will be as follows (in rubles):
- premises rental – 15,000;
- materials – 50000;
- tools – 50,000;
- fund wages(for the first month) – 80,000.
Masters are expected to be paid 30,000 rubles each, and their assistants – 10,000 rubles each. The total amount is 195,000 rubles. Monthly expenses without taxes will be 145,000 rubles. Tools are purchased once.
Probable earnings and payback periods
Cost of finished products: armchair - 30,000 rubles, sofa - 90,000 rubles, armchairs and table on the veranda - 50,000 rubles. This volume of work can easily be mastered by one person in a month. Total 170,000 rubles. If you have two masters and two apprentices on your staff, the amount must be multiplied by three.
The monthly income of the enterprise is 510,000 rubles.
If you subtract taxes (6%), you get 479,400 rubles. You need to remove monthly expenses from them.
Total net profit is 334,400 rubles. As you can see, in an optimistic scenario, the business will be able to pay for itself within a month of operation.
Risks and disadvantages of business
Wicker furniture is now popular, and many rightly see this as an opportunity to make money. But the niche has not yet been completely occupied. So there is time to promote your business idea. And upon delivery quality furniture Without huge markups, there will be demand for products both in winter and summer.
Let's consider what other advantages and risks of a business idea are:
It is more profitable to work on pre-orders. And so that the customer does not change his mind, at least half of the prepayment amount is required.
Weaving furniture and interior accessories from artificial rattan - a great opportunity Show off your creativity and make good money at the same time.
Over the years, production victories on the part of the Russian industrial community have noticeably decreased. They praise the West more and more and remember less and less about their own achievements. Meanwhile, the country has not lost its enterprising people. For example, Vologda entrepreneur Evgeniy Suvorov became a pioneer in the production of a full cycle of wicker furniture made from artificial rattan in Russia.
Rattan furniture found its connoisseurs back in Tsarist Russia in the 18th century. Then, according to historians, this newfangled accessory made from natural raw materials was presented to high society under the patronage of Prince Golitsyn. However, with the creation of an innovative material - artificial rattan - in the 1940s, new era exotic furniture. It was her for the first time in Russian Federation began to be produced in the Vologda region under the mebius brand.
Against the flow
And it all started quite banally. While traveling around Greece, the director of Atlantic LLC first saw wicker furniture made from artificial rattan. Returning to his homeland, he began to become interested in this product and found out that no one in Russia made anything like it. The closest manufacturer of similar furniture could only be found in Ukraine. At that time, this market segment was occupied only by sellers of finished products, and there was no hint of release. Through outsourcing, the newly minted businessman analyzed the capacity of the Russian market, studied consumer interest and demand. After which he made the final decision to launch the production of wicker furniture from artificial rattan in a domestic format with initial capital more than 10 million rubles.
The decision to open a full-cycle enterprise was based on getting away from dependence on imports. Initially, it was clear that our own production of artificial rattan tape would make it possible in the future to produce material of any length, and the color, shape and cross-section could be set depending on the design of the future product. At the same time, the manager initially set a high bar for himself and his subordinates - to produce products of impeccable quality. In his opinion, just releasing the tape on own equipment, you can fully control the entire process, being responsible for the quality of the final product. Adding to this control of incoming materials for the manufacture of furniture frames - aluminum and steel Russian production, double quality control inspection of manufactured products, the manufacturer achieved its goal: wicker furniture meets all quality requirements European level. Undoubtedly, desire alone is not enough. Soon the ideas took on very real forms in the form of a factory and were supplemented with specialized equipment from China. To effectively start production, specialists were brought in to set up the purchased equipment, and then active staff training began. First of all, jobs were given to specialists of an almost obsolete profession - weavers. At that time, the entire staff consisted of a couple of dozen people. The main workshop was located in Sokol, where frames were made from aluminum so that the furniture would be light and the metal would not oxidize or rust. The frames were welded and braided right there. They also created several types of rattan: round, flat and “lentil” semicircle.
A lot of time passed until production reached a high-quality level, until the composition of artificial rattan threads became such that it ensures strength, reliability, and elasticity. We brought artificial rattan threads to ideal proportions so that the furniture for a long time retained color, shape and was comfortable, convenient and ergonomic.
In search of the "fairway"
Certainly, ready-made instructions there was no such production upon the launch. Through trial and error, the team succeeded. At first glance, the production process is not so complicated: the production of artificial rattan tape of the mebius brand, then welding of the frame, its powder coating, drying, hand braiding, control of the finished product and packaging. However, it turned out as in the original Russian proverb - the first pancake came out lumpy. The debut of furniture samples released in 2011 did not take place.
The first batch of products produced to order had to be returned, and a series of tests of the finished product were carried out, for the subsequent refinement of the formula of the tape itself. Beginning wholesale, in 2011 it was difficult to overcome the barrier associated with mistrust that a full-cycle production of wicker furniture had appeared in Russia. Many companies that sales managers called were wary of the offer. Who knows, maybe a potential consumer was confused by the fact that the manufacturer purposefully used domestic raw materials? After all, aluminum, metal and materials for the production of tape were only of Russian brands. Or the belief that best quality hidden behind the label of foreign brands? Of course, one cannot understand Russia with one’s mind, but Evgeniy Suvorov did not entrust the fate of the enterprise to the arms of prejudice. Therefore, I made a lot of efforts to bring my own brand to furniture market including thanks to industry presentation events. In March 2012, at the Home and Garden exhibition, which was held in Moscow, the factory presented its products to potential buyers. They were able to see firsthand how comfortable and harmonious such furniture is. And the result was not long in coming: the first sales began from the exhibition podium.
At first, they focused only on the capital region and the domestic market Vologda region. Realizing full well that the cost of the products is quite high, for example, the retail price of a chair was 11,800 rubles, they continued to offer their furniture to a wide range of potential clients. And the company managed to find its niche. Gradually, the level of sales stabilized: about 60% of orders for furniture came from owners of cafes, restaurants and country cottages, the remaining 40% came from retail. Moreover, approximately a third of the total volume of manufactured products were precisely custom development according to the size and design of the buyer.
We took the right course
Initially, some of the products were produced by analogy with Spanish and Italian products, since the models of these producing countries were popular on the Russian market. Most of the client portfolio are wholesale companies engaged in the complex equipment of hotels, hotels and restaurants. Based on the requested models of wicker furniture from these companies, we formed an initial price list of manufactured products. Subsequently, based on their own preferences, visiting exhibitions and being inspired by ideas, engineers and braiders presented new products.
Of course, all the details of product release were and are being discussed with specialists literally down to the smallest detail. According to the manager, everything in a new product is important - how the frame will be designed, what kind of tape is best to use in terms of width and texture, whether it will be convenient for braiders to braid the frame later, etc. The manufacturer has always had a serious approach to the selection of raw materials and materials used in production, because the quality of the final product depends on it. Therefore, materials introduced into production are always tested before the batch is released. So, artificial rattan is a polymer thread obtained by extrusion. At a certain temperature, the plastic is melted and passed through a special hole.
The main advantage of artificial rattan over real rattan is the absence of organic and mineral substances that cause aging, rot and corrosion of real wood. According to the company's specialists, their rattan will last 25 years. They produce tape based on polyethylene, as a result of which the furniture is absolutely light, non-toxic, protected from UV rays and quite durable. As a rule, certification of these products is not required. However, since 2013, the company has been carrying out the procedure voluntarily, carrying out all the necessary laboratory tests.
Now all products have Declarations of the Eurasian Economic Union, which confirm the product’s compliance with established requirements. As well as the GOST R ISO 9001-2015 Certificate, thanks to which the company expands its client portfolio and expands its business capabilities, including receiving government orders and working with foreign partners. According to the company's marketing service, over the years the demand for manufactured goods has only grown. And this is connected not only with import substitution, but also with an already established reputation.
The factory positions itself as a manufacturer of furniture at an affordable price and in a short time. From the moment of idea to the creation of a finished line of furniture, an average of 1-2 months passes. If a new product is designed based on an existing model, then the process goes much faster. Sometimes experienced specialists can develop a model in two days, precisely following the design principles. More precisely, based on the designer’s drawings, a prototype is produced, which is modified in terms of ergonomics so that the product is not only beautiful, but also comfortable and suitable for the customer.
Take, for example, the economy line launched this year on a metal frame. It clearly meets the needs of the market in the current unstable situation in Russia. This furniture is as functional, comfortable and elegant as its expensive natural counterparts. At the same time, it is not devoid of the ability to emphasize the individuality of any interior, and the intricate shapes of chairs and armchairs add a piquant “zest”, allowing you to realize the most daring design ideas into the life of any owner.
Today, production is at the stage of active development and sells its products throughout Russia and abroad. However, the company does not stop there and continues to expand the geography of its presence by searching for sales representatives, dealers in the territories of the Russian Federation, CIS, Baltic countries and countries of the near and far abroad.
Constantly improving and expanding the range of products, specialists focus specifically on production processes and increasing the level of quality and manufacturability. The technology they use allows them to produce material of any length, and they select the color, shape and cross-section depending on the design of the future product. The close-knit team of the company is confident that their furniture is unique, since they are the only ones in Russia who have all the capabilities to provide high-quality wicker furniture on a scale comparable only to Chinese production. If once the production of this furniture was limited to a couple of attributes, now the product range is represented by various variations of dining groups, sun loungers, armchairs, lines of regular and garden furniture, as well as popular compact modular sets for saving space in the interior.
Chronology
2011
Atlantika LLC was registered at the end of the year. At that time, production was focused on retail orders only in the Vologda region.
2012
The participation of company representatives in the industry exhibition “Home and Garden” brought the first fruits of cooperation - wholesale orders appeared and access to the Moscow region.
2013
The company began to produce wicker furniture with a full cycle - from the production of raw materials to assembly. The brand began to be actively promoted in the central and southern regions of the country.
2014
The company begins to expand its geographic presence to all regions of Russia: from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. At the same time, the markets of the countries of the customs union - Belarus, Kazakhstan and others - are being studied.
2015
In April the company launches new line goods intended for HoReCa - NANT bar set for 6 persons.
2017
In March, the company opened an official representative office in Moscow and exhibition hall introduced visitors to the range of her wicker furniture.
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We have already talked about production of wicker furniture made of natural willow, which has a number of significant advantages, from the accessibility of starting this business to the commercial attractiveness of the finished product. And yet, such furniture is more suitable for home use, primarily due to the negative impact of weather factors in winter time. Another thing is wicker chairs and sofas made of rattan, a synthetic wicker made through an extrusion process.
« Artificial rattan“This is a synthetic thread that is obtained by pressing a melt of material through a forming hole,” explains business angel, startup community expert, Ph.D. n. Associate Professor Igor Malyugin. - In fact, it has the properties of natural vine, but is not afraid of the vagaries of Mother Nature. Plus, it is not the reason for the destruction of willow thickets.”
All this may be of interest to a wide range of buyers, including those from the dacha community. Since there is demand, there must be supply, which means an idea of how to open furniture business for the production of rattan furniture may well become a relevant business idea.
Buyers and producers
People who bought rattan wicker furniture note its high performance characteristics. “We purchased rattan chairs for our open cafe, - says Irina Markova from Sochi. - Texturally, they resemble natural wicker furniture, but based on an aluminum frame. This is practical for us because we don’t hide it all year round.”
What do manufacturers think about production? Evgeny Suvorov from the city of Sokol, which is located in the Vologda region, brought to life the business idea of producing such furniture. According to him, the most important unit in this business is a machine for producing artificial thread for weaving, and everything else, including frames, is produced by the 20 employees of his Atlantic company themselves.
Other manufacturer rattan furniture Igor Malakhov, general director of the Street Gatherings company, notes the convenience of weaving with artificial thread compared to willow vine. “Willow rods need to be spliced,” he says. “But synthetic wicker doesn’t need this; it’s made from endless wicker, which makes it more durable.” According to him, buyers have already appreciated the quality of this furniture, for example, sofas and benches for garden plots.
Extruders, extruders - well, where would we be without you?
Almost all production facilities in one way or another connected with synthetics have extruders in their fleet of machines and equipment. Rattan production was no exception. “We also have an extruder installed; opening a furniture business with rattan without it is pointless,” says Igor Malakhov. - What is good about rattan? Its production requires low temperature melt, the plasticization effect occurs without problems and, most importantly, in a controlled manner. For example, you can make thread for reed.”
Depending on the settings, you can produce a rod with imitation under tree bark, a strip with a texture or in the form of a regular rod. Imitation of tree bark consists of profiled polyethylene threads, usually semicircular in shape, but if desired they can take on an oval or crescent profile. The textured strip ranges from 6 to 12 mm, and the rod has a diameter of 3-8 mm.
A typical line includes a complete set of equipment that, in addition to the extruder, includes a cooling system, a 4-wheel transport machine, a winder, a recycling crusher and a mixer. “This pleasure costs about 1.5 million rubles,” explains Igor Malyugin. - But this is already a real factory, since the production aluminum frames can be organized on the basis of inexpensive automatic pipe benders.”
“For the uninitiated: natural rattan is a tropical vine that can be of considerable length (up to 200 m) and even in diameter, sometimes more than 70 mm,” writes forum member AC78. - Like willow vine, palm rattan is inferior to its artificial counterpart in terms of price and quality. I don’t make it, but I buy this thread and weave furniture myself at home. I have normal money. And if they ask me how to open a furniture business, I confidently answer that they should start with artificial rattan.”
“Now there are a lot of wealthy people who buy crossovers for one and a half lemons,” a person with the nickname Vasilich shares his opinion. - For that kind of money I would buy a factory for the production of artificial rattan. And now I work for an “uncle” who has this equipment, and I see that the boss makes good money from this business. And also, for those who have their eye on this business: your own synthetics are more profitable than purchased ones.” 
“Yes, it’s not a cheap start, plus this will require 150-200 square meters of space, but in general it’s not complicated,” Nikolai Azarov from Khimki left the post. - I organized a startup two years ago and planned to recoup the loan in three years. The loan sharks almost gave me a heart attack, so I sold the business. The guy who bought it from me said when we met that it’s a business like a business, but it has seasonal ups and downs.”
Thus, you can get into business seriously with a total investment of 2-2.5 million rubles, or you can get an easy start by buying ready-made artificial rattan. Both the first and second options have their pros and cons, however, this business idea has every reason to become viable.
Alexander Sitnikov, especially for the site
Dear readers, this article was written and published in 2013. The information contained herein may be out of date.