Button Manufacturing Industry
The shirt and pant button manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in the apparel and textile sectors, as these small yet essential components are necessary for every garment. The production of shirt and pant buttons involves various stages, from sourcing raw materials to final packaging, requiring investment in machinery, labor, and infrastructure. This essay explores the key aspects of the industry, including raw material availability and cost, machinery requirements (both semi-automatic and fully automatic), labor requirements, transportation expenditure, space requirements, total expenditure, and potential profits.
1. Raw Material Availability and Cost
The primary raw materials used in the production of shirt and pant buttons are plastic, metal (brass, aluminum, or steel), wood, and sometimes mother-of-pearl. These materials are readily available in India and globally. Plastic buttons are the most commonly used due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility, while metal buttons offer durability and a premium look. The cost of raw materials can fluctuate depending on market demand, the type of material, and its availability. On average:
- Plastic Buttons: ₹50 – ₹100 per kg
- Metal Buttons (Brass/Aluminum): ₹150 – ₹400 per kg
- Wooden Buttons: ₹200 – ₹500 per kg
- Mother-of-Pearl Buttons: ₹500 – ₹1500 per kg
These materials are generally purchased from local suppliers or international vendors depending on the quality and specifications required.
2. Machinery Requirements
There are two main types of machinery used in the button manufacturing process: semi-automatic and fully automatic. Both have their advantages and costs, depending on the scale of production.
Semi-Automatic Machinery
Semi-automatic machines are suitable for small to medium-scale production. These machines require manual intervention at certain stages, such as placing raw materials and removing finished buttons. The average cost of semi-automatic machinery is:
- Cost: ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000
- Production Capacity: 5000 to 10,000 buttons per day (depending on the machine and the product)
- Labor: Requires 3 to 5 workers for operation
- Certainly! Here are some suppliers and manufacturers in India for button manufacturing machinery and raw materials:
- Button Manufacturing Machinery Suppliers:
- **Classic Buttons Pvt. Ltd.**
- Products: Offers advanced button manufacturing machines, including Italian machinery from Bonetti, Tullio Giusi & Fabes, and other ancillary Indian machines. citeturn0search0
- Website: Classic Buttons Pvt. Ltd.
- TradeIndia
- Products: Provides a variety of button machines from different manufacturers, including manual and automatic options. cite turn0search2
- Website: TradeIndia – Button Machines
- Arti Engineering Works
- Products: Manufactures snap button machines suitable for garment industries. cite turn0search6
- Website: Arti Engineering Works
- Mithra & Company
- Products: Offers snap button machines used for automatic button fixing in garments. cite turn0search8
- Website: Mithra & Company
- Mahalaxmi Impex
- Products: Supplies snap button press machines for garment applications. citeturn0search10
- Website: Mahalaxmi Impex
- Raw Material Suppliers:
- Chetak Impex
- Products: Manufactures various types of plastic buttons, including trouser polyester buttons and formal shirt plastic buttons. cite turn0search9
- Website: Chetak Impex
- Darzi Trims
- Products: Offers designer garment buttons, including coconut buttons, river shell buttons, and fancy metal buttons. cite turn0search5
- Website: Darzi Trims
- Gayatri Buttons
- Products: Manufactures a variety of jeans buttons, including zinc alloy and brass options. cite turn0search15
- Website: Gayatri Buttons
- **Sona Plastics Pvt. Ltd.**
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- Products: Supplies polyester buttons and other garment accessories. cite turn0search4
- Website: Sona Plastics Pvt. Ltd.
- Praga Garment Accessories
- Products: Offers a range of garment buttons, including designer and fancy metal buttons. cite turn0search5
- Website: Praga Garment Accessories
- Please note that prices and availability may vary, so it’s advisable to contact these suppliers directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Fully Automatic Machinery
Fully automatic machines handle all stages of button manufacturing with minimal human intervention. These machines are ideal for large-scale production, as they can operate continuously with a high output rate.
- Cost: ₹15,00,000 – ₹30,00,000
- Production Capacity: 50,000 to 100,000 buttons per day
- Labor: Requires 2 to 3 workers for supervision
While the cost of fully automatic machines is high, they offer efficiency, lower labor costs, and the ability to produce large quantities of buttons with high precision.
3. Labor Requirements
Labor is a critical component of the button manufacturing process, particularly for semi-automatic machines. For small-scale operations, a team of skilled workers is needed for various tasks, such as:
- Machine setup and operation
- Quality control
- Packaging
- Maintenance
In a semi-automatic setting, around 3 to 5 workers are needed for smooth operation. For fully automatic machines, 2 to 3 workers are required to oversee production. Labor costs can vary significantly depending on location, with wages typically ranging between ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per month per worker in India.
4. Transportation Expenditure
Transportation costs are an important consideration in the button manufacturing industry, especially for raw material sourcing and product distribution. The cost of transportation can vary depending on the distance between the manufacturing unit, suppliers, and customers. Average transportation costs include:
- Raw Material Transportation: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 per month (for small-scale factories)
- Finished Goods Distribution: ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per month (depending on the scale of operation and delivery areas)
These costs can be minimized by localizing the manufacturing unit near suppliers and major distribution points.
5. Space Requirements
A button manufacturing unit requires adequate space for both production and storage. The space required depends on the scale of production. For semi-automatic machines, a space of around 500 to 1000 square feet is sufficient. For fully automatic machines, a larger space of 2000 to 5000 square feet is required to accommodate the machinery, raw materials, and finished goods.
- Small-Scale Operation: 500 – 1000 sq. ft.
- Medium-Scale Operation: 1000 – 2000 sq. ft.
- Large-Scale Operation: 2000 – 5000 sq. ft.
Rent for industrial space varies, with an average of ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 per month in India, depending on the location.
6. Total Expenditure
The total expenditure of a button manufacturing unit depends on various factors like machinery costs, raw material prices, labor costs, transportation, and rent. Here is an estimate for a small to medium-scale factory using semi-automatic machinery:
- Machinery Cost: ₹3,00,000
- Raw Material Cost: ₹50,000 per month
- Labor Cost: ₹80,000 per month (for 4 workers)
- Transportation Costs: ₹15,000 per month
- Space Rent: ₹30,000 per month
Total Monthly Expenditure: ₹4,75,000
For a fully automatic unit, the costs are higher:
- Machinery Cost: ₹20,00,000
- Raw Material Cost: ₹1,00,000 per month
- Labor Cost: ₹60,000 per month (for 3 workers)
- Transportation Costs: ₹25,000 per month
- Space Rent: ₹50,000 per month
Total Monthly Expenditure: ₹6,35,000
7. Profits per Month
The profit margin in the button manufacturing industry depends on factors such as the type of button, market demand, and sales volumes. On average, buttons are sold for ₹2 – ₹10 per piece depending on material and design. Assuming an average sale price of ₹5 per button, the monthly production for a semi-automatic unit (producing 10,000 buttons per day) would result in:
- Total Buttons per Month: 10,000 buttons/day × 30 days = 300,000 buttons
- Revenue: ₹5 × 300,000 = ₹15,00,000
- Profit: ₹15,00,000 – ₹4,75,000 (expenses) = ₹10,25,000
For a fully automatic unit producing 50,000 buttons per day:
- Total Buttons per Month: 50,000 buttons/day × 30 days = 1,500,000 buttons
- Revenue: ₹5 × 1,500,000 = ₹75,00,000
- Profit: ₹75,00,000 – ₹6,35,000 (expenses) = ₹68,65,000
Conclusion
The shirt and pant button manufacturing industry presents a viable business opportunity with significant profit potential, especially for large-scale operations using fully automatic machinery. While the initial investment can be high, the efficiency and reduced labor costs associated with fully automatic systems offer long-term financial benefits. The key to success lies in managing raw material costs, maintaining a skilled workforce, and optimizing production and transportation processes to ensure profitability.