Firewood Bundle Business or Bust
First of all, the bundled firewood business is very competitive but is a multi-million dollar business. True you must do a large volume to make the kind of jing that makes it worthwhile. I know. I was in the business. You will need 500k to invest to become competitive. USDA approved kilns, a supply of poles which you have to compete with the OSB and paper mills for. A firewood processor which will cost around 65-70 K minimum. A skidsteer or forklift or both.
A shrinkwrap conveyor tunnel which is natural or gas and electric powered. You must design your bundles to fit on a pallet which hopefully is stackable. You will need 50+ K for beginning inventory and you will have to have enough stock on hand to load 50 trucks to start. And you do not get your money out of it till net 30 after the wood is delivered to the Distribution Center. Plan on paying fees to have your bundles sold in chain stores and plan on paying kickbacks to the right people. Approx 1800 bundles per truckload and 150 - 250 truckloads per season. Plan on having good wood kiln dried to about 12% MC. And you had better know what you are doing for Murphy follows you everywhere. But, it can be done, and it can be very profitable..... if you own an onsite gaswell, if you have a landing for big trucks to unload and load, if you have great credit or have investors who are crazy and willing. Questions?