BUSINESS PLAN ON LIQUID SOAP PRODUCTION



Evergreen Group is a Nigerian Conglomerate that was founded by a group of young Nigerian entrepreneurs with the aim of inventing and making international standard ‘made in Nigeria’ goods. Rock solid, a multipurpose liquid soap came to life as a result of this company philosophy. The general operating environment in our Rock solid production factory is set in line with the standard organization of Nigeria (SON) requirement to enhance product registration. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the product process has shown that no hazardous waste is generated in the product process.

The company gives priority attention to industrial safety by training all her staff on industrial safety requirements and standard. The company also provide safety gadget such as cover-all, safety boots, hand gloves, nose and mouth mask to all production staff and visitors to the factory.
By focusing on its strengths, its key customers, and the underlying values we need, Evergreen Group  will increase sales of Rock solid to more than N356,160,000 in eight years, while also improving the gross margin on sales, cash management and working capital. This business plan leads the way. It renews our vision and strategic focus: adding value to our target market segments, our distributors and our customers. It also provides the step-by-step plan for improving our sales, gross margin, and profitability. This plan includes this summary, and chapters on the company, products and services, market focus, action plans and forecasts, management team, and financial plan.

STRENGTH

Ø  The name and logo of the company which connotes quality of high standard.

Ø  The competence available to the company due to the profiles of the directors (qualified and seasoned business men and women)

Ø  The quality of technical staff that is well trained and disciplined.

Ø  The high quality of our products will be certified by relevant regulatory bodies.

Ø  The company’s investment in backward integration  for the purpose of providing for its  basic raw material inputs that can hardly be matched by our competitors.



WEAKNESS

Ø  Newness in the market  
Ø  Marketing management is not given appropriate emphasis as at present.
Ø  Erratic power supply and outages from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria

OPPORTUNITIES

Ø  The market has opportunities for liquid wash formula products development and brand extension. 
Ø  The continuing trend of customers to quality product offers a significant opportunity for the company products.

THREATS

Ø  The company’s products are threatened  by Government policies on importation. Multi-nationals are allowed to bring in international products at competitive prices or less. Thereby forestalling the growth of local and indigenous companies.

Ø  Bank interest rates, high inflation rates, coupled with dwindling consumer disposable income are affecting availability and cost of capital, operating costs and consumer demand.

FEASIBILITY STUDY
START UP CAPITAL
A working capital of Fifty Thousand (N50,000.00) Naira  is required to start operation. The founders/owners of the company will contribute the sum of One Hundred Thousand (N100,000.00) Naira  in the same proportion. This will be the start up capital for the first year and as the business boom, it will increase.

OBJECTIVES
1. Sales increasing to more than N356, 160,000 by the Eight year.
2. Continue gross margin at a minimum of 35%, and maintain that level.
3. Become the Liquid soap of choice for every Nigerian by Year 8



MISSION
Our mission is to create value for our customers and shareholder by continually improving health and reducing preventable illnesses through the use of Rock solid.

TARGET MARKET AND CHARACTERISTICS
Ø  The liquid washing formula market is a huge market in Nigeria that is growing fast due to increase in population and the desire to have a quality formula by low, the medium and high income earning class.
Ø   Our potential customers are people from the ages of 10 – 60 years which will include  both male and female gender.

COMPANY SUMMARY
Evergreen Group was founded in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and created as a partnership between 5 young and dynamic entrepreneurs but the company will soon be incorporated as a Limited Liability Corporation. Evergreen Group carries our research and develops in science and Engineering field with the objective of commercializing such to create value to the economy and create jobs for the millions of unemployed Nigerians.
COMPANY OWNERSHIP
EVERGREEN group of companies has Etim Bronson, Edet Edet, Ukpong Abasiodiong, Toyomfon Linus and Itemobong Ibia as partners, owners and executives. The executive team own 100% of the equity in Evergreen Group. Evergreen group currently own 100% equity in the Rock solid brand but will share with investors to raise capital to achieve its objectives.
2.2 COMPANY LOCATIONS AND WORKING HOURS
The Management team of the Evergreen Group uses has an operational office at umuokomoche Nekede. Open from Monday to Friday .

COMPETITIVE COMPARISON
1.            Our competitors in the market are the likes of Morning Fresh, Mama etc. These product limits theirs to dash washing formula but we have made our product to be a multi- purpose product which includes car washing, kitchen utensils, cloth washing and for general washing purposes.
2.            We will also make use of our marketing strategy to penetrate into the market and create a sound,
strong relationship between our product and customers.
Break Even Analysis
BEP = FC-VC
Where
SP BEP = Break Even Point
FC = Fixed Cost
VC = Variable Cost
SP = Selling Price
Fixed Cost
Transportation                                                          = 4,000.00
Technical Assistance                                              = 3,000.00
Packaging                                                                 = 2,500.00
Fuel                                                                            = 3,000.00
Insurance                                                                  = 3,000.00
Membership                                                              = 2,500.00
Marketing                                                                  = 7,500.00
Raw Material                                                             = 10,000.00
Total Fixed Cost                                                           = N35,500.00

Variable Cost
General Admin                                                         = 2,000.00
Interest                                                                       = 8,350.00
Others                                                                        = 3,150.00
Energy                                                                       = 5,000.00
 Maintenance                                                           = 2,000.00
Total Variable Cost                                                                          = N20,500.00
Therefore BEP = 35,500  – 20,500 300 = 50.00 Formula
                                                  300

ORGANISATION CHART



















CEO/Managing Director







Director (R&D/Production)

 



Director (Admin/Personnel)
 



Director (Strategy/Finance)
 


Director (Branding/Marketing)



Toyomfon Linus
 





Figure 1: Organisation Chart.
 
 











3.0 PRODUCTS
Rock solid has three basic product sizes: 250ml intended for hand washing especially in public places such as day care facilities, hospitals, restaurants etc. while the 500ml and 1000ml line is meant for large scale uses such as in homes for washing of plates etc.
3.1 PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION

















 


 PRODUCTION PROCESS/PLAN
Stage 1: Measured quantity of the thickener is soaked in the dissolution Tanks for a specified period of time.
Stage 2: The dissolved thickener is stirred for even distribution before the addition of alkaline salt and then sieved.
Stage 3:  A measured quantity of the alkyl benzene sulphonate is added slowly and stirred gently until the foaming disappears to slurry liquid.
Stage 4: Then necessary additives/blending agents are added to produce the required texture and flavor.
Stage 5: Some laboratory test are carried out to check the physical and chemical properties of the products
Stage 6: Packaging for sale
SALES LITERATURE
In order to sell our product while creating familiarity and a positive brand image, we will develop brochures and literature to emphasize the safety and beneficial attributes of using soap especially Rock solid, many of which may not be readily apparent to an interested party. These will be delivered both to persons during a sales presentation and by direct mail.
The Industrial and Institutional Liquid soap industry of which we are a part is quite fragmented, but contains several well known main competitors such as Morning Fresh, Mama Gold as well as other generic brands. The industry is stable and growing; between 2014 and 2017 it grew by an average of 4% annually. Within the I&I sector there is fierce competition for market share among the existing popular soap offerings, leading to lean profits on soap sales.
DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS
Distribution in the liquid soap industry is provided by regional providers. These distribution companies usually serve a large portion of the market based on the respective size of the market, delivering to the organizations monthly or bi-monthly depending on demand and usage patterns. Food services typically receive deliveries of cleaning products once a month. Hospitals typically have a distribution system that operates on monthly deliveries of large quantities. Restaurants typically have a weekly delivery schedule while domestic users get from shop outlets.
COMPETITION AND BUYING PATTERNS
Commercial customers select soap based on the necessary minimum safety regulations for the intended user; restaurant and hospital regulations require anti-bacterial/microbial. Customers will typically select a product based on price, distributor availability, and convenience. Distributors will deliver a complete order of cleaning and maintenance products to customers. Major competitors sell to a variety of customers through distributors who receive generic soap from bulk producers, then repackage and deliver it along with other products it sells, utilizing the same distribution systems.
CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT
The company will maintain a good relationship with its customers first of all by maintaining its high product quality. We will also introduce excellent customer services standards and make our customers feel revered. Customer’s loyalty reward schemes, promos amongst others things will also be embarked upon to appreciate our customers.

ADVERTISING & SALES
Planned promotion /advertising type
Expected business improvement
Online advertising
Online advertising will create awareness for Rock solid and bring hits to our website which will bring sales both online and offline.
Social Media such as Facebook, google +, twitter etc
There are a lot of potential customers on the social media thus having a social media presence will lead to general awareness about Rock solid and will thus lead to sales online and offline.
Handbills
Handbills placed at strategic public places and given hand to hand will create awareness for Rock solid prompting its sales from shelves in stores
Stickers
Stickers to be pasted on vehicles, Bags, Laptops etc will create awareness prompting sales from store shelves
Posters
Posters pasted at strategic public places and sales outlets will create awareness for Rock solid prompting its sales from shelves in stores
Banners
Banners at strategic public places especially at sales outlets such as stores and supermarket will create awareness for Rock solid prompting its sales from shelves in stores
Website
An official product website will provide an online platform where information about the product and an integrated online sales portal for customers. This will lead to sales online and wholesale and in stores.
Radio and TV
The product will be advertised during some popular Tv and Radio programs. This will create awareness and generate sales.
Word of mouth
The owners and staffs of products parent company will tell their family, friends and associates about the product and this will further be communicated to other potential customers. This will create awareness and lead to sales.

    STRATEGY
SALES & MARKETING OBJECTIVES
Our sales team will be headed by the marketing/sales manager along with marketing executives. The company owners and staff will also be involved in the sales drive. The techniques to be employed include word of mouth, online, tv, radio and print media Advertisement, placing banners and posters in strategic locations etc. Our sales goal/target is to sale all containers of Rock solid produced each month.
UNIQUE SELLING POSITION
We have a strategic advantage over our competitors to succeed in the market even where other similar products may have failed because of the unique high quality of Rock solid which is made from demagogically friendly raw materials and cost effective for our customers too.
SALES & DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
We will outsource the distribution of our product to a good distributor with a good distribution Network.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS
Sales - Our sales are projected to grow at a consistent rate of 2% yearly, and we believe this accurately reflects the average yearly 2% increase in the volume of product produced in a year and the complete confidence we have in the social acceptance of our product and properly utilized distribution channels.
Gross Margin - As we grow, become more efficient, and gain economics of scale we begin to see a huge growth in our margins.
Operating Expenses - We see an increase in the number of operating expenses that we will incur but the increasing gross margins are enough to offset these increments. The increase is due to larger costs involving advertising, promotion, marketing, and payroll expenses.
Inventory Turnover - Our preliminary forecast suggests that for us to be flexible in meeting customer demand we will need to maintain a minimal inventory stock at our production factory. We estimate that, on average, we will keep two weeks’ worth of inventory on hand.
Collection days - We will collect our accounts receivable on an average of 120 days. In 2016 and 2017 we will have the cash to cover unexpected costs or expenses hence the decision to allow a longer collection period.
PROJECTED PROFIT AND LOSS
Our profit and loss projections reflect our expectation that monthly fixed costs will remain constant over the course of any year.
Cost of goods sold increases at a decreasing rate, as economies of scale make soap production cheaper per unit as production volume increases. Based on these projections the company will become profitable in the 4th month of the first year.



CONCLUSION
This business is the first of its kind in northern Nigeria. If adequately planned and managed on good advice as envisage in this proposal, it will be a model in the country and will expand to be the largest in the country. It is highly profitable, worthwhile, satisfying occupation and feasible based on the in-depth analysis shown in this proposal from year one to three. On the whole, the business plan does not claim to be all inclusive. What we tried to do is to give the basis on which an ideal fish farm could operate profitably. As the business  progresses, unavoidable risks, especially those of environmental factors could evolve thereby causing some slight changes to the set up.


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