The portal user tells how to independently make beautiful wicker furniture for the home.
Today we will talk about an artificial substitute for rattan (it is also called techno-rattan or poly-rattan), which is used to make wicker furniture. This material is supplied in the form of multi-colored ribbons, threads, circle segments rolled into coils. Unlike its natural "colleague", artificial rattan does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions. Therefore, I often make street furniture or wicker decorative items from it that can be left on the street. all year round under snow and rain.
Many owners of suburban areas would like to put furniture made of this material in a gazebo or recreation area. But the high price of these products, which are considered a “handmade” product, stops them. It was the money issue that prompted the FORUMHOUSE user with the nickname Lulava learn to weave artificial rattan and all the wisdom of this craft to equip the living room in your house near Moscow with a beautiful and functional furniture where you can sit and relax on long winter evenings. 
Lulava Member of FORUMHOUSE
After searching, I found wicker furniture, which I really liked. Having caught fire with the purchase, when I saw the price tag on it, I cooled down, but the desire to have something like that overcame. Having studied the Internet, I made a firm decision - to start make wicker furniture yourself.
And here are the samples of furniture that the user liked.
Now let's announce the price tag on it: the chair costs 45 thousand rubles, corner sofa- 124 thousand rubles. No wonder that Lulava ordered 26 kg of techno-rattan - strips 9 mm wide and 1 mm thick.
Artificial rattan is sold in kilograms. This ratio of width and thickness, as indicated above, ultimately gives the maximum length of the coil for a given weight, which allows savings.
Also, according to the user, if a do-it-yourself rattan sofa or chair is made with a platform used as self-supporting, then it is better to use a more durable polyrattan, in the form of a circle segment, 1.2-1.4 mm thick, although artificial rattan 1 mm thick has sufficient strength and bearing capacity.
The work should begin with the choice of the base, which will be braided with rattan ribbons. One of these options may be a metal frame made of galvanized or aluminum pipes. But Lulava I settled on the most technologically advanced version - a wooden one, from a bar with a section of 4x4 cm, which is then treated with antiseptic impregnations.
Rattan weaving for beginners: the nuances
The most difficult thing in the manufacture of artificial rattan furniture is the weaving process itself. Despite the many training videos on the Internet, it is not always possible to see the nuances of the technology on them. Information is not enough. Therefore, the user had to learn a lot by trial and error.
Start weaving rattan furniture with the simplest products. This will allow you not to “burn out” ahead of time, and also not to lose interest in work. And only "filling your hand", move on to more responsible subjects.
Lulava
I started the weaving work with an ottoman. Moreover, I had to redo it 3 times until I figured out how to do everything right. Then I moved on to the manufacture of the frame - the basis of the sofa. To do this, I took the dimensions of the Swedish counterpart - 2240 (length) x 660 (height) x 860 (width) mm.
Design wooden frame shown in the next photo.
The assembly was carried out on the "75th", the so-called. "black" screws. Although such fasteners are not the most the best option to connect critical structures (for self-tapping screws it can cut off the hats), the main thing is to think about how the load is distributed.
The armrests of the sofa should not "hang" in the air. The part must rest directly on the load-bearing frame, and the main load is redistributed on it. Self-tapping screws are needed only to fix the armrest - to connect it to the base in the desired position and prevent shifting.
When weaving artificial rattan, it is important to remember that one wrong stitch made at the very beginning will lead to a marriage of the product. Everything will have to start over. Making furniture from polyrattan is the lot of the attentive and patient.
Lulava
It is most convenient to work by placing furniture on a stand. Even after watching the video with weaving master classes, I still have questions about the secrets of work. Everything had to be learned through experience.
Of the weaving tools we need:
- Stapler - it is necessary for fixing strips of polyrattan with staples to wooden base;
- Small pliers, with their help it is convenient to remove the bent bracket;
- A hammer of small weight, needed for finishing staples;
- Knife or cutter;
- Soldering iron or superglue.
A soldering iron is needed to solder the lock - at the junction of the strips.
interesting practical advice for working with techno-rattan. We assemble the frame with maximum geometric accuracy. Misalignments or inaccuracies in measurements can cause more stitches to be sewn on one side than on the other, or gaps are left.
According to Lulava, not important- the length of the sofa, the width of the armrest, because the pitch of the vertical threads can be changed.
But especially important- the height of the sofa, the length of the armrest and the height of the sofa on the front side (from the seat to the bottom edge).
The weaving itself is carried out without the use of a shuttle, because Polyrattan is a tough material and pulls well through the rows. The use of the shuttle will only complicate the work of threading it between the strips.
Today our factory is located onstages of active development and sells its products throughout Russia and abroad. The company produces up to 3000 items per month, in our warehouses about 2000 products in stock, - we can fully be called the largest factory for the production of wicker furniture made of artificial rattan in Russia.
Diplomas, Certificates Factory mebius
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Factory Presentation
About the range of products
The wide range of mebius wicker furniture includes chairs, armchairs, rocking chairs, tables, deck chairs, hanging chairs, lunch, coffee groups, comfortable sets for lounge areas, barbecue, which will look beautiful and dignified in a restaurant, hotel, country house, on the beach, at your favorite cottage and at home. The environmental friendliness of artificial rattan, thoughtful ergonomics, strength and durability - all this is invested in each of our products with the warmth of the hands of our braiders and the love of everyone who creates furniture.
The factory makes models from the catalog, and by designcustomer.
What is artificial rattan?
Artificial rattan is a polymer thread obtained by extrusion. Under a certain temperature, the plastic is melted and passed through a special mold-hole. Thanks to the forming hole, a synthetic thread with a certain shape is formed: a crescent, a rod, in the form of a wooden bark, etc. Artificial rattan can have a different color and texture. The plastic components included in its composition comply with the ISO9001 environmental standard.
How we make furniture
Quite complex artificial rattan furniture production technology mebiusrotang is a process that uses special high-tech equipment and manual painstaking work masters. It is noteworthy that furniture made from scratch, that is, the production begins with the preparation of an artificial rattan plastic tape and ends with a full-fledged product. The technology for the production of artificial rattan tape is secret - the capsules are melted and mixed with ingredients that are known only to the manufacturer, and then, like noodles, they are rolled into long threads on a special machine. The craftsmen make the frame for furniture from red-hot aluminum, then paint it. The last stage is the braiding of the workpiece, it is performed by craftsmen only manually.
Installing environmentally friendly furniture in your home, which at the same time also has excellent aesthetic qualities, is the dream of many people, but not everyone can afford the purchase of designer products made from natural materials. In order to reduce the cost of producing rattan products, scientists have obtained a technology for the production of plastic tape, from which wicker products can be made, relatively inexpensively.
Such a change does not negatively affect the aesthetic qualities, as well as wear resistance, so if we take this achievement of science into service with business, then the manufacture of artificial rattan furniture can be organized without significant financial costs, and product sales will be carried out much more efficiently due to a decrease in retail cost. such products.
Natural and artificial rattan
The natural material is processed rattan stems, which in natural environment growth reaches a length of 300 meters. Rattan grows in countries with a tropical climate, so harvesting and shipping 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 it became necessary to use a substitute for natural material.
Artificial rattan is obtained by extrusion of polyethylene and rubber. To give the necessary properties, special additives are added. The substitute for natural rattan has sufficient hardness for the manufacture of furniture, while the thickness artificial material does not exceed 12 mm. The rattan obtained as a result of extrusion of polymers has the following positive qualities:
- Produced in a wide variety of colors and textures.
- Easily tolerates high humidity and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- The material can be reused after recycling.
- Does not require special care.
Considering such positive qualities, the custom-made artificial rattan wicker furniture business will be highly profitable, primarily due to minimizing the cost of acquiring the main raw materials. An artificial analogue will cost the entrepreneur much cheaper, which will significantly reduce the cost of the finished product.
Polyrattan furniture: production process
Synthetic rattan furniture is made by hand, so for the operation of a large workshop, you will need to hire high-class weaving craftsmen. If there is experience in the independent production of rattan products, then the staff can be trained without the involvement of professional weavers. To develop original sketches, you will also need to hire a designer, and with large volumes of production and with significant volumes individual orders there should be several such specialists.
The production of furniture is carried out in the following sequence:
- A detailed sketch is made.
- A metal base is being made.
- Weaving of furniture according to the sketch is carried out.
- Final processing of the product.
At the last stage of the production of artificial rattan furniture, the excess is trimmed, as well as the furniture is varnished or coated with other protective compounds.
Raw materials for the production of polyrattan furniture
For efficient production furniture made from this synthetic rattan cannot be dispensed with without the use of the following materials:
- Artificial rattan in bays.
- Metal rods for making the base.
- Paintwork materials for final processing.
The largest item of expenditure, among the necessary purchases, will be the purchase of rattan, which in in large numbers is made in China, therefore, even with considerable shipping costs, the cost of such material will be noticeably lower than the material offered by a domestic manufacturer. The price of artificial rattan starts from 220 rubles per kilogram, regardless of the color of the purchased raw materials.
metal parts and paints and varnishes can be easily purchased both in a retail network and through intermediaries involved in the sale of these goods in bulk. The latter 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 optimal cost. 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, such an option to reduce costs will be very effective. Thanks to the installation of equipment, it will not be necessary to purchase artificial rattan in coils, and the difference between purchased raw materials and self-made will allow you to fully recoup your 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 of finished products.
The most demanded products from this material are.
- Deckchair
Owners of private houses often purchase this type of furniture for installation on personal plot open air. Also, these products are well purchased by private hotels and other business representatives focused on people's recreation.
- Armchair
This artificial wicker furniture is most often produced in the form of wheelchairs. Products made of polyrattan have a low weight, high mechanical strength and good aesthetic performance. These products are purchased by people who want to tastefully equip a room with a fireplace or any other room where they can sit in cozy armchair.
- Sofa
A very popular type of furniture that can be made to order. Thus, in addition to standard furniture supplied to the distribution network, it will be possible to significantly expand the volume of production through the sale of sofas, the design of which will be made in a single copy.
In addition to these models, good demand is garden furniture artificial rattan, especially suspended models which can be easily installed in the garden.
Furniture can be made both in a single version and in the form of sets. A set of artificial rattan furniture made in the same style is perfect for arranging a living room. A set of furniture can also be made for outdoor placement, especially in the barbecue area or on the lawn near the fountain or Alpine slide.
Sales of finished products
Artificial rattan furniture is in great demand, while there are not so many manufacturers of quality products from this type of material, so you can start this type of business even with small production volumes. The sale of finished products is possible both through branded stores, which can be opened in many cities of the country, and through Internet sites. The latter option is ideal for small production. street and country furniture from artificial rattan can be advertised on forums about gardening. To do this, just contact the owners of the site and agree on placing an advertising banner on the main page. Visitors will follow the link to the online store, where they can choose furniture from the existing range or order products according to an individually designed sketch. Production of furniture to order is more preferable, because of the guaranteed sale of manufactured products.
Profitability of polyrattan furniture production
Properly established technology for the production of artificial rattan furniture will allow you to minimize the cost, which, with the high cost of finished products, will return the investment within the first 6 months of operation furniture factory. If the manufacture of artificial rattan furniture will be carried out on your own without the involvement of hired labor, and own premises will be used to accommodate the workshop, then an initial capital of 150 - 200 thousand rubles will be enough to open your own business for the production of high-quality rattan products. If there is no experience in the manufacture of such products, then it will be possible to learn. For this purpose, it is enough to study the literature and watch a video on the Internet on how to make wicker furniture from artificial rattan with your own hands.
In this way, you can organize a small home business, the expenditure part of which will be significantly reduced due to the lack of the need to pay rent, and there will also be no need to spend time and money on the road. If an empty garage is available, then this room can be used for small production. Outbuildings that are connected to electricity can also be converted into a workshop.
Conclusion
How to open your own production of artificial rattan furniture is easy to figure out if you read this article, but the intricacies of doing this business, as well as all the nuances and pitfalls, can only be studied by starting the direct manufacture and sale of this product.
We have already talked about wicker furniture production from natural willow, which has a number of significant advantages, starting with the availability of a start in this business and ending with the commercial attractiveness of the finished product. And yet, such furniture is more suitable for household use, primarily due to the negative impact of weather factors in winter time. Another thing - wicker chairs and sofas made of rattan, a synthetic vine made in the extrusion process.
« artificial rattan- this is a synthetic thread, which is obtained by forcing a material melt through a forming hole, - explains a business angel, an expert in the startup community, Ph.D. n. Associate Professor Igor Malyugin. - In fact, he has the properties of a natural vine, but is not afraid of the whims of mother nature. Plus, it is not the cause of 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 the idea of how to open furniture business for the production of rattan furniture, may well become a relevant business idea.
Buyers and manufacturers
People who bought wicker rattan furniture note its high performance characteristics. “We bought rattan chairs for our outdoor cafe,” says Irina Markova from Sochi. - In texture, they resemble natural wicker furniture, but based on an aluminum frame. It's practical for us since 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 a business idea for the production of such furniture. According to him, the most important unit in this business is a machine for the production of artificial thread for weaving, and everything else, including frames, is produced by 20 employees of his Atlantic enterprise.
Another manufacturer of rattan furniture, Igor Malakhov, general director of the Street Gatherings company, notes the convenience of weaving from artificial thread compared to willow vines. “Willow rods need to be spliced,” he says. “And synthetic braid doesn’t need that, it’s made from endless vines, which makes it more durable.” According to him, buyers have already appreciated the quality of this furniture, for example, benches for garden plots.
Extruders, extruders - well, where now without you
Almost all industries, one way or another connected with synthetics, have extruders in their fleet of machines and equipment. Rattan production is no exception. “We also have an extruder installed, it makes no sense to open a furniture business with rattan without it,” says Igor Malakhov. - What is good about rattan, its production requires a low melt temperature, the effect of plasticization occurs without problems and, most importantly, is controllable. For example, you can make thread for a reed.”
Depending on the setting, it is possible to produce a rod with imitation of tree bark, a strip with a texture or in the form of a regular rod. Imitation under the tree bark is profiled polyethylene threads, as a rule, of a semicircular shape, but if desired, they can take on an oval or crescent profile. A strip with a texture is from 6 to 12 mm, and a rod is 3-8 mm in diameter.
A typical line includes a set of equipment, which, in addition to the extruder, includes a cooling system, a 4-wheel transport vehicle, 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 of aluminum frames can be organized on the basis of inexpensive automatic pipe benders.”
“For the uninitiated: natural rattan is a tropical liana, which can be of considerable length (up to 200 m) and an even diameter, sometimes more than 70 mm,” writes forum member AC78. - Like willow vine, palm rattan loses to an artificial counterpart in terms of price and quality. I do not produce, but I buy this thread and I weave furniture at home. I have decent money. And if they ask me how to open a furniture business, I confidently answer that it’s worth starting 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 plant for the production of artificial rattan. And now I work for an “uncle” who has this equipment, and I see that the boss has good money in this business. And yet, for those who have laid their eyes on this matter: their own synthetics are more profitable than bought ones. 
“Yes, the start is not cheap, plus it will require placement of 150-200 squares, in general, nothing complicated,” Mykola Azarov from Khimki left his post. - I organized a startup two years ago, I planned to recoup the loan in three years. Moneylender bankers almost gave me a heart attack, so I sold the business. The kid who bought it from me said at the meeting that this is a business as a business, but it has seasonal ups and downs.
Thus, one can enter into entrepreneurship seriously with a total investment of 2-2.5 million rubles, or with an easy start by buying ready-made artificial rattan. Both the first and the second options have their pros and cons, however, this business idea has every reason to become viviparous.
Alexander Sitnikov, specially for the site
Dear readers, this article was written and published in 2013. The information it contains may be out of date.
Most people who decide to start their own business, first of all pay attention to trading. WITH minimum 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 zest. Otherwise, there will be no difference from competitors.
To earn almost immediately, you need to go into a type of business that is not yet so common. You can start producing artificial rattan furniture. It is both exciting and will bring a lot of 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 rather expensive material that not everyone can afford. Exists cheap analogue, called artificial rattan. This is a special synthetic thread, which is obtained by forcing material through a hole of a certain diameter. As a result, the resulting raw material has almost the same properties as the natural vine.
Rattan artificial looks beautiful and natural. In addition, there is an opportunity to save nature. After all, the natural vine does not have time to grow at the pace with which it is used in the manufacture of furniture.
Advantages
Artificial rattan does not require special operational handling. It is very easy to maintain, easy to clean and repair. Outdoor furniture should only be periodically wiped with a damp cloth. Synthetic material does not react to weather changes and does not change under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. 
The natural vine from which expensive furniture is made can germinate. This problem does not exist if garden chair made from synthetic yarn. However, many artificial products practically do not differ from natural ones.
Reviews of artificial rattan furniture
Buyers note that tables and chairs made of artificial vines practically do not differ from furniture made from natural raw materials. At the same time, artificial rattan has a huge number of advantages. This 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 from artificial rattan can last for years, while chairs and tables made from natural material quickly lose their shape. In addition, artificial thread is much cheaper. 
Manufacturers also share the benefits of making artificial rattan furniture. All you need is an apparatus for making synthetic thread. Everything else can be done manually by production staff. You don't need a lot of start-up capital to start your own business.
What can be made from artificial rattan?
Items made of synthetic thread should be not only beautiful, but also practical. The most demanded is garden furniture made of artificial rattan. small chairs, coffee tables, stools, swings - all this is perfect for a small courtyard. Such furniture is very comfortable. In addition, it will add zest to the garden. 
In the house, wicker furniture made of artificial rattan will also look very original. In a special style, you can decorate not only the hall, but also the kitchen or bathroom. 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 the manufacture of artificial thread and its weaving. Of course, you can buy ready-made raw materials. But in this case, the business will not be so profitable. In addition, 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 vines, or you can add bright colors to the product. 
Additionally, wicker furniture made of artificial rattan will require the cost of such installations: a cooling system, a winder, a mixer, a crusher for recycling secondary raw materials. Acquiring all this equipment will be quite expensive. You will have to spend at least 1 million rubles. At the initial stage, all these installations can be rented with a subsequent purchase.
What else can you earn with your own equipment?
Own installation for the manufacture of artificial rattan in itself can bring a good income. You can make artificial thread for those who want to make furniture, but do not have the initial capital to purchase their equipment. That is, an 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 should be noted that the 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. Artificial rattan of high quality can only be made on the appropriate equipment. Synthetic threads must be uniform in structure and strong.
Sales market
Artificial rattan furniture has appeared on the domestic market relatively recently. This is due to the fact that natural raw materials are quite expensive. Few could afford wicker furniture before. And installations for manufacturing synthetic threads on the territory of Russia was not. A set of artificial rattan, 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 independent production artificial rattan furniture And those who have a special installation can offer quality tables, armchairs and chairs according to affordable price. The low cost of quality products has always attracted the consumer. Therefore, those who decide to engage in this type of business will definitely not have problems with the sales market.