§1What this business is
Bought-in cabinets, heaters, pumps, valves, canisters and microcontroller boards are assembled, programmed and tested with electronic test equipment. Vending machines are used at railway stations, airports, bus stations, hospitals, offices and fast-food outlets.
Capacity: 1,500 machines a year at ₹5,550 each (production value ₹83.26 L).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
An electronics technician or engineer with contacts in offices, canteens and beverage companies.
Who it is not for
Someone who cannot give quick after-sales service.
Advantages
- Small equipment cost
- Growing use in offices, stations and hospitals
- Service and refill contracts can follow each sale
- Assembly work, no heavy machinery
Drawbacks
- Large working capital for parts
- Established brands and imports compete
- Buyers expect after-sales service
- Needs electronics skill
Skills you need
- Electronics and microcontroller programming
- Assembly and testing
- Selling to institutions
- Service network
Why difficulty 3/5: Simple tools, but electronics skill, service and working capital matter.
§3Market
Who buys
- Railway stations, airports and bus stations
- Hospitals and office complexes
- Fast-food restaurants and supermarkets
How it sells
- Direct sales to institutions
- Tie-ups with tea and coffee brands
- Dealers for office equipment
Good to know
- The profile calls vending machines essential equipment at stations, airports, hospitals and offices.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Digital storage oscilloscope, 60 MHz | 1 | — |
| Microcontroller programmer | 1 | — |
| Digital (4½ digit) and analog multimeters, LCR meter | 1 set | — |
| Temperature-controlled soldering unit, drilling machine, electronic screwdriver and screw feeder, tool kit, jigs and fixtures | 1 set | — |
| All equipment above with office equipment, furniture and pre-operative expenses | 1 set | ₹3,31,000 |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Assembly of Beverage Vending Machine (PMEGP)
- Cabinets, heaters, pumps, valves, canisters, microcontroller boards and wiringraw material ₹70,32,000 a year in the profile
- Labels and packing material₹80,000 a year
From: KVIC Project Profile — Assembly of Beverage Vending Machine (PMEGP)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- BIS registration if your product falls under a compulsory electronics order
- Trade licence from the local body
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
A PMEGP profile; CGTMSE helps with the large working-capital loan.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile: equipment ₹3,31,000 (multimeters, soldering stations, LCR meter, 60 MHz storage oscilloscope, microcontroller programmer, drill, electric screwdrivers, tools, office equipment, pre-operative) and working capital ₹13,25,000 = ₹16,56,000; work shed rented.
Working capital: ₹13,25,000 — bought-in parts cost ₹70.32 L a year, so stock and credit need a large limit.
Year not printed on the KVIC profile — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: EEPC India
- HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Parts price and supply from importers
- Warranty claims
- Credit sales to institutions
- Brand competition
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working beverage vending machine assembly unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Beverage Vending Machine Assembly?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.