§1What this business is
Wire is fed into a chain link machine whose die bends it into one side of the diamond link; workers join the wires by hand to complete the mesh, which is inspected, rolled and packed. Chain link mesh is used to fence farms, plots, factories, schools, playgrounds and poultry sheds. Buyers are farmers, builders, contractors and hardware dealers.
Capacity: 12 tonnes of mesh a year.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A hardware or building-material trader, or someone in a farming area where plots are fenced.
Who it is not for
Someone looking for a high-margin or branded product.
Advantages
- One machine and a small shed are enough
- Low investment (₹9.75 lakh)
- Steady demand from farms, plots and building sites
Drawbacks
- Joining is done by hand, so output is limited
- Wire is most of the cost and its price moves often
- Many local units sell on price
Skills you need
- Setting the chain link machine for mesh size and wire gauge
- Checking mesh size and roll length
- Buying wire at the right price
- Selling to dealers and contractors
Why difficulty 2/5: One machine and simple work; the main skill is buying wire and selling locally.
§3Market
Who buys
- Farmers and plot owners
- Builders and contractors
- Factories, schools and poultry farms
How it sells
- Hardware and building-material dealers
- Direct sale to local buyers and contractors
Good to know
- Mesh is sold in rolls; buyers compare price per roll and wire thickness.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link machine with cutters and dies | 1 | — |
From: NSIC project profile — Chain Link Fencing Unit — private guide — confirm locally
- Wire (GI or coated)
From: NSIC project profile — Chain Link Fencing Unit — private guide — confirm locally
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST registration
- Trade licence from the local body
- Consent to establish and operate from the State Pollution Control Board, where the state requires it
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP fits (₹9.75 lakh, well under the ₹50 lakh manufacturing limit); MUDRA can cover the loan; CGTMSE for a loan without collateral.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: The NSIC profile prints one figure for machinery and equipment plus 3 months' working capital (raw material, utilities and salary): ₹9.75 lakh. It gives no split between the two, and land and building are not included.
Working capital: Working capital for 3 months (raw material, utilities and salary) is inside the ₹9.75 lakh total; the profile prints no separate figure.
Year not printed on the NSIC profile (an older NSIC Training-cum-Incubation Centre sheet) — check current machinery and material prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: EEPC India
- Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Wire price rises that cannot be passed on
- Short rolls or uneven mesh lead to complaints
- Seasonal demand in farm areas
§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 chain link fencing unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST registration), 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 Chain Link Fencing?
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.