§1What this business is

Cases are pressed from tin plate on power presses. Steel strip is cleaned and marked with the scale on a linear dividing machine, then assembled in the case with a coil spring, base, cover and ready-made fasteners. The profile makes 2-metre tapes to IS 1270:1965 and stresses 100% accuracy checks. Buyers include construction sites, factories, engineers and sports users, through hardware and tool shops.

Capacity: 24,000 tapes of 2 m a year, worth ₹20.4 lakh at ₹85 each.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

Someone from the tools or hardware trade who can sell through hardware and tool dealers.

Who it is not for

Someone who cannot keep tight accuracy or compete with imported tapes on price.

Advantages

  • An everyday tool used in construction, factories and sport
  • The profile notes only a few units make it
  • A BIS standard (IS 1270) sets the quality target
  • A small rented shed is enough

Drawbacks

  • Cheap imported tapes fill the shops
  • The scale-marking machine is costly (₹5.75 lakh in the profile)
  • Every tape must be checked for accuracy
  • Small output in the profile (24,000 tapes a year)

Skills you need

  • Press tools for cases
  • Scale marking and accuracy checks
  • Spring coiling and assembly
  • Selling to hardware and tool dealers

Why difficulty 3/5: Accuracy and Legal Metrology approval matter, and imports set the price.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Construction contractors and workers
  • Factories and engineers
  • Sports grounds and clubs
  • Households

How it sells

  • Hardware and tool shops
  • Tool wholesalers and distributors

Good to know

  • The profile links demand to construction, sports and new industries.
  • Tapes are sold in lengths from 1 m to 30 m; the profile costs only the 2 m size.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
Inclinable power press, 20 tonne, with motor2₹1,77,000
Abrasive cutting machine1₹8,250
Spring coiling machine1₹22,000
Riveting machine1₹10,000
Hand-operated linear dividing machine for scale marking (table 1260 × 175 mm)1₹5,75,000
Eccentric stamping press1₹6,000
Work benches, vices and hand toolsL.S.₹15,000
Dies and tools—₹20,000
Testing instruments—₹15,000

From: DC-MSME project profile — Measuring Tapes (Steel) (PMRY series, prepared by SISI) (2003)

  • Cold-rolled steel strip, 30 SWG700 kg a month at ₹22 a kg in the profile (measuring strip)
  • Tin plate, 28 SWG500 kg a month at ₹35 a kg (cases)
  • Spring strip and wire400 kg a month at ₹20 a kg
  • MS strip200 kg a month at ₹16 a kg
  • Fasteners and printing ink₹6,000 and ₹2,000 a month

From: DC-MSME project profile — Measuring Tapes (Steel) (PMRY series, prepared by SISI) (2003)

Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar

Ahmedabad Advance Mills Ltd · Navsari →Anil Steel and Industries Ltd · Jaipur →Hindustan Steels Ltd · Chennai →International Machine Tools Corporation · Mumbai →Machine Tools Impex · Kolkata →

§5Licences & registration

  1. Udyam registration
  2. GST
  3. Legal Metrology licence to manufacture measures, and model approval for the tape
  4. BIS certification (IS 1270) if buyers ask for it
  5. Trade licence from the local body

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

At about ₹13 lakh it fits PMEGP (manufacturing up to ₹50 lakh) and MUDRA (loans up to ₹20 lakh); CGTMSE backs a loan without collateral; Stand-Up India suits SC/ST and women founders.

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: Fixed capital ₹9.63 lakh (machinery and equipment ₹9.43 lakh, including a ₹5.75 lakh linear dividing machine and 10% electrification; pre-operative ₹0.20 lakh) + working capital for 3 months ₹3.62 lakh = ₹13.249 lakh. Shed rented (200 sq m at ₹5,000 a month).

Working capital: ₹1.206 lakh a month (salaries ₹50,000, materials ₹54,100); 3 months = ₹3.62 lakh.

Prices from 2003 — machinery, material and wage costs will be much higher now.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export

9017.80Other instruments for measuring length, for use in the hand (includes measuring tapes)

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

  • Price competition from imports
  • Accuracy failures and returns
  • Steel strip price rises
  • Legal Metrology non-compliance

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working steel measuring tape manufacturing unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

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 Steel Measuring Tape Manufacturing?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. DC-MSME project profile — Measuring Tapes (Steel) (PMRY series, prepared by SISI) (2003)

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.