How to Start a Barrel Making Business in 2024
Last Updated: 12/17/2023
If you love working with wood and are interested in turning it into something functional and beautiful, starting a barrel making business might be perfect for you. While demand for traditional wooden barrels has dropped over the years, there are still opportunities in certain niche markets. In this blog, I’ll share what I’ve learned about getting a small craft cooperage up and running.
Research Your Niche
The first step is figuring out who you want to sell barrels to. Massive producers go with cheaper options like plastic or metal these days. But small vineyards, breweries, cider makers, distilleries, farms, and ranches need wooden barrels for aging and storage. Reach out to businesses like these locally and see what their barrel needs are. That market research will help you determine if the demand in your area justifies starting up a shop.
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Learn the Coopering Craft
Building watertight, robust barrels requires specialized woodworking skills. Seeking out a cooperage school or apprenticeship is ideal but you can also learn via videos, books, workshops, and finding a mentor. However you get the training, be patient. It takes a lot of practice to master the precise joinery and shaping techniques. Don’t try selling barrels until you’re confident in your skills.
Source Quality Materials
The right wood is crucial for barrel making. Well-aged white oak is the gold standard but other woods work too. Find reliable suppliers of staves, heads, hoops, dowels, and anything else you need. Don’t skimp on materials — they impact the longevity and performance of the final product. Building relationships with suppliers is key for any small business.
Set Up Your Workshop
You’ll need space for wood storage, barrel assembly, and finished barrel storage. The tools required include both woodworking equipment (jointer, planer, etc) and hand tools. Make sure to budget for quality tools you’ll depend on every day. Take time designing an efficient workshop layout suited to barrel production.
Market Your Barrels
Once you’ve honed your skills and have a workspace ready, it’s time to start selling your wares! Reach back out to local businesses you identified earlier as needing barrels. Attend craft beverage trade shows to make connections. Build a website showing your offerings. Word of mouth marketing will be powerful too if you produce quality barrels.
Starting a cooperage takes time, dedication, and passion. But for the right woodworker, it can also be an immensely rewarding small business. I wish you the best of luck if you choose to pursue the coopering craft and startup your own barrel making operation! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Barrel Making Financial Forecasts
Startup Expenses
Monthly Operating Expenses
Revenue Forecast
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of wood are best for making barrels?
The traditional wood of choice is white oak, which is dense, watertight, and imparts subtle flavor. White oak needs to be properly air-dried outdoors for at least 24 months before use. Other good woods are chestnut, red oak, and poplar. The wood should be free of knots or defects.
What machinery and tools do I need?
Basic equipment includes a power jointer/planer, table saw, jigsaw, router, drill, barrel hoop driver, doweling jig, and various hand tools like planes, chisels, and rasps. Many tasks are done by hand using traditional techniques. Investing in quality hand tools is a must.
How much space do I need for a corporation?
At minimum, you’ll need room for wood storage, workspace to construct barrels, and finished barrel storage. Ideally you’ll have enough indoor space for large woodworking equipment, as well as covered outdoor space for air-drying wood. A 30x40 ft woodworking shop would be suitable.
What is the average price range for a barrel?
Pricing varies greatly based on size, features, and wood quality. Small craft barrels of 10–60 gallons may range from $200-$1000. Large wine barrels of 60–600 gallons can range from $500-$2500. Custom engineered or exotic wood barrels will be pricier.
How long does it take to make a barrel?
An experienced cooper can construct a full-size barrel in 1–2 days. Beginners will be much slower as skill is developed. Many steps like wood preparation and curing add significantly more time before a barrel is market-ready.
Can I work part-time or is this a full-time business?
Coopering is very labor intensive. For the best chance of success, this should be a full-time endeavor unless you can handle the workload of a cooperage in limited part-time hours. Starting out part-time can allow you to slowly build up business.
