1. Product Description: A hinge is a joint usually made of pieces of metal on which a lid, a door, a window, a gate or a box is attached to the main body of the object. Hinges are produced in a wide range of shapes, dimensions, and weights. Hinges are used in wood and metal work industries to be used as components for different products ranging from simple cupboards to big compound gates.
2. Market Potential: The supply of hinges is composed of local production and imports. Local supply of hinges is from cottage industries and handicrafts; and the quality is low and the hinges are used by rural people. Hinges used in urban areas are of the imported types. They usually have better appearance and quality. They also come in different shapes and sizes. Demand for hinges is projected to reach 367000 kgs in 2007 and 391000 kgs in 2011. These demand projections could make a hinge making plant a financially viable enterprise. The Amhara Region can take advantage of this opportunity if it first establishes this plant.
3. Source of Raw materials: The main raw materials are steel sheet, steel rod and electroplating material such zinc or chrome. These inputs will be imported.
4. Process and Technology: Manufacturing of hinges consists of different metal cutting and forming process. i.e shearing, blanking, bending, drilling of holes, rod cutting, riveting and assembling, Electroplating is an optional process to finish the product. Main machinery and equipment required are hot chamber die casting machine, air compressor, power presses, fly press, polishing lathe, belt and disc sander, bench drilling machine, metal lathe, shearing machine, electroplating plant, etc.
5. Estimated Investment: For a plant which can produce about 225000 kgs or 225 tons of hinges of different types, the investment will be:-
Building/shade 600m2 at Br 1500/m2 = Birr 900,000
Machinery …………………………………... = Birr 1,200,000
Working capital ………………………..…. = Birr 800,000
Total = Birr 2,900,000
6. Benefits: Similar to other projects.
7. Location: Bahir Dar, Combolcha, Debre Birhan