When people think of green technologies and companies they think of recycling and small businesses. They think of small, hybrid cars and people sharing rides instead of driving their own vehicles. And, they probably think of solar panels and wind energy farms- but they probably do not think of heavy machinery and transportation in any way.

There are ways to make even these big behemoths more eco-conscious, and the company that best understands how will be miles ahead of the competition. From how they are used to how they are transported to and from each site to how they are stored at night, this is a business concept that will only get bigger and better as time goes on.

What skills are necessary to start this business?

First, you would need to understand how each piece of heavy machinery works, both the green and non-green version. You will also need to know how to load and secure them as well as safely unload them at the site or back at the storage facility. There would be a great benefit in knowing how to repair most of these machines as well.

What licenses, registrations, certifications or other documentation do I need?

A commercial license (CDL) is an absolute necessity and it must have the right designations included. Your business will need to be registered within the city that you are working in and to include green in your company name or in your advertising information you would need to be inspected and certified as such by the appropriate agency.

What type of background should I have?

You should have at least a working knowledge of construction needs and practices to be effective in this field. You should have more than a passing interest in mechanics, especially where it pertains to heavy machinery. You should also have the ability to organize and coordinate the movement of these machines from site to site.

What is the competition?

The competition may be limited from a green stand point, but you will still be competing with the established, potentially larger heavy machinery companies in the area.

The target market is anyone who is in the beginning or planning stages of a construction project and will need heavy machinery to get the job done faster and easier.

What are the start-up costs?

Depending on the area that you are looking to open in, what you would most realistically need to have on hand for early jobs and how many early jobs you would likely have, your start up costs could become very pricey, very fast. It is safe to assume that you would need one of the most common pieces of heavy machinery and for some (the front end loader and the smaller bulldozer) you might be better off having two on hand.

You would also need a lot to store your equipment on and a building or method of keeping them protected from the elements. Having a security system is important and might be a requirement if you have a business loan to get your company off the ground.

Green Entrepreneurship Resources
• *75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make A Difference
• *Finding the Sweet Spot: The Natural Entrepreneur's Guide to Responsible, Sustainable, Joyful Work
• *101 Ways to Turn Your Business Green: The Business Guide to Eco-Friendly Profits
• *Start Your Own Green Business (Start Your Own...)
• *Global Warming Is Good for Business: How Savvy Entrepreneurs, Large Corporations, and Others are Making Money While Saving the Planet
• *The Plot to Save the Planet: How Visionary Entrepreneurs and Corporate Titans Are Creating Real Solutions to Global Warming
• *Starting Green: An Ecopreneur's Guide to Starting a Green Business from Business Plans to Profits