By Libby Middlebrook
If 21-year-old Nick Barton had gone to university three years ago, he would probably have a whopping student debt and a degree.
But the Auckland resident went into the pallet manufacturing business instead. His company's annual turnover is expected to double this year to almost $1 million.
Armed with hammer and nail, Nick Barton started re-building pallets and making drum incinerators after school in a rented yard in Glendene.
Three years later he employs six people, owns two trucks, two forklifts and his own factory. His business - The Pallet Company - produces about 7000 wooden pallets each month for the industrial sector, with customers ranging from paper supplier Spicers to Castrol Oil.
"It's not like I won a big contract, it's just been hard work and long hours and a bit of luck," he says.
"I put an ad in the Yellow Pages and started knocking on doors. It's just gone on from there."
Mr Barton, who lives with his parents and draws only a minimum wage from the company profits, says he decided to go into business because his Bursary examination grades did not gain him gain entry into a Bachelor of Commerce course at Auckland University.
Starting out in an industry dominated by people aged 40 and over, Mr Barton's biggest problem was convincing people to take him seriously.
"People try to push you around, but you've got to stand up for yourself. I've become a lot more assertive these days, but it was hard at the beginning."
Focusing on quality service for smaller clients rather than competing against large market players, his client base grew and he was able to save a 40 per cent deposit on his manufacturing site. He bought his machinery and equipment rather than placing them on hire purchase.
"I've always concentrated on having low overheads. I think if you want to get started in business that's really important."
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