Keep current on today’s market trends
⏱ Reading Time: 5 minutesAs a business broker specializing in the sale of manufacturing companies, one of the questions most often asked by potential clients is how my firm can maintain confidentiality while selling a business and what security procedures we have in place to protect our clients.
⏱ Reading Time: 3 minutesActivity in manufacturing M&A is booming. The California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) predicted back in 2015 that this will be a decade of Baby Boomers both buying and selling businesses, turning over $10 trillion worth of assets and 12 million businesses. In 2019, this prediction still holds. A Forbes article from just this past September forecasted that M&A activity in manufacturing will continue its increase in the next 5 years through the digitization of the industry. All accounts point to a strong market for manufacturing M&A.
⏱ Reading Time: 2 minutesAs a successful manufacturer you already know the cost associated with obtaining new customers. You also know the lifetime value of a customer to your organization. Building a solid manufacturing business that is successful and diversified in customers and industries served can take decades to build. But what if you could dramatically speed the process of acquiring new customers, diversifying your own customer base and at the same time reduce the cost of new customer acquisition?
⏱ Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn an earlier blog post, we talked about what a manufacturing business buyer wants to see in a potential acquisition. We alluded to the risk of information and skill concentration in your employees, but we need to make it clear that this risk is most significant at the top of the organization. More importantly, it’s a risk that often convinces a buyer to pass you up for a more attractive acquisition. If a buyer decides to make an offer it may be lower than you expected because they don’t believe the business can thrive without you. It’s up to you to start building a business that can continue to prosper when you are gone, and you should begin that process before actively trying to sell your business.
⏱ Reading Time: 3 minutesIf you have been dreaming of owning your own business for years, there’s no time like the present to ramp up your search! We previously wrote an article on the “101 Questions You Must Ask Before Buying a Manufacturing Company.” Before you can even ask these questions however, you will need to find the right business! Click to read more and learn more about the 4 Critical Steps.
⏱ Reading Time: 5 minutesIf you are thinking about retiring in the next few years, you may be wondering what it really takes to sell a manufacturing business and attract a qualified buyer who can sustain and grow your business to the next level. Financials are important, but some other areas of buyer scrutiny may surprise you.
⏱ Reading Time: 7 minutesA variety of public programs and innovative initiatives can help you find qualified entry-level Manufacturing Apprenticeship talent.
⏱ Reading Time: < 1 minuteA unique combination of services allowed this company to develop a proprietary process in manufacturing specific components for the electronics industry.
⏱ Reading Time: 4 minutesAt the start of 2019 American manufacturing is booming, and those exiting corporate America are looking to face new challenges and own their own business. You may be nearing retirement age and looking for new experiences outside of your life’s work. If you are looking for a place to start, here are our basic tips…
⏱ Reading Time: 3 minutesHere’s a look at the types of manufacturing companies that sold in 2018 and what we’re expecting for 2019. Everything we’ve sold this year (and for the last several years) has had multiple offers. Not only has each listing had multiple offers, but the listings are going under contract with increasing speed. Here are some 2018 highlights:
⏱ Reading Time: < 1 minuteGrowth is a constant topic for any business hoping to find new customers and new revenue streams. Finding ways to expand has been no challenge for our Metal Finishing &…
⏱ Reading Time: 4 minutesConsidering retirement soon? At the start of 2019 many business owners are examining if this is a good time to put their manufacturing business on the market and head towards…
⏱ Reading Time: 8 minutesThe battery market is growing fast, and acquisition demand extends well beyond battery manufacturers.
⏱ Reading Time: 10 minutesThe highest offer isn’t always the best outcome. This article explores how different buyer types can impact legacy, employees, growth, and long-term success.
⏱ Reading Time: 6 minutesNot every great acquisition target looks perfect on paper. Learn why experienced buyers often find the most value in companies others overlook.
⏱ Reading Time: 3 minutesThis is not a single-process manufacturer. It is a rare, multi-capability manufacturing platform with nearly eight decades of operating history and an unusually broad set of production capabilities under one roof.
⏱ Reading Time: 10 minutesCustomer concentration is only one part of manufacturing M&A diligence. Learn how buyers evaluate contracts, repeat revenue, pricing power, margins, switching costs, and customer transferability before assigning value.
⏱ Reading Time: 12 minutesHow LLC partnership reorganizations can help manufacturers preserve AS9100, Nadcap, ISO, ITAR, and customer approvals during an M&A transaction while still achieving many of the tax and continuity benefits buyers seek.
⏱ Reading Time: 11 minutesThe U.S. Autonomous Underwater Vehicle market is rapidly emerging as a high-growth, strategically important sector and manufacturers serving this space may be entering a strong window to explore valuation and acquisition opportunities.
⏱ Reading Time: 8 minutesA strong CPA firm can play a critical role in a successful manufacturing M&A transaction by helping sellers prepare for diligence, avoid costly surprises, and protect business value before going to market.
⏱ Reading Time: 10 minutesAging infrastructure and rising investment are driving growth and increasing M&A opportunities in the water and wastewater sector, while attracting strong buyer interest and premium valuations.
⏱ Reading Time: 2 minutesAfter decades spent building a respected manufacturing company, many owners find that preparing for a transition is about far more than numbers, it’s about legacy, employees, and community.
⏱ Reading Time: 14 minutesThe semiconductor supply chain is entering a major growth phase. Learn why manufacturers in this space are attracting strong acquisition interest.
⏱ Reading Time: 10 minutesCustomer deposits recorded as revenue can quietly erode deal value. Learn how to correct, normalize, and negotiate these issues before they impact your purchase price.
⏱ Reading Time: 4 minutesIn M&A, the human element often determines success. Learn how Emotional Intelligence helps buyers and sellers navigate complexity, protect legacy, and close deals.
⏱ Reading Time: 20 minutesSelling a manufacturing business? This guide breaks down the must-have due diligence items buyers will ask for after LOI—so you can protect valuation, move faster, and close with confidence.
⏱ Reading Time: 4 minutesPreparing your manufacturing business for sale in 2026 demands strategic alignment across financials, operations, technology, risk management, and growth planning. Learn the 12 seller readiness pillars driving higher valuations.
⏱ Reading Time: 11 minutesWhy social media matters in manufacturing: learn how manufacturers use LinkedIn, video, and digital platforms to attract buyers, build trust, and drive RFQs.
⏱ Reading Time: 4 minutesUnderstanding how PE works, their exit strategies, and their track record is key to ensuring your life’s work continues to thrive long after the deal closes.
⏱ Reading Time: 13 minutesLearn Why Now Is The Ideal Time To Sell Your Manufacturing Business. Explore Market Trends, Valuations, and Expert Tips To Maximize Your Sale.
Today, on the Women and Manufacturing Podcast, Ellen shares with Fran her experiences, good and bad, as a woman in manufacturing and the wisdom she’s gained along the way, including the importance of all women sharing what they’ve learned, collaborating and cooperating with other women in the interest of overcoming any barrier to success.
On this episode of the WAM Podcast, Fran welcomes Whitney Koch, Marketing Communications Specialist with Welker Inc., in Sugarland, Texas. Whitney shares with us how she transitioned from a high school teacher to writing technical copy and finally managing the digital marketing efforts for a 3rd generation manufacturing company. Whitney explains how small to medium-sized companies can handle their digital marketing in-house, including the various platforms she uses to get the job done.
On today’s episode, Fran and Elysabeth discuss the need for change in the global food supply system to address global population growth. Elysabeth explains in detail how we use our resources to create food is inefficient. 77% of our agricultural land is used for animals to graze and to grow crops to feed those animals. This 77% returns only 18% of our calories. On top of that, 42% of our clean water supply is used to grow crops for and as drinking water for those same animals. As we move forward with a rapidly growing population, these inefficiencies are not sustainable.
How do you bridge the disconnect between manufacturing companies and their potential marketing success? Emily Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Marketing Metal, explains why her company is successful, while other marketing agencies struggle to meet manufacturing companies in the middle. From hesitancy when handing over marketing to inexperience in laying out goals and misunderstanding why marketing is needed at all, the reasons for disconnect are seemingly endless.
Today, on the Woman and Manufacturing Podcast, Fran Brunelle talks with Lauren Dunford, CEO of Guidewheel, a global software company. This company is on a mission to empower all the world’s factories to reach sustainable peak performance, and Lauren is on a mission to show everyone how Guidewheel is making this a reality. Lauren shares with Fran how even the oldest manufacturing equipment can take advantage of Guidewheel’s technology to achieve peak performance.
Kara Branch is an engineer who has always been the only Black woman on all the teams she’s ever worked on and has experienced many challenges as a result. When one of her daughters decided she also wanted to pursue a career in engineering, Kara decided she wanted better for the next generation and so she founded the Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation. Today she joins us to tell us more about the fantastic work she is doing. Tuning in you’ll discover how the Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation is developing young women in all areas of STEM. To hear all about Kara Branch, the fantastic organization she started, how it is transforming lives, and how you can help, tune in today!