How buying a manufacturing business works

We list manufacturing businesses for sale worldwide and put the numbers a buyer actually asks for on the card — EBITDA, headcount, what plant is included and which certifications the business holds. We are a directory, not a broker: we do not hold funds, we do not take a commission on a sale, and we are not a party to any transaction.

What happens when you enquire

1. You send an enquiry from the listing. It reaches us, and we pass it to the seller so they can reply.
2. The seller replies to you directly, usually from their own address — so it may not carry our name.
3. Anything after that is between you and them: NDA, information memorandum, site visit, offer.

What to check before you commit

The five things that most often change a manufacturing valuation after the fact:

• Customer concentration. One account over about a quarter of revenue is a risk you are buying.
• Plant condition and ownership. Machinery on finance is not machinery you own.
• Certifications. ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 and ISO 13485 usually transfer, but not automatically — confirm with the registrar.
• The lease or the freehold. A plant that has to move is a different business.
• Environmental history. Contamination liability follows the site, not the seller.

None of this is advice about a particular business. Use your own accountant and lawyer.