Advice on Niche Market Exit Planning

Selling a Testing Equipment and Supplies Business

Think testing equipment and supplies business sales have dwindled to a standstill? Think again. Although final sales prices vary, the best sales combine strategy and hard work to achieve desired outcomes.

These days, the prospect of selling a testing equipment and supplies business is so daunting that many would-be sellers are biding their time, waiting for a break in the economic clouds.

Despite the overall mood of the marketplace, testing equipment and supplies businesses are still an attractive investment, especially when sellers have invested time and energy in preparing their companies for a sale.

When the Sale Goes Off-Course

The testing equipment and supplies business-for-sale marketplace is a mixed bag of brokered sales and solo efforts. Although there are exceptions, solo sales typically take longer and are less productive than brokered sales. Generally, listed businesses should generate interest within a few months. Likewise, if buyers seem to express interest but quickly exit when you quote the asking price, it's a sign that your testing equipment and supplies business is priced out of the market. If that occurs, it's time to bring in the professionals to get your sale back on track.

Why Confidentiality Matters

Highly publicized testing equipment and supplies business sales are risky testing equipment and supplies businesssales. A low-key selling strategy is a low risk activity because you can control who does (and doesn't) know that your business is on the market. Eventually, word will leak out. When that happens, it can damage your standing with customers and vendors. Successful sales walk a fine line between total confidentiality and aggressive promotion. Brokers and consultants can mitigate the risk by implementing confidential sale techniques.

Pre-Sale Checklist

There is a lot of work that needs to be done before you're ready to sell your testing equipment and supplies business. Perhaps the most important pre-sale consideration is to right-size your expectations to the realities of the market. Armed with a realistic timeframe and asking price, you can begin to consult with your broker about the best way to approach likely buyers.

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