It is hard to believe that the leaves on the trees are in the process of turning yellow, orange, and red from green; the Seahawks were playing football on Monday night yesterday; and we will shortly be seeing witches, super heroes, and princesses on our streets seeking treats on their Halloween night journeys. Where has 2023 gone, it seems like it just arrived.
As we enter Q4 of the year and the first three quartersof the year are placed into the historical record, it is my pleasure to report as the President & CEO of IBA that activity has been robust at IBA in 2023 with the firm completing dozens of transactions across of spectrum of industries; adding more bandwidth in terms of intermediaries to serve the entrepreneurial community, including enhancing our ability to serve first generation immigrant entrepreneurs by expanding our native speaking business brokerage services to include several dialects of Chinese; launching a new vertical for industry representation for the sale of races and fun runs (https://run-broker.com/); while simultaneouslybringing to market a high-quality set of new opportunities for acquisition every month.
Completed transactions by IBA’s knowledgeable, experienced, highly skilled business brokerage intermediary team in recent months have been facilitated in a wide range of sectors of the economy. The transactions have included iconic retail businesses (https://fishermans-marine.com/); markets (https://www.farmhousemarket.com/); community favorite restaurants (https://ellensburgpasta.com/); escape rooms (https://www.puzzlebreak.us/); E-commerce companies (https://www.heininger.biz); property management companies (http://threekeyspm.com/); auto repair & service shops (https://www.greshamtransmedic.com/); construction businesses (https://www.earthheat.com/); industrial companies (https://www.pinchiffmechanical.com/); trade contractors (https://trimechanical.com/); pet services (https://petgroomingnw.com/); and specialty niche companies (https://justicesys.com/).
Companies in escrow pending sale in Q4 include a large electrical contractor, plumbing company; multiple gas station/convenience store operations; a fashion boutique; a classic diner; bakery; and auto parts store.
New companies exclusively represented by IBA on the market looking for buyers range from a sign manufacturing company; cabinet shop; storage unit leasing business; earthworks & construction equipment rental company; Puget Sound market master franchise,and IT infrastructure installation & maintenance contractor to a niche retailer in the fabric & sewing space with revenues over $5 million; furniture stores;tire shop, car wash, & gas station enterprise; bike & ski retailer; waterfront restaurant with real estate; medical practice; and niche manufacturer in the cannabis space.
If you are looking to sell a privately held company or family business in 2024, now is the time to start preparation for that sale. IBA traditionally sells businesses in three to nine months from first bringing them to market. All information shared with IBA is held in strict confidence and no fees are payable to IBA unless we perform and complete the sale. IBA has market leading experience & knowledge across a spectrum of industries (https://ibainc.com/industries-served/) and a regional set of offices in Washington (Bellevue & Spokane) and Oregon (Portland & Bend) allowing for in person, confidential meetings. Our double-digit team of professional M&A intermediaries are also happy to travel to you for a meeting whether you are located in Aberdeen, Spokane, Astoria, or Bend (All places where IBA has represented businesses for sale).
We also, through our franchise brokerage division(https://ibainc.com/what-we-do/franchise-sales/), have the ability to sell new franchised business opportunities anywhere in the United States. If an exit from working for “the man” in the corporate world and the start of a career as an entrepreneur through the purchase of an established business or new franchise is a 2024 goal, we would welcome the opportunity to support making that dream a reality.
Significant dealmaking is happening weekly at IBA involving the sale and purchase of privately held companies, family businesses, franchises, and commercial real estate. 2023 is exceeding 2022 at IBA by all important metrics (Transactions Completed, Company Revenue, and Number of M&A Intermediaries at the Firm, a number that continues to grow based on the high demand for our services). 2024 is also looking strong for the firm based on the projects currently in our pipeline preparing to be brought to market next year. We recommend interviewing multiple brokers before selecting one to sell your business. We humbly ask to be included in that interview process. If we cannot demonstrate why we are the best choice for representation, then IBA is likely not the best choice. If you are looking to purchase a business, we hope you will inquire what is on our shelves for sale. It is always changing and since 1975 more happy customers have left our store excited to take a company for a drive than at any other place.
Thank you for taking the time to read this content. I am highly appreciative of the support and collaboration that IBA experiences on a daily basis from the entrepreneurial community and the professionals that nurture and help grow that garden of opportunity which regularly produces award winning pumpkins that warrant premium values when they are sold.
IBA, the Pacific Northwest’s premier business brokerage firm since 1975, is available as an information resource to the media, business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, legal, and accounting communities on subjects relevant to the purchase & sale of privately held companies and family-owned businesses. IBA is recognized as one of the best business brokerage firms in the nation based on its long track record of successfully negotiating “win-win” business sale transactions in environments of full disclosure employing “best practices”.