Likely Buyers
- Larger printer or packagerWants more customers, more capacity and a second plant in the region.
- Private equity backed print and packaging groupLooks for shops with recurring orders that fit a roll up of similar firms.
- Sales or production veteran with SBA backingKnows the trade and wants an established book of repeat customers.
Recurring work beats new quotes
Buyers ask how much of last year's revenue came back this year. Packaging with standing orders and labels used on every shipment are steadier than one time jobs.
Show repeat sales by customer for three years. That one table answers more questions than any sales pitch.
Customer mix
If a few accounts supply most of your sales, buyers see risk. The common rule is that a customer above fifteen to twenty percent of revenue triggers a discount near that share.
Shops that serve many industries ride out slow years better, and buyers notice.
Equipment and costs
Presses, die cutters and finishing lines carry value, but buyers worry about age and service. Expect them to treat part of your depreciation as real maintenance cost.
Paper, ink and board prices shift. A shop that passes increases through on a schedule keeps its margin, and a shop that does not should expect questions.
Staff and systems
Pressmen, estimators and customer service reps hold the relationships. Buyers want to know who quotes jobs, who schedules the floor and whether the software and files will transfer.
Getting ready
- Statements that match your returns for three years
- Repeat revenue by customer
- Equipment list with age, hours and service records
- Lease or deed, plus any environmental reports
Read customer concentration and your price and add backs buyers accept. Then request a price opinion.