DISTRIBUTION

WHY YOU CAN TRUST CALDER CAPITAL’S DISTRIBUTION EXPERTISE

If you are considering selling or buying a distribution business, you want to find the best distribution M&A brokerage firm to represent you, a firm that understands some of the unique obstacles and investment highlights that distribution businesses embody. Calder Capital combines the advantages of a local M&A brokerage firm with the expertise and contacts of a large M&A investment banking firm. We have been advising on the sale or purchase of distribution businesses for over a decade and we are experts at understanding and navigating distribution-specific challenges that arise in transactions – distribution networks, supplier partnerships and contractual agreements, inventory management and software, warehousing capabilities, and regulatory compliance, just to name a few.

With a proven track record of successfully closing over 50 distribution transactions in the past five years alone, we are the trusted experts to navigate the complex landscape of distribution mergers and acquisitions. Our deep understanding of the distribution sector combined with our extensive network of industry contacts, confidential marketing engine, and award-winning team of distribution M&A Advisors allows us to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

We are so confident in our ability to generate the most qualified interest, negotiate the highest offers, and find the right fit for the continuity of your business that we work on a month-to-month basis. If you are not satisfied with our efforts or services, you can terminate the agreement with us at any time.

RECENT SUCCESSFUL DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS

Wixom, MI

Acquired By

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Wholesale Builder Supply

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired By

Detroit, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Midwest Juice

Ada, MI

Acquired By

Boston, MA

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Ada Logistics

Bridgeport, MI

Acquired by

Birmingham, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Capital Stoneworks

South Bend, IN

Acquired By

Santa Barbara, CA

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Atlas Restaurant Supply

Holland, MI

Acquired By

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Great Lakes Window Coverings

Chicago, IL

acquired by an

Individual Entrepreneur

Chicago, IL

Served as the Exclusive Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor

Grawn & Traverse City, MI

Acquired by

Naples, FL

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Phillips Lifestyles

Edmore, MI

Acquired by

Anderson, IN & Bradford, IL

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Lakeland Mills, Inc.

Lake Zurich, IL

acquired by

Chicago, IL

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to CM Industries

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired by

Middleville, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to H.A. Campbell Supply

Saginaw, MI

Acquired by

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Access Companies

Portland, MI

Acquired By

Michigan, U.S.A.

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to the Local Entrepreneurs

Elkhart, IN

acquired by

MPD Pool Holdings

Chicago, IL

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Bontrager Pools

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired By

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to ByFam

Montrose, MI

acquired by

St Henry, OH

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Iverson's Lumber

Hudsonville, MI

acquired by

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Action Water Sports

Ann Arbor, MI

Acquired by

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Turner's Greenscape

Hamilton, MI

acquired by

Frisco, TX

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Post Hardwoods

Forklift Dealership

Ohio, U.S.A.

acquired by

Washington, D.C.

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to BMH Equipment, LLC

Dexter, MI

acquired by

New York City, NY

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Maggie's Organics

B&L Bolt

Grands Rapids, MI

Acquired By

Colony Hardware

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to B&L Bolt

Lansing, IL

Acquired By

BMH Equipment LLC

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Frank Gill

Wixom, MI

Acquired By

Fox Hill Capital, Inc

St. Claire Shore, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to RG Medical

Warren, MI

Acquired By An

Individual Investor

Detroit, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Construction Tool & Supply

Niles, MI

Acquired By An

Individual Investor

San Fransisco, CA

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to World Wide Diesel

Gahanna, OH

Acquired By

Brooklyn Heights, OH

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Benchmark Industrial

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired By

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to The Bolt Bin

Southfield, MI

Acquired By

Birmingham & Southfield, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Michigan Chandelier

Roseville, MI

Acquired By

Major Brands Oil

Warren, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Major Brands Oil

Benton Harbor, MI

Acquired By An

Individual Investor

Michigan, U.S.A.

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to HEI Wireless

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired By

Columbus, OH

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to DC Martin & Sons Sales

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired By An

Individual Investor

Michigan, U.S.A.

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Power Supply

Allegan, MI

Acquired By

Azulera Farms, LLC

Covert, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Santa Therese Plantations, LLC

Holland, MI

Acquired By

Holland, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to September's Bride

Benton Harbor, MI

Acquired By

Carol Stream, IN

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Midwest Time Service

Howell, MI

Acquired By An

Individual Investor

Howell, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Autolab of Howell, MI

Kalamazoo, MI

Acquired By

DAAD Holdings, Inc.

Kalamazoo, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Flowtech, Inc.

Grand Rapids, MI

Acquired

Park Avenue Bridal

Jacksonville, FL

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to America's Bride

Hamilton, MI

Acquired By

Dykhuis Farms, Inc.

Lowell, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Peters Farm

Brammall Supply Inc

Benton Harbor, MI

Acquired By

Grand Rapids, MI

Served as the Exclusive M&A Advisor to Brammall Industrial Supply

Calder Capital is recognized as a Distribution Industry Expert by the Business Brokerage Press

EXAMPLES OF RECENTLY SOLD NICHE DISTRIBUTION BUSINESSES

Calder Capital has experience working with a number of niche distribution businesses including:

Organic Clothing Distributor
Spa Manufacturer and Supplier
Forklift Dealership
Construction Supplier
Fastener Supplier
Warehouse and Packaging Supplier
Material Handling Equipment Supplier
Medical Product Distributor
Diesel Engine and Parts Supplier
Two-Way Radio and Equipment Supplier
Longstanding Industrial Supplier

WHAT ARE UNIQUE & CRITICAL COMPONENTS THAT BUYERS CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS?

Beyond financial performance, buyers and their advisory teams will dig deeply into the following areas when analyzing any distribution M&A transaction. In the preparatory phase, Calder will work with you to document, highlight, and explain these areas of the business and get prepared for intense buyer scrutiny.

Distribution network: Buyers will need to gain a deep understanding of the target company’s distribution network. Buyers will assess the geographic reach, infrastructure, transportation capabilities, warehousing facilities, and any exclusive or strategic partnerships that contribute to the effectiveness of the distribution network.
Supplier relationships: Buyers will assess the strength of supplier partnerships, contractual agreements, pricing arrangements, and potential risks related to the availability, reliability, or cost of the products being distributed.
Customer base and contracts: Buyers will want to understand the target company’s customer base, key accounts, and contract relationships. Factors such as customer concentration, contract terms and duration, customer satisfaction levels, and any potential risks related to customer retention or loss will be carefully evaluated.
Inventory management: Assessing the target company’s inventory management practices is important. Buyers will evaluate factors such as inventory turnover, product mix, storage capabilities, obsolescence risk, and any potential improvements or cost-saving opportunities in inventory management.
IT systems and technology: Buyers will evaluate and assess the effectiveness and scalability of IT systems, inventory management software, order processing systems, e-commerce capabilities, and any potential integration challenges with the acquiring company’s IT systems.
Regulatory compliance: Distribution businesses are subject to various regulations, such as transportation, import/export, and customs compliance. It is important for buyers to assess the target company’s compliance with these regulations to identify any potential liabilities or risks associated with non-compliance.
Warehousing and logistics: Understanding the target company’s warehousing and logistics capabilities is a key priority of a potential buyer. Buyers will evaluate factors such as warehouse efficiency, transportation management, last-mile delivery capabilities, and any potential opportunities for optimization or cost reduction in warehousing and logistics operations.
Market and competitive landscape: Buyers will assess the target company’s position within the market and understand the competitive landscape. They will evaluate market trends, competitive advantages, potential threats, and opportunities for growth or diversification in the distribution sector.

WHY DON’T SOME DISTRIBUTION BUSINESSES SELL?

There are a few reasons why distribution businesses do not sell, and Calder has worked diligently to eliminate these primary obstacles to selling.

The number one reason that distribution businesses do not sell is because there is a significant gap between what the seller wants and what the market provides in terms of valuation. Calder eliminates this by conducting a thorough “market-informed” business valuation before we ever ask for a client engagement. Because we often sell more than a dozen distribution businesses per year, we have an accurate pulse on valuation multiples, deal structure, and the state of the buyer pool. We combine our proprietary on-market data and insights with thorough research utilizing trusted valuation resources for businesses that match your specific niche and financial performance. The result is a precision valuation analysis that reflects the market feedback you will receive from buyers if you decide to proceed with a sale process.

At this point, it is 100% up to you whether to move forward with a sale process. If the valuation is not where you need or want it to be, Calder can point you to resources that can help you to improve your valuation or we can all simply wait. Sometimes, distribution business owners decide to wait 1-2 years before selling once they understand what drives valuation. At no point during our initial valuation process will you feel compelled to make a decision that is not in your best interest. Calder Capital is in it for the long game, and this means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our prospects and clients and helping them to make the best decision for their businesses and lives.

The second reason that distribution businesses do not sell is the quality of their financial records. When buyers and lenders are making critical decisions to pay and loan, respectively, millions of dollars, it is critically important to them that they can trust the information that they are receiving from the seller. Periodically, we receive information from distribution business owners that contains errors or is not prepared to the accounting standards that buyers expect. During our business valuation exercise, if we identify areas where buyers are likely to be confused or have questions, or we encounter impasses with respect to obtaining the types of financial records that buyers and lenders will expect during the analysis and due diligence phase, we will discuss these with you and help you work with your CPA or other accounting advisors to prepare the business appropriately for the type of scrutiny that a sophisticated buyer will bring.

CONTACT US FOR A CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION

We want to learn about your business and goals. After our initial conversation, we will send you an information request regarding what is needed for us to conduct a “market-informed” valuation analysis. This analysis is unique as we carefully assess your business through the eyes of a buyer by pairing distribution industry transaction data with our own proprietary transaction data to produce a custom report indicating the valuation range that we believe will be reflected by the market. We will also discuss how to position your business to achieve a premium valuation.

Along with the valuation analysis, we will provide a custom confidential marketing plan detailing exactly the steps that we will take to find buyers and maximize competition. If you decide to move forward with a sale, we will design a confidential information memorandum (CIM) to outline the advantages of your distribution company. We will never provide your company’s identity or any confidential information to any buyer unless they have signed a strict confidentiality agreement, answered qualifying interview questions, undergone a background check, and been approved by our team (and/or our client).

Calder will design a sophisticated and comprehensive marketing campaign that confidentially introduces your business to a pool of 1,000s of buyers. Using sophisticated and proprietary communication campaigns, we will narrow the pool of buyers down to the most serious ones, have one-to-one discussions with them, solicit offers, and then sit down with you to review the best offers and advise you on the advantages of each one. When you have chosen the best offer for you, we will suggest ways to negotiate and improve each offer and then roll up our sleeves to make the final offer as perfect as possible. We’ll answer questions during due diligence and keep things on track with the attorneys.

At Calder Capital, we offer unparalleled industry and buy-sell expertise that sets us apart from the competition. Whether you’re looking to expand your distribution portfolio or sell your distribution business, our team of seasoned professionals will guide you every step of the way. We have a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the distribution sector, enabling us to provide strategic advice and tailored solutions to meet your specific goals.

Trust Calder Capital as your partner in distribution M&A. Contact us today to learn more about how our industry expertise, “market-informed” valuations, and our unique short-term agreement approach align us to achieve your goals in the dynamic world of distribution transactions.

DISTRIBUTION CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“I did not know what to expect, especially when I saw how relatively young their team was. I cannot put into words how responsive, dedicated, thorough, and fun it was working with Sam. No matter the hour or length of my questions, he made me feel like I was his only client, and he truly built my confidence during this process. It is a tribute to the organization Max has built and I never felt like I needed to talk to Max. I knew he was in the background, and also knew Sam had his ear. I guess the highest compliment I can pay is if I had it to do all over again, I would not hesitate to list with Calder.”

– Bena Burda, Former Owner, Maggie’s Organics, Dexter, MI (Seller)

“From start to finish, Calder managed an efficient and well-thought-out process. We were anticipating the sale process could take 8 to 10 months, but we found the perfect buyer in Colony after a well-run process by Calder Advisor Garrett Monroe – and we executed the transaction in less than four months. Garrett produced 18 IOIs, and we felt we secured the best LOI with Colony and the best strategic and cultural fit when comparing all our other options. Garrett was professional, responsive, and had our best interests in mind every step of the way. We are exceptionally pleased with the transaction outcome and Calder’s guidance throughout the process. We would recommend Calder Capital and Garrett Monroe to any seller of an industrial supplies business seeking a successful sale.”

— Mark Vander Ploeg, Former President, B&L Bolt, Grand Rapids, MI (Seller)

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome and satisfied that Calder Capital paired us with the right buyers. I would happily refer all fastener and industrial distribution companies to Calder Capital because of my extremely positive experience with them. While there were certainly ups and downs in the selling process, Calder ran a very efficient process, introduced multitudes of qualified buyers, helped me through negotiations, due diligence, and legal review, and allowed us to close on time and only a few months after we put the business on the market!”

— Tim Irwin, Former Owner, The Bolt Bin, West Michigan Technical Supply Co., & Clear Vision Inspection, Grand Rapids, MI (Seller)

“We are very satisfied with the entire staff at Calder Capital. Working with their team members on a tight timeline created some logistical and time sensitive issues. Their coordination of the process was a benefit to both the sellers and ourselves. In future opportunities we would certainly consider their assistance.”

— Travis Vander Kolk, President, Process Engineering & Equipment Company, Comstock Park, MI (Buyer)

“We’ve known Max Friar and Calder Capital for many years. The Calder team ran a comprehensive process and is clearly an expert in helping owners like Barb and myself through a once-in-a-lifetime transaction like this. We are very pleased with the transaction outcome and Calder’s guidance throughout the process.”

— Maurizio Vozza, Former Owner, Nordic Products, Grand Rapids, MI (Seller)

“I don’t think this process could have gone more quickly or smoothly. We are very grateful for Garrett at Calder Capital. He guided the parties with accuracy and positivity. We are excited to work with Colony Hardware. They have been enjoyable to work with through the acquisition. The teaming of companies is a wonderful fit for our people, and our company cultures dovetail nicely. We are well positioned to serve customers and expand our offering.”

— Dave Vander Ploeg, Vice President, B&L Bolt, Grand Rapids, MI (Seller)

“The Calder team was incredibly helpful. Sam brought with him an incredible energy and willingness to answer questions at all hours of the day, and Ghazey has a steady confidence. The process couldn’t have gone more smoothly, and certainly wouldn’t have without them.”

— Mark Stevens, Former Owner, C&K Box and Mulch Wholesalers, Jackson, MI (Seller)

“While it was a difficult decision to sell our family business, which was now on the third generation, it was the right decision. We can’t say enough good things about working with Matt Uhl and Calder Capital. Very little in life can prepare you for the emotions and realities of parting ways with your business. In working with Calder we knew we had a partner that stood up for our interests and represented us fairly and professionally. Calder kept the sale process quiet and confidential and were always in good communication. We received multiple offers and knew ultimately that we choose the best buyer in Mettler-Toledo!”

— David Martin, Former Owner, D.C. Martin & Son Scales, Grand Rapids, MI (Seller)

“I have truly enjoyed my time leading Topps Safety Apparel. Pinnacle Textile is an impressive organization and I am pleased with the outcome of this transaction. I look forward to watching the company’s continued success under new leadership. Calder served as a trusted advisor throughout the transaction, with their team working tirelessly to design the right process. Calder sourced the buyer and I appreciated their thoughtful advice and guidance.”

– Alan Dorrell, Former Owner, Topps Safety Apparel, Rochester, IN (Seller)

Read more on our testimonials page by clicking here.

Contact Calder Capital – Industry Experts

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