January 2026 marked a turning point after 12 consecutive months below expansion territory. In one of the first major economic data points of 2026, the U.S. manufacturing sector reversed a year-long contraction trend by posting a Manufacturing PMI® reading of 52.6% in January, up 4.7 percentage points from December’s 47.9%. A PMI reading above 50 signals […]
OSHA and Safety Compliance Red Flags in Manufacturing M&A
When it comes to buying or selling a manufacturing business, the numbers on the balance sheet are only part of the story. Increasingly, buyers are scrutinizing OSHA and safety compliance in business sales as a critical factor in their due diligence process. Why? Because safety issues can lead to costly fines, operational disruptions, and even […]
Nick Fares’ Book “American-Made Millions” is Now an Amazon Best Seller
Nick Fares, seasoned Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) advisor, entrepreneur, and founder of Summit Capital Advisors, formerly known as NEO Business Advisors, is proud to announce the launch of his new book, American-Made Millions: How to Unlock the True Value of Your Manufacturing Business Before Selling which has quickly become an Amazon Best Seller in multiple […]
The ESG Impact on M&A in Manufacturing
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are reshaping the landscape of mergers and acquisitions, especially in the Mainstreet and Lower Middle Market (LMM) manufacturing sector, as regulatory standards tighten and stakeholder expectations rise. ESG is no longer just a concern for large corporations; it’s now a key differentiator in deals ranging from $1M to $50M […]
M&A Trends 2025: What Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Need to Know
Looking at the 2025 M&A Trends, the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market has significantly shifted in recent years. While deal volumes surged during the post-pandemic rebound, rising interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty brought a wave of caution. Yet, despite these headwinds, small and mid-sized businesses have continued to draw attention from buyers, especially those […]
How to Maximize Your Business Value Before a Sale
The best way to maximize your business value before selling is to understand your business’ actual worth. This advice might sound like common sense, but you would be surprised by how many owners fail to do so. An organization can only improve a business’ value based on what they actually know. As with other transactions, […]






