The Spring 2026 M&A Source Conference brought together many of the leading lower middle market M&A professionals from across North America for several days of education, networking, and dealmaking in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Held twice each year, the conference serves as one of the premier events for M&A advisors, investment bankers, private equity professionals, lenders, attorneys, […]
Each year, the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) hosts its Annual Conference, bringing together many of the most experienced business brokers, M&A advisors, investment bankers, valuation professionals, and transaction specialists from across North America and globally. I recently returned from the 2026 IBBA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I participated in several days of […]
Why Aging Ownership, Labor Constraints, and Buyer Demand Are Reshaping Lower Middle Market Industrial M&A For decades, the Midwest manufacturing economy has been built by founder-led and family-owned businesses that quietly became essential suppliers to American industry. Many of these companies were not created through institutional capital or rapid-growth startup models. Instead, they were built […]
The latest IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse survey provides one of the clearest real-time windows into buyer behavior, valuation trends, financing conditions, and seller sentiment across the lower middle market. Based on responses from 300 business brokers and M&A advisors representing 203 completed transactions in Q1 2026, the data points to a market that […]
Understanding What Drives Manufacturing Business Valuation in Today’s Lower Middle Market M&A Environment For many founder-owned manufacturing companies across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, the current mergers and acquisitions market presents a confusing contradiction. Some businesses receive aggressive interest from strategic buyers and private equity groups, generate multiple offers, and command premium valuation multiples. […]
When it comes to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the manufacturing sector, buyers aren’t just glancing at standard financial statements. They want a manufacturing Quality of Earnings (QoE) report that highlights only the actual, sustainable earnings that reflect ongoing performance. If you’re a manufacturing owner considering a sale or a buyer looking to make a […]
If you own a manufacturing company, a key question that eventually comes up is: “What’s my business actually worth?” While valuations are often done during mergers or acquisitions, they’re also useful for succession planning, securing financing, or simply understanding your company’s position in the market. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; different types of business valuations and […]
Measurable success is rare in the field of business brokerage, and public recognition is even rarer. That’s why the IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award stands out as one of the industry’s most meaningful benchmarks. Reserved for brokers who close qualified business transactions totaling $10 million or more in a single calendar year, the award reflects […]
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 […]
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 […]