Distribution Businesses in Ohio typically sell for 4-7x EBITDA; specialized lines higher. WETYR acquires directly and confidentially statewide. On $3M - $50M of revenue that generally means $300K - $5M of owner earnings. No listing, no commission, no auction.
Why Ohio distribution business owners sell to WETYR
Ohio owners come to us for the same reasons owners everywhere do, a strategic acquirer making an unsolicited approach chief among them, but with one hard requirement: confidentiality. A public listing or broker teaser tells your staff, your customers, and every competitor in Midwest that you are leaving. A direct sale to WETYR does not. Recurring reorders, niche specialization, PE consolidation of fragmented distribution
What a Ohio distribution business is worth
We value on normalized earnings, not top-line revenue. After adding back owner compensation above a market replacement, one-time costs, and personal expenses, we apply the distribution business range of 4-7x EBITDA; specialized lines higher. Supplier and customer relationships, inventory, logistics, niche lines pushes toward the top; owner dependence, customer concentration, and messy books pull toward the bottom.
Who competes to buy distribution businesses
Private equity platforms and strategic consolidators (Industry consolidators, PE platforms) are the loud buyers, but they screen hard, move slowly, and re-trade at diligence. WETYR is the operator alternative: we buy to run, not to flip, so we can move quickly and keep it private. We also advise Ohio owners who want to run a limited competitive process to the right strategic and financial buyers without ever going fully public.
| Factor | WETYR (operator-buyer) | PE platform | Individual buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical offer basis | 4-7x EBITDA | Highest headline number | Financing-dependent |
| Time to close | 30 to 75 days | 6 to 12 months | 3 to 9 months |
| Stays confidential | Yes, no public listing | Committee and advisors see it | Usually broker-marketed |
| Fees to you | $0, we buy as principal | Broker 8 to 12% if listed | Broker 8 to 12% |
| Re-trade risk at diligence | Low | High | Medium to high |
| Who runs it after close | WETYR operates it | Installs their own team | New owner learns the business |
Where we buy distribution businesses in Ohio
We source distribution business deals across Ohio, from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo to rural operators. Location within the state does not change our process; your numbers and readiness do. Pick your market below for a page built for it, or reach out directly and we will tell you honestly what your business is worth and whether we are a direct fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your distribution business in Ohio. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Ohio distribution business sale FAQ
What is a distribution business in Ohio worth?
Most distribution businesses trade at 4-7x EBITDA; specialized lines higher. The number that matters is your normalized owner earnings (SDE or EBITDA after adding back one-time and owner-specific costs), multiplied by a range set by size, recurring revenue, licensing, and how dependent the business is on you. On roughly $3M - $50M of revenue we typically see $300K - $5M of earnings. Send the numbers and we will give you an indicative range within a day.
How long does it take to sell a distribution business in Ohio?
A direct sale to WETYR can close in 30 to 75 days because there is no listing, no broker marketing cycle, and no auction. A brokered or PE-marketed process usually runs 6 to 12 months and puts your confidential financials in front of dozens of strangers. Location does not change the mechanics; readiness of your books does.
Do I have to list my business publicly to sell it?
No. That is the single biggest fear owners raise, and the reason many never start. WETYR buys directly and privately. Your staff, customers, and competitors do not find out unless and until you decide to tell them. Nothing goes on BizBuySell, no sign goes up, no teaser circulates.
What does WETYR charge to sell my distribution business?
When we buy directly, you pay us nothing; we are the principal, not a broker taking 8 to 12 percent of your proceeds. When we advise on a sale to a third party, fees are agreed up front and disclosed in writing. Either way you know the economics before anything moves.
What makes a distribution business sell for a higher multiple?
Supplier and customer relationships, inventory, logistics, niche lines. Concretely: recurring or contracted revenue, a team that runs the day-to-day without you, clean books, and current compliance. We tell you honestly which levers are worth pulling before a sale and which are not worth the delay.
Sell your distribution business in Ohio
Confidential, direct, and fast. Talk to the operator, not a broker.