Machine Shops typically sell for 4-6x EBITDA, usually close in 30 to 75 days on a direct sale, and carry no broker commission when sold directly to an operator-buyer. The full answers are below.
How much is a machine shop worth?
Machine Shops typically sell for 4-6x EBITDA; aerospace and defense inflate. Value is based on normalized owner earnings (SDE or EBITDA), not revenue: on $1M - $20M of revenue we usually see $200K - $4M of earnings, and that figure is multiplied by the range above. Clean books, recurring revenue, and a business that runs without the owner push toward the top.
How long does it take to sell a machine shop?
Through a broker, six to twelve months is common. A direct, confidential sale to an operator-buyer like WETYR usually closes in 30 to 75 days, because there is one funded buyer, no public listing, and no auction to run.
Do I need a business broker to sell a machine shop?
No. A broker runs a listing and charges 8 to 12 percent of the price, which can equal a full year of earnings. You can sell directly to a funded operator-buyer with no commission, using your own attorney. Owners often weigh Regional shops, PE precision-manufacturing platforms against a direct sale.
How do I sell a machine shop confidentially?
Sign a mutual NDA, share financials privately, and deal with a single buyer instead of a public listing. A direct sale means your staff, customers, and competitors learn on your timeline, not from a broker teaser or a marketplace posting.
What do buyers look for in a machine shop?
Certifications, equipment, sticky OEM relationships, reshoring tailwind. Buyers pay up for recurring or contracted revenue, low customer concentration, a team that runs without the owner, current licensing, and clean, current financials.
What lowers the value of a machine shop?
Heavy owner dependence, messy or cash-based books, one customer over 20 percent of revenue, expired licenses, and deferred equipment or facility investment all compress the multiple you receive.
Should I sell my machine shop now or wait?
Reshoring, defense and aerospace demand, equipment-value floor The best time to sell is when earnings are strong and documented and you are not forced to. Waiting until burnout or a health event usually means selling from weakness, which buyers price in.
What are the tax implications of selling a machine shop?
It depends on deal structure (asset versus stock sale), purchase-price allocation, and your state. Some states have no income tax on the gain; others do. Plan this with your CPA before signing so the price you agree to is close to what you actually keep.
Who buys machine shops?
Private equity platforms and strategic consolidators (Regional shops, PE precision-manufacturing platforms) are the loud buyers, but they screen hard, move slowly, and re-trade at diligence. WETYR is the operator-buyer alternative: we acquire directly to run the business, keep it confidential, and do not need to syndicate the deal to a committee.
How do I prepare a machine shop for sale?
Clean up three years of books, document how the business runs without you, confirm licenses and contracts are transferable, and separate personal expenses from the business. The clearer your earnings picture, the higher and faster the offer.
Can I sell a machine shop with my current licensing?
Yes. Licensing (ISO and AS9100 certifications) transfers or is re-issued as part of a properly structured sale. We handle the licensing and transfer mechanics as part of diligence.
How many machine shops are there in the US, and does that affect my sale?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts roughly 16,198 machine shops nationwide. It is a large, fragmented market, which favors a seller: a well-run business with clean books stands out, and a direct buyer does not need a public auction to find it.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your machine shop. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Still have questions about selling a machine shop?
Ask them on a confidential call with the operator who would buy it, not a broker who lists it.