You want to sell your freight forwarder? Then it is good to know what the acquisition market in the field of freight forwarders looks like. Forwarders are middlemen in the world of logistics and transportation. The profession is not common, but if the playing field is played well, there is plenty of work.
Although years ago it was assumed that this profession would die out, that is certainly not the case. It is also a lively market in the field of freight forwarders' mergers and acquisitions.
There are many ways to value a business. A common method of expressing the value of a business is "a factor x gross annual profit." This factor is also called multiple and another designation for gross annual profit is EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization).
In the transport & logistics sector, to which a freight forwarder belongs, an indicative EBITDA multiple range of 3.8 to 4.5 is currently used, according to the Brookz Takeover Barometer. The average EBITDA multiple across all SME sectors is 4.90.
The valuation of a business is often the starting point for negotiations between buyer and seller. The outcome of these negotiations is the final sales price. So valuation and price are two different quantities. Besides valuation, the price is also determined by possible scarcity in the market, bargaining power of the parties, the strategic value of the business for the buyer and possible synergy effects for the buyer (cost savings, purchasing advantages).
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Want to buy a business or sell a business in the Automotive, Transport & Logistics sector? With this Brookz Sector Monitor, we want to present buyers and sellers with facts, figures and an outlook that provide insight into the number of transactions, the value development of businesses and the latest trends and developments in the Automotive, Transport & Logistics. Because in every buying or selling process, thorough preparation gives peace of mind, overview and structure.
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There are many startups in the industry every year, which also makes many businesses with only one person working visible.
In figures, the number of freight forwarders in 2024 looked as follows(CBS):
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A number of trends and developments will inevitably cause changes in the coming years, but also offer shippers many growth and acquisition opportunities:
ABN Amro wrote a few years back about the need for innovation in this sector, but despite the outdated article, the content is hugely topical. Blockchain, near shoring and 3D printing are important factors that require specialized knowledge.
The Brexit creates additional obstacles regarding the import and export of goods. Logistical processes need to be figured out and without automation, a lot of administrative hassle is involved. Think of tax regulations, customs forms and export conditions.
According to Rabobank, sustainability is playing a bigger role in the world of transport and logistics than before. Electric means of transport, fewer emissions, but also more efficient transport is now the standard requirement rather than the exception.
