Industrial

Sell Your Wholesale Business in Canada

Wholesale and distribution businesses sell at moderate multiples (3x–5x EBITDA) with strong PE interest. Specialty distribution (industrial, medical, foodservice) commands premium multiples when supplier relationships and customer base are documented and diversified.

Typical Revenue
$2M – $40M CAD
EBITDA Margin
6–15%
Typical Multiple
3.5x–5.5x EBITDA

Why Selling a Wholesale Business Is Different

Generic business brokers handle this wrong. These are the specific challenges in your sector.

Working-capital intensity (inventory, A/R)
Supplier-concentration risk (top supplier > 30%?)
Customer-concentration risk
Warehouse / facility ownership vs lease
Inventory obsolescence and slow-mover risk

What Sophisticated Wholesale Buyers Look For

Build these into your business 12–24 months before listing, and your multiple rises 1–3 turns.

Diverse supplier base (no supplier > 25%)
Diverse customer base (no customer > 15%)
Long-term supplier agreements with exclusive territories
Modern WMS/inventory systems
Clean A/R aging and inventory turn (8x+)

Who Buys Wholesale Businesses in Canada

We've mapped the active buyer universe for your sector.

1
Strategic acquirers (larger distributors)
2
PE consolidators (especially industrial / building products)
3
Manufacturer-acquirers (vertical integration)
4
International strategic acquirers

Industry-Specific Challenges We Handle

The deal-breakers we've seen — and how we address each one.

Working Capital Funding

Buyers need to fund inventory + A/R at close. This often requires asset-based lending alongside the acquisition.

Supplier Relationship Transfer

Exclusive distribution agreements may require supplier consent. Plan transition meetings 90 days before close.

Inventory True-Up

Inventory count and valuation at close becomes a major negotiation point. Pre-close inventory clean-up improves outcome.

What We Play Up in Your Marketing

These are the value drivers that move wholesale buyers from interest to LOI.

Diverse supplier base with long-term agreements
Diverse customer base (no customer > 10%)
Exclusive territorial distribution rights
Modern WMS and inventory management
Strong inventory turn (8x+ annually)
Owned warehouse / facility (or long-term lease)

Frequently Asked Questions

Sector-specific questions wholesale owners ask.

Ready to Sell Your Wholesale Business?

Confidential, no-obligation conversation. Tell us about your business, your timeline, and your goals. We'll respond with a written engagement proposal within 24 hours.