The Premier Manufacturing Business Broker for Chicago
From the O’Hare industrial corridor to the Fox Valley’s precision shops, we help Chicagoland owners capture maximum value for their machinery, workforce, and market share.
Why You Need a Chicago Business Broker Who Understands Industry
If you are searching for a "Business Broker Chicago" or "Sell my manufacturing business," you know that the Midwest remains the backbone of American industry. Chicago isn’t just a financial center; it is the nation’s largest manufacturing hub by employment and output. While generalist brokers sell retail shops in the Loop, we focus exclusively on the "Blue-Collar Gold Mine." We see aggressive activity from Private Equity groups targeting Chicago for three specific reasons:
The Logistics Epicenter: As the only city in North America where all six Class-I railroads meet, your Chicago-based distribution or manufacturing firm sits at the world’s most strategic crossroads.
The Elk Grove Density: With the largest consolidated industrial park in the United States, Chicago offers a "supply chain ecosystem" where buyers can find every vendor they need within a 10-mile radius.
Infrastructure & Power: Chicago’s access to stable power grids and fresh water makes it a primary target for heavy-use industries like food processing and data centers.
We Serve the Full Chicago Industrial Spectrum
Whether you operate a tool and die shop in Rockford or a food grade facility in Bolingbrook, we have specialized deal teams for your sector.
Metalworking & Fabrication (Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg & Rockford)
We connect legacy metal shops with buyers looking to consolidate the Midwest’s fragmented fabrication market.
Who We Help: Precision CNC shops, Tier 2 auto suppliers, and heavy steel fabricators.
The Buyer Pool: Strategic industrial groups and Midwest-based Private Equity.
Key Value Driver: Equipment Appraisal. We ensure your late-model machinery is valued at replacement cost, not just book value.
Food Processing & Packaging (West Loop, Archer Heights & Aurora)
Chicago is the food processing capital of the US. We help family-owned brands and co-packers find the right exit.
Who We Help: Commercial bakeries, contract packagers, and flavor/ingredient manufacturers.
The Buyer Pool: Global CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) firms and food-focused investment funds.
Key Value Driver: SQF & USDA Compliance. We market your facility’s rigorous certifications as a barrier to entry for competitors.
Distribution & 3PL (Joliet, Bolingbrook & O’Hare Corridor)
We sell the "Final Mile" infrastructure that powers the Midwest’s e-commerce and industrial supply chain.
Who We Help: Industrial distributors, 3PL providers, and cold-storage facilities.
The Buyer Pool: National logistics conglomerates and REITs.
Key Value Driver: Location & Ceiling Height. In Chicago, your "clear height" and proximity to I-80/I-90 are massive equity drivers.
The "Chicago Hurdles": We Navigate the Regulations
Cook County Tax Complexity
The Problem: Property tax assessments in Cook County can be unpredictable, often scaring off out-of-state buyers.
The Solution: We work with property tax attorneys to "stabilize" the projection for the buyer, showing how 6b incentives or appeals protect the bottom line post-sale.
Union & Labor Relations
The Problem: Buyers from "Right-to-Work" states often hesitate when looking at Chicago’s unionized labor force.
The Solution: We highlight your positive labor relations and the "Skilled Labor Moat"—the fact that Chicago has a deeper pool of master machinists than almost anywhere else in the world.
Legacy Industrial Sites
The Problem: 100-year-old Chicago buildings often come with "historical baggage" (underground tanks or soil issues).
The Solution: We get ahead of the Phase I Environmental report. By identifying issues early, we structure "Indemnification Escrows" that keep the deal moving without killing the valuation.
Valuation: The "Midwest Multiple"
Chicago businesses are prized for their "stickiness." Unlike tech startups, Chicago industrial firms have high-margin, recurring contracts that have lasted for decades.
Regional Dominance: If you control a niche in the Midwest, you are an essential acquisition for any national player.
Workforce Stability: Chicago’s multi-generational manufacturing talent is a rare asset that buyers pay a premium to acquire.
Real Estate Value: Even if the business is the focus, the underlying industrial land in the O’Hare or I-55 corridor is at an all-time high.
Curious what your business would trade for? We use recent comps from deals we've closed in Aurora, Elgin, and Elk Grove.
Frequently Asked Questions (Chicago)
-
A: It’s a massive selling point. If your property has this tax incentive, it significantly lowers the buyer's operating expenses, allowing them to justify a higher purchase price for the business.
-
A: No. While some headlines suggest an exodus, institutional capital is pouring into Chicago industrial real estate and manufacturing. The "Centrality" of Chicago makes it an evergreen market for serious buyers.
-
A: Most of our Chicago deals involve "Coast-to-Midwest" capital—buyers from CA or NY looking for the higher yields and stability that Chicago manufacturing offers.
-
A: Industrial multiples in Chicago currently range from 4.5x to 7x EBITDA, depending on the proprietary nature of your product and the depth of your management team.
Ready to Exit Your Chicago Business?
Don't trust your life's work to a "Main Street" broker who sells laundromats. You need a team that understands the difference between a stamping press and an injection molder, and why your O'Hare-adjacent location is worth millions in logistics savings.
We are former operators. We speak your language.