How do I find a fibreglass or composite manufacturing business for sale in Canada?

Fibreglass and composite shops make boat parts, tanks, truck and RV components, and custom mouldings. Check whether the shop is small, owner-run and tied to a handful of customers. You are unlikely to find many of them in a listing search, so combine searching with asking. It also helps to know which product you want to make. A shop that lays up large marine parts has different equipment and customers from one that makes small custom pieces.

Where moulders are listed

Start with industrial business brokers and the major listing sites, and search under fibreglass, composite and moulding. Then talk to the people who sell into these shops: resin, fibre and gelcoat suppliers, mould makers and equipment dealers. They hear about owners who want out. Customers are another source, because a manufacturer that relies on a moulder has a reason to help a trusted buyer step in.

Moulds and customers

The moulds are the first question. Some belong to the shop and some belong to the customer who paid for them. Whether customer-owned moulds stay depends on the customer agreements, and the customer may be free to move the work. Ask your lawyer. Ask how much revenue comes from each account, and whether any of them could leave after a change of owner. A shop with one dominant customer is a different purchase from one with many.

People and place

Laminating is a hands-on trade, and the finish of the product depends on the crew. Ask who the experienced laminators are and whether they plan to stay. The site also needs a careful look, because resins, solvents and dust are part of daily work. Ask your lawyer how the site affects a share or asset purchase, and have an environmental consultant assess it. Emission and permit questions belong with your lawyer and the regulator.

The general seller-side view of manufacturing is in selling a manufacturing business. Read it to see what an owner prepares before a sale.