How do I hand my dry cleaner’s suppliers and repair technician to a buyer?

A dry cleaner runs on a short list of outside people: the one who supplies hangers and bags, the one who supplies solvent and detergent, and the technician who keeps the boiler and presses going. A buyer inherits these relationships and does not know them. Share each contact’s name, role and usual terms.

Write down who supplies what

Make a simple list. For each supplier, put the business name, the contact person, what they provide, how you order, how often they deliver and how you pay. Include the small ones, such as the source of garment tags and poly bags. A buyer reading the list should be able to place an order on day one without calling you.

Introduce the repair technician first

The technician matters most, because a stopped machine stops the shop. Introduce the buyer before closing, and ask the technician to walk through each machine’s history with the buyer: what has failed before, what is ageing, and what parts are hard to find. Make sure the buyer has a number that is answered after hours.

Check what the agreements say about a new owner

Some supplier arrangements are informal, and some are written. Read the written ones for terms that depend on who owns the business, such as account terms or a minimum order. Ask your lawyer whether a supplier’s consent is needed before the buyer can take over an agreement. Raise it with the supplier early rather than late.

• One-page supplier list with contacts and ordering steps
• Account terms and any open balances to settle at closing
• The technician’s service history for each machine
• A short introduction call or visit for each main supplier

The prepare-for-sale page covers records and presentation, and the selling costs page covers what the sale itself involves.