Tupelo Data Room

automotive and boat business for Sale in North Carolina

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Profitable Equipment & Tool Rental Business  photo
Equipment Rental & Dealers

Profitable Equipment & Tool Rental Business

NC, US

Established more than two decades ago, this is a highly profitable, semi-absentee general tool and equipment rental business located in one of North Carolina's fastest-growing markets. The company has built a deep, well-maintained rental fleet, a loyal and diversified contractor customer base, and a reputation for service that keeps customers coming back. The company rents a broad fleet of roughly 800 units, including aerial lifts, telehandlers, skid steers, excavators, trenchers, tractors, concrete equipment, and a wide range of small tools. The fleet is valued at approximately $3.6 million at fair market value and is supported by a delivery fleet of trucks and trailers. The business generates about $1.72 million in annual revenue with seller's discretionary earnings of approximately $960,000. Ownership operates on a semi-absentee basis, with an experienced manager and crew running daily operations, which makes for an unusually clean transition for a new owner. The customer base is highly diversified, and the business continues to add new customers every year. Business highlights: - More than two decades of operating history and an established brand in a growing, affluent coastal market - No customer concentration, with a broad base of repeat contractor customers - Semi-absentee ownership, with management in place - Deep, relatively young fleet maintained on a disciplined replacement cycle with minimal debt - Strong cash flow, with the large majority of billings collected by card on file, keeping receivables and bad debt low. Growth opportunities: - Expand the fleet to meet demand that already exceeds current capacity, particularly for lifts and telehandlers - Add additional location in a fast-growing region - Modernize marketing through the website, social media, and online reservations - Introduce ancillary revenue such as a damage-waiver program, which is not offered today The operating real estate is owned separately and is available to lease. Ownership is retiring and is committed to a smooth transition. Qualified buyers will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and provide proof of financial capability to receive the full Executive Summary and financial details. Contact: Chris Sater, Sater Advisory. Phone 318.525.7349. Email [email protected].

$4,400,000Asking Price
$1,720,000Revenue
$960,000Cash Flow

Market Snapshot

National transaction benchmarks for automotive and boat business businesses.

Under $500K

Median revenue$527k
Median cash flow$106k
Median sale price$203k
Multiple range1.5x - 2.5x

$500K to $2M

Median revenue$1.51m
Median cash flow$290k
Median sale price$774k
Multiple range2.3x - 4.0x

Over $2M

Median revenue$4.29m
Median cash flow$852k
Median sale price$3.38m
Multiple range3.5x - 5.3x

A variety of factors can cause businesses to trade outside this range, including earnings quality, operational transferability, key-person risk, growth trajectory, and geography, so a listing priced above or below the typical multiple usually reflects real differences in the underlying business.

What to know about automotive and boat business acquisitions

GW

By George Wellmer

Cofounder & CEO

Key diligence, valuation, financing, and transition considerations for buyers evaluating automotive and boat business acquisitions.

Get the environmental exposure assessed before you do anything else

Gas stations, repair shops, and car washes handle fuel, solvents, and wastewater, and remediation can run six or seven figures. A Phase I, tank records, and permit history tell you whether you're buying a business or a cleanup.

Tour the equipment with someone who knows it

Lifts, wash tunnels, fuel systems, and lined tanks have finite lives and expensive replacements. Ask age, maintenance history, and what's been deferred.

Verify the location and lease carry the value

Much of an automotive business is its corner — traffic, access, and a transferable lease. A great shop on a short or non-assignable lease is a problem you inherit.

Separate steady service revenue from transaction sales

A repair shop with a loyal service base is worth more than a lot living on deal volume. Get the repeat-customer rate, not just the top line.

Check licensing, certifications, and brand or fuel-supply contracts

Dealer licenses, certified techs, and manufacturer or fuel-brand agreements may not transfer automatically. Confirm what passes and what you must re-earn.

Know how much rides on the owner and key techs

In smaller shops the owner is the master tech and the relationships. Identify who holds the skill and the customers and what retention looks like after close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common buyer questions for this market.

Yes, especially service shops with steady cash flow — but environmental reports drive these deals. A failed Phase I can stop a loan cold, so have the environmental, equipment, and lease documentation ready early.