An established and highly profitable specialist auction and asset valuation service business is available for acquisition.
The business provides an integrated range of services encompassing auctioneering, probate and estate clearance, property clearance, valuation, removals, storage, liquidation and specialist asset disposal.
Following significant recent growth, the business generated approximately £307,000 turnover and £142,000 profit before tax in the latest financial year, representing an exceptional reported 46% pre-tax margin.
Current trading remains strong, with management reporting first-quarter turnover of more than £107,000.
Customer Relationships
The business has developed a significant relationship with a major industry participant, described by management as the largest business in its sector by a substantial margin.
The relationship provides an important and recurring source of work and represents a potentially significant strategic attraction for a trade purchaser.
The identity of the customer will be disclosed only to suitably qualified parties following NDA.
Specialist market position
The business operates with multiple revenue streams across the following:
auctioneering;
probate and estate clearance;
property clearance;
asset valuation;
removals and logistics;
storage;
liquidation;
deceased repatriation services.
Its integrated model enables saleable assets to be identified, recovered and monetised rather than simply disposed of.
Asset-light operating model
The business operates with a relatively modest fixed-cost base, including:
one part-time employee;
flexible self-employed manual labour;
rented premises; and
a relatively modest vehicle/equipment base.
This provides scope for a larger acquirer to introduce existing infrastructure and generate operational synergies.
Significant strategic upside
The opportunity is considered particularly attractive to an established:
auction house;
property-clearance group;
probate/estate services business;
insolvency/asset-realisation specialist;
online auction operator;
removals/storage group; or
broader asset-disposal business.
A strategic purchaser may be able to accelerate growth through existing management, logistics, technology, customer relationships and geographic coverage.
Financial Performance
Management reports that the business has entered the current financial year strongly.
First-quarter turnover: >£107,000
This represents an annualised turnover run-rate of approximately £428,000, although no assumption is made that quarterly performance will remain constant.
Management also reports strong growth in shareholders' funds during the opening months of the current financial year.
Last Financial Year - £307k Turnover, GP £236k and £150k ANP (pre-owner's costs)
Our View
The business represents an opportunity to acquire a profitable specialist operation with a valuable source of customer work and significant cash resources, together with the potential to create additional value through scale.
The current owner is the principal operator and has significant specialist knowledge of the sector. However, the owner is willing to support an orderly handover and transition period, including customer introductions, transfer of operational knowledge and assistance with the integration of the business.
This creates a realistic route for a trade purchaser to reduce key-person dependency following completion.
NEXT STEPS
Interested parties are invited to make contact to:
execute an appropriate confidentiality agreement;
receive the full Information Memorandum;
review further financial and operational information;
participate in an introductory management meeting; and
submit an indicative offer.
The identity of the business and its principal customer will be disclosed at the appropriate stage of the confidential sale process.
Key features:
- £307k turnover | £142k PBT | £300k+ cash | Strong current trading
- Exceptional recent growth
- Proven profitability
- Strong relationship with a strategic customer
- Specialist services
- Ownermanaged business with minimal staff
- Set for continued growth
- Full handover negotiable as required
- Retirement sale
