In the end, a business is worth nothing more and nothing less that what a qualified
buyer is willing to offer and what a motivated seller is willing to accept.

With the current state of the economy being what it is, there are probably more opportunities to buy or sell a printing business at a "fair market" price than ever before!

Unlike in the past when many sellers had a totally unrealistic idea as to what their business might be  worth, many sellers today are now willing to listen to potential buyers, especially to those who are willing to make a purchase offer based upon logical and fair valuation principles that both parties can agree upon.

The same is true for buyers as well. Today's economic realities provides fertile ground for printers willing to make inquiries of their competitors who might very well be interested in entertaining an offer to purchase. Some of these printing firms are struggling to survive, while others are simply nearing retirement age and no longer interested in making the investments required to grow their business.

From the buyer's perspective, it is important to note that a fundamental valuation principle requires that the business being considered for purchase has the ability to produce a steady income stream sufficient for the buyer to withdraw at least a "fair market" salary for his efforts as well as enough additional cash to purchase the business. Generally speaking, a business must be able to "buy itself" for it to be a good investment vehicle. Consequently, a buyer will typically look at key financial ratios, the current equipment mix, cash flow, customer mix and potential reductions in labor and overhead costs as various methods for funding this purchase.

From the seller's standpoint, he or she is interested in getting the highest price possible for the business with the least risks possible. Sellers, having owned and operated their businesses for many, many years, often tend to place an unrealistically high value on their business, and this is to be expected.

However, without a logical approach to determining the value of the business, and lacking excellent financial records and ratios, the disparity between what a buyer might be willing to offer and what a seller is willing to accept is often much further apart than it should be, thus discouraging one or both parties. That's where we can help. We can help both buyers and sellers narrow the gap between the asking price and the selling price significantly, making a sale or purchase far more likely.

My valuation services are designed to assist either both buyers and sellers, either individually or collectively, in providing these respective parties with an independent, 3rd party "fair market" valuation of the business in question.

It is important to understand that there is no "perfect" price for a business, but there is a "fair market" price. This price may not be the initial asking price nor the initial offering price, but it is a price based upon sound valuation principles, and if the parties in question can agree that the process and principles are indeed fair and logical, then the rest of the acquisition process can proceed quickly. 

Information Required - My valuation process relies heavily on three year's worth of weighted financial data and widely accepted formulas for determining the value of a printing business. I also use a 15-item questionnaire to more accurately determine an excess earnings multiplier or capitalization rate. These are the types of items I require for a typical valuation:

1. A minimum of 3 year's worth of financial statements (In special cases, we can prepare a valuation using just the most recent 12-month statements)
   
   
2. A list of all employees, including job descriptions and pay rates
   
   
3. A list of all key equipment along with their estimated replacement value
   
   
4. A list of the top 50 customers ranked by sales
   
   
5. Photographs of both exterior and interior of building or business (Optional)
   
   
6. A narrative written by either buyer or seller describing in as much detail as possible their background and experience levels.

What the client receives - The client receives a 10-15 page report including totally recast income and expense worksheets, a valuation criteria worksheet, and a narrative valuation report outlining the valuation principles used and our estimated value of the business.

How long does it take - Valuations, once all the material is received, are typically prepared in 7-10 days or less! However, we can produce a valuation report in  72 hours or less in situations where sellers or buyers find themselves in unique situations requiring immediate action. Generally speaking, we do not charge extra for this "rush" service, assuming we can meet our obligations to our other clients.

How much does it cost - The cost of this service ranges between $900 and $1,600 depending upon the size, complexity of the business in question, as well as the needs of the client. This fee is due upon engagement. We do accept MasterCard, Visa or AMEX .

Contact Information
Telephone: (321) 727-2444
Fax: (321) 727-2166
Address: 2110 South Dairy Rd., Melbourne, FL 32904
Contact: John Stewart at QKconsult@aol.com