When to transfer your business?

It’s not always easy to admit that the time has come to transfer your business. Here are several situations to anticipate or at least recognize.

When to transfer your company, international transfer of companies

Recognize that it’s time to transfer your business

The best time to transfer a business is difficult to find. It is the small point of convergence between a fiscally and financially interesting exit. In short, when you pay the least amount of taxes and sell at the best price. To sell your company in the best conditions, it is essential to take a step back from your situation. Our expert advice.

Identify the right time to transfer your business

Anticipating the day when the business will sell at the best price is delicate. If there is a part of chance and opportunity, several parameters must be analyzed and indicate that, perhaps, it is the ideal moment to transmit its company:

The value of your company has significantly increased: After a phase of important growth, your company has a “liquid” value only if you sell. Moreover, managing a company involves risks, and the more you grow, the more risks you run… Indeed, it is essential to sell before the crash, the loss of a contract or the arrival of a new competitor. Because as soon as the company’s balance sheet is less than stellar, your business loses its value.
You want to take advantage of the changes in the law of succession, which make family transmission easier: A good reason to transmit your company is of course the desire to pass the baton to your children. Today, the Dutreil pact relaxes the conditions necessary to benefit from a 75% allowance on inheritance tax.

Your partners want to sell: you have the choice of buying back their shares and becoming 100% owner of the business or selling it to a third party and starting over. This second option is more prudent because you will get an equal, proportional share of the sale.
You no longer have the energy, skills or resources to grow the business: A business must continually grow and, as an owner, there will come a time when you feel you can no longer do so. If you feel that the company is at a strategic turning point, that it needs to modernize to sustain its business, but you don’t feel capable of doing so, you should consider reselling. Prospect for buyers who have the experience and knowledge you lack.
You have other opportunities, other desires: And of course, you need to finance these new projects. Conversely, retirement is also an excellent reason to transfer your business. If you can boast of a fulfilling professional career and a personal income that keeps you out of trouble, there is definitely nothing holding you back at the head of your business.

However, one cannot deny a sentimental, psychological implication. Few entrepreneurs launch a project thinking about the moment when they will have to part with it. But remember: anticipating the right day to pass on your business is also about securing your future.

And prepare its transmission

You have decided to sell your company? Everything will not be settled overnight. If some experts estimate that 5 to 10 years are necessary before selling a company, you will certainly not be able to sell in less than 1 to 2 years. This period of time is dedicated to identify the “key” positions and skills in the company’s operation, in order to understand the aspects to be valued and the weaknesses to be corrected.

You think about the future of your company? Call on Actoria consultants, specialists in business transfer in Europe for more than 25 years.

FAQ

What services does Actoria provide?
Actoria specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory for small and mid-sized businesses. Our services include company sales, succession planning, buy-side and sell-side mandates, business valuation, financial diagnostics, investor sourcing, negotiation support and full transaction execution until closing.

Who does Actoria work with?
We support SME owners, family-business leaders, shareholders, entrepreneurs, private investors, and corporate groups seeking to acquire or divest businesses in Europe and North Africa.

In which countries does Actoria operate?
Actoria has local teams in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Morocco and Tunisia, and manages cross-border deals across Europe, Africa and the Middle East through an international buyer network.

How many potential buyers are in Actoria’s network?
Our proprietary network includes more than 6,500 qualified industrial buyers, strategic acquirers and financial investors, allowing us to match sellers with high-quality counterparties.

Does Actoria support confidential business sales?
Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to our process. All discussions, documentation and buyer approaches are handled discreetly to protect the interests of the seller and the business.

What industries does Actoria cover?
We advise companies across multiple sectors, including industrial production, manufacturing, services, IT and digital, healthcare, logistics and distribution, construction, and specialized B2B services.

What is the typical size of businesses Actoria represents?
We primarily advise SMEs with revenues generally ranging from CHF/EUR 2 million to 100 million, depending on jurisdiction and market.

How does Actoria determine the value of a business?
We perform detailed financial and strategic analysis using multiple valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, market multiples, asset-based methods, and sector benchmarking.

How long does a business sale process take?
A standard transaction typically takes 6 to 12 months depending on market conditions, buyer interest, company complexity and diligence requirements.

Why choose Actoria as an M&A advisor?
With over 20 years of experience, a senior advisory team, a structured methodology, and an extensive network of qualified buyers, Actoria delivers independent advice, tailored execution and strong transaction results for SME owners.

Lastest Posts

Check out our latest publications

Three Critical Decisions to Make Before Selling Your Business

Actoria news, Business for sale, International business takeover, International business transfer, International business valuation, International M&A, News Actoria International, Sale of an international company, Sell your business internationally, SME for sale in International, Strategy, Transfer of an International business

5 Key Threats Business Owners Face When Selling Their Company

New transaction realized by Actoria in the yachting sector, Mergers & Acquisitions in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Andora, Europe, Afrika

Press release: Actoria supports the sale of SBM - Rolling Box

What are the main stages in the transfer of a business?, Mergers & Acquisitions in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Andora, Europe, Afrika

Mindset of international entrepreneurs

Planning the transfer of your business

Buying a company? 5 tips to know

Any questions?

An expert team at your disposal

30 minutes
with a specialist in Mergers & Acquisitions

Be called
by a Senior Consultant in M&A

Consult our
Frequently asked questions

They trust us

Actoria has swiftly identified the inefficiencies in our company’s processes, proposed optimizations, and implemented them effectively. Furthermore, Actoria has provided outstanding support throughout all stages of our company’s transfer to a group within our industry. This includes preparing our company, identifying potential buyer partners, and negotiating up to the point of the partner’s capital entry. Actoria delivered expert negotiation skills and secured a valuable partner for us.

Sylvain LibherTriplast

We were quite anxious to find a solution, as my health was deteriorating rapidly. Actoria’s consultant played a crucial role in the successful completion of my company’s sale. Their involvement was essential in executing this delicate project, as it impacted our daily operations. This project, which was close to my heart and increasingly necessary, was made possible thanks to the decisive momentum provided by Actoria.

Olivier de BellevueBrehm

First, Actoria conducted a thorough assessment of our company’s strengths and weaknesses, and then suggested incorporating these insights into our management approach to enhance our company’s value. Actoria led this project alongside my entire management team, enabling the involvement of all key personnel, and swiftly implementing a solution that allowed an investor to enter our capital. This was complemented by the inclusion of some of my company’s executives and a bank.

Romuald SoblesseKaufmann SA

I couldn’t be happier with the result, but I am especially pleased with my decision to work with Actoria. The success of this mission was the direct result of Actoria’s hard work and sophisticated professionalism on my business. From our first meeting through the reasonable preparation process, all phases of the transfer, legal and financial operations were managed by the Actoria team. Their skills were even more evident when the complexities of this transaction were at its peak.

Hervé RoduitOmega Group

Hiring Actoria made the difference to achieve my original goal and move on to my next professional challenge. Selling a company like AMR in this market has not been an easy task. Actoria has demonstrated perseverance in identifying good buyers with knowledge of my industry in order to continue the development of my business, and has provided professional advice throughout the process.

Nicolas RafaleAMR SA

The company’s sales process was a lengthy and challenging journey. The professional support from Actoria made this endeavor much more manageable. I would like to extend special thanks to the consultants from Switzerland and France for their highly effective collaboration. Your consultants proposed creative solutions during the negotiations, which effectively overcame significant obstacles in order to finalize the agreement. Their experience, knowledge, and professionalism played a crucial role in the success of this transaction.

Gilbert SibersteinGroupe Janvic

Previous Next

7 steps method

To successfully transfer a business

Receive the Strategic Guide “How to successfully transfer your business” and follow the powerful methods of professionals

Free Financial Valuation

for your business transfer

The group in short :

Every year More than 30 successfull transactions with 20 Senior Consultants and Partners On companies with 5 to 100 employees With a turnover of 1 to 100 Million

We are located in many countries in Europe and Africa to provide access to foreign buyers/investors:

ACTORIA Swiss ACTORIA Morocco ACTORIA Belgium ACTORIA Spain ACTORIA Luxembourg ACTORIA France ACTORIA Italy ACTORIA Tunisia

The question of selling a business in Europe arises sooner or later. How to find the right buyer in Europe ? How to successfully transfer my business in Europe ? When you want to hand the hand-over to a successor , buyer, buyer or investor , the terms used are various: delivery company Europe, sale company, sale company Europe, sale small business in Europe. Whatever the terms used for the sale of your company in Europe, you can put your company on a list of companies for sale in Europe, a business exchange, or seek advice from a fusacq, a specialist in business transfer in Europe. With him you can think about the best buyer: family, employee , investment fund, external buyer. Sometimes it can offer you other solutions such as a getting closer to a company, a merging or establishing an alliance with another European company.

Business transfer in Switzerland, Business sale in Switzerland, Business succession and development in Switzerland , Transfer of business in Belgium, Sale of business in Belgium, Succession and development of businesses in Belgium, Trasmissione, Vendita d’azienda, impresse, PMI, Successione e Sviluppo del Business in Svizzera, Ticino e Italia, Traspaso, Cesión y Desarrollo de empresas en España, Transfer of business in France, Sale of company in France, Succession and development of companies in France, Übertragung, Verkauf, Nachfolge und Entwicklung der Unternehmen in der Schweiz & Deutschland, Transfer of business in Luxembourg, Sale of business in Luxembourg, Succession and development of businesses in Luxembourg.