Just as baby boomers on the manufacturing plant floor are getting ready to retire, so are the owners. More than 5,000 small manufacturing operations (with annual revenues between $2 and $20 million) will either close their doors or find new owners during the next five years.

Some of these owners are motivated to keep the business running for their seasoned and experienced employees. Others really want to “cash-out” after decades of hard work. What few of these founders/owners consider is what they can do during the next year to help their businesses be seen as attractive and worthwhile to prospective buyers.

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