Operator Background
Hands-on manufacturing and engineering experience — not a financial buyer looking for a quick resale.
Operator-led · Confidential
Acquiring Established Manufacturing & Engineering Businesses in North Carolina
Operator-led acquisitions with continuity for the people and customers already there — preserving what makes a business work while investing in what comes next.
- Years in manufacturing & engineering
- 8+
- Industrial manufacturers
- 3
- Years combined M&A support
- 30+
- Target adjusted EBITDA
- $500K–$1.5M
Buyer Profile
An operator's approach to acquisitions
CJ Business Acquisitions is led by Chad Johnson, a mechanical engineer and manufacturing operator with more than eight years across three industrial manufacturers. We look beyond the financial statements to the people, processes, equipment, and customer relationships that actually drive cash flow.
Data-Driven
Process improvement and data analysis used to find real operational value, not just cost cutting.
Continuity First
Preserving your employees, your customer relationships, and the reputation you built.
Experienced Support
Backed by a team bringing more than 30 years of combined M&A experience.
Acquisition Buy Box
What we look for
North Carolina · Lower middle market · Engineering and manufacturing. If your company is close to this profile, we would still like to hear from you.
See full investment criteria- Adjusted EBITDA
- $500K – $1.5M
- EBITDA margin
- 15% minimum
- Operating history
- 5+ years
- Customer concentration
- 20% maximum
- Geography
- North Carolina
- Transition
- 6 to 12 months
- Debt service coverage ratio
- 1.5x+
- Cash in business at close
- 1.86x equity injection
Owner Situations
Situations we understand
Every situation is different, but these are the circumstances we most often work with.
Retiring Owner
You have built something valuable, there is no internal successor, and you want a smooth transition for the team and customers you care about.
Second-Generation Exit
The next generation is ready to pursue a different path, and the business needs ownership prepared to carry it forward.
Corporate or PE Carve-Out
A non-core division or portfolio company that would benefit from focused, independent, hands-on ownership.
Thinking about your next chapter?
Whether you are an owner, a broker, or an intermediary, we welcome a confidential conversation.