For many power equipment dealers, selling the business isn’t simply another financial transaction. It’s the culmination of decades spent building customer relationships, hiring employees who became family, weathering recessions and supply chain disruptions, and adapting to the ever changing marketplace.

Yet conversations about succession have become increasingly common. The average dealership owner continues to age, while fewer younger family members are stepping forward to take over established businesses. At the same time, consolidation remains active, with regional dealer groups and larger organizations looking to expand through acquisition. PET’s latest Dealer Survey found that nearly 80% of responding dealers are over the age of 50, underscoring the importance of succession planning across the industry.

Against a backdrop of tariffs, fluctuating interest rates, inflation concerns and global uncertainty, many owners naturally wonder if they should accelerate their plans. According to Mark Herbick, founder and CEO of middle-market advisory firm Pursant LLC, that’s the wrong place to start.

“The headlines shouldn’t dictate your exit strategy,” Herbick says. Instead, he encourages owners to evaluate three areas that truly determine whether it’s the right time to sell: Market conditions, business and personal readiness.

• ARCHER
• FERRIS
• KRESS
• PIONEER
• ROTARY

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