Tuck-in
Sell into a larger group at the prevailing band.
Multiple strategy for owner-led firms
The multiple strategy most owners never get
A short public walk of tuck-in, platform, and repositioning, and the three decisions that choose among them. Outside-in. No pitch to shop your firm.
Book a free 20-minute walkthrough
Public information only. Company URL. Nothing else to prepare.
The curve
How consolidation changes your options over time
Platform
Build or buy coverage. Shorter window. Higher multiple.
Repositioning
Become a different kind of firm. Upside above tuck-in when the work is real.
The amber band is the maximal window (Acceleration to Peak). That is when optionality is widest.
20 minutes
What the walk covers
Book a free 20-minute walkthrough
Complimentary. Company URL only. Not a broker. Not a banker. Fixed fee only if you go further.
- 01What public information can and cannot say about a firm like yours
- 02Your industry's phase on the curve (Opening to Late)
- 03Tuck-in, platform, and repositioning as buyer conversations, not your place-mark
- 04Three decisions: when, how you sell or don't, what kind of firm
- 05Whether a deeper written read is worth it
Three decisions
Three decisions determine on which curve you land
Public information can raise these. You need data to answer them.
When
Never · Later · Soon · ASAP
How you sell (or don’t)
Join someone else’s platform · Be the platform
What kind of firm
Stay as you are · Become a different kind of firm (only if the work is real)
After the walk
If you want the business case marked
DIY
Apply the framework yourself.
DFY
Multiple Forge can build the written business case from private anonymized files.
Insights
LinkedIn Insights
Short reads from the buy-side map.
Cycle
Who this is for
Fits
Owner-led US and Canada services. Roughly $2M+ revenue / ~$500k+ EBITDA. Transition on the horizon even if timing is open.
Doesn’t
Urgent sale, early company or looking for a formal valuation. Not a great fit for standard Multiple Forge services, but happy to see if we can help.
Industry evidence
Evidence behind the curve
Select a phase to review the public signals behind the industry pattern.
Acceleration · in the window
Electrical contracting
Data-center and reshoring demand pulling specialty electrical into platform formation.
Architecture / engineering
552 firms changed hands last year; international buyers entering the US.
Architecture & Engineering verticalMarketing agencies
Holding-company and PE-backed roll-ups competing for sub-scale agencies.
Auto repair
Multi-shop operators scaling; insurance/fleet contracts becoming the platform moat.
3PL & logistics
Asset-light 3PLs consolidating; tech-enabled platforms commanding a premium.
Roofing
Commercial roofing roll-ups well underway; storm-belt residential the next wave.
Industrial services
Plant-maintenance and specialty industrial platforms multiplying around reshored capacity.
Behavioral health
Outpatient and ABA platforms scaling rapidly; the window is open and visibly closing.
Wealth management (RIA)
Aggregators competing for sub-$1B RIAs; ensemble pricing widening.
Trust
Owner-aligned by design.
Not a broker. Not a banker. Fixed fees. Owner-aligned. Useful whether or not you transact.
Operator
Jon Rothbart
Buy-side calibrated, McKinsey trained, and focused on owner-led services firms. Jon directs every engagement personally.