Everett at a glance
- Where
- Snohomish County seat, about 25 miles north of Seattle on Port Gardner Bay
- Big names nearby
- Boeing's widebody plant, Naval Station Everett, the Port of Everett and Paine Field
- Companies that sell well
- Aerospace and machining suppliers, marine services, trade contractors, healthcare and home services
- Workforce
- Skilled trades and manufacturing labor, which buyers value
- Who buys
- Aerospace and industrial groups, regional competitors, and individual buyers moving north for lower costs
Aerospace and Machining Suppliers
Suppliers to Boeing and other aerospace firms are attractive, but buyers look closely at customer concentration and certifications. If one prime contractor provides most of your revenue, expect questions about contract terms and order history.
Quality certifications and clean audit histories help a lot.
Marine and Port Work
The Port of Everett and the naval station support boat repair, marine supply and fabrication companies. Our page on marine services covers how buyers judge waterfront sites, leases and environmental records.
Trades and Home Services
Snohomish County keeps growing, and trade contractors, home services and healthcare practices benefit. Buyers value recurring maintenance work and crews that will stay.
Who Buys in Snohomish County
Buyers come from three directions. Industrial groups buy suppliers to secure capacity and certified people. Seattle competitors buy to reach the growing north end without opening a new branch.
Individual buyers, often moving from King County for lower housing and operating costs, look for steady service and trade companies they can run themselves with an SBA loan.
Getting Ready
- Show revenue by customer for three years, with contracts where you have them
- Document certifications, audits and quality procedures
- List equipment with age, condition and any planned replacements
- Confirm your state, city and employer accounts are current
A broker can tell you which of these will matter most to the buyers likely to call.
Timing Around Big Employers
Companies tied to aerospace feel production rates at the large plants. Buyers will ask how your revenue moved through slowdowns and recoveries, so be ready to show five years, not just three.
A company that held its customers through a slow period is easier to finance and easier to sell.
Employer Accounts at Closing
Manufacturing and trade companies often have significant workers' comp exposure. A buyer may inherit your claims history and rate, so expect requests for L&I records. See L&I and ESD accounts after a sale.
To learn what your company could bring, use the price check form or call (206) 555-0171. More background is on Seattle Business Brokers Desk.