Brad Williams: Succession Planning

Why Good Businesses Sell for Less Than They Should

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Understanding how buyers view a business can help explain why valuations sometimes fall short of expectations.

2026 Predictions: Ten trends supply houses should know

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time for me to review my predictions from last year and predict ten more trends for 2026. Just like last year, I will avoid predicting where the stock market will be at the end of 2026; instead, I will stick to identifying trends that supply houses will find important in the upcoming year. My scorecard shows I got 7.25 out of 12 right. With all of that, let's jump in and review my 2025 predictions.

Six key questions to ask yourself when succession planning

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Passing your business to a successor may seem easy, but researching potential candidates is essential. Evaluate their fit with your company’s values and strengths. Consider training a promising member of your management team early.

2025 predictions: Twelve trends supply houses should know

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As 2024 ends, I’ll review last year’s predictions and share twelve trends for 2025. I’ll focus on important trends for supply houses rather than predicting the stock market. Let’s dive into my 2024 predictions.

Why big box retailers fall short against local industrial suppliers

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this article, we will discuss the significant trends impacting the industrial distribution sector, including digital transformation, automation, data optimization, omnichannel approaches, challenges in improving profit margins, legacy system fragmentation, and industry consolidation.

Emerging trends in industrial distribution

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This article covers the significant trends impacting the industrial distribution sector, including digital transformation, data optimization, omnichannel approaches, and industry consolidation. It offers insights into how these trends will shape the future of industrial distribution.

Global and U.S. economic 2024 predictions

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

As 2023 comes to a close it is now time to review my predictions from last year as well as predict ten more trends I see as we enter 2024.

Brad Williams: Five estate planning tips for business owners

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Estate planning can be a complex process, particularly for business owners who need to consider not only their personal assets but also the future of their business. Here are five tips for business owners to keep in mind when planning their estate.

Brad Williams: Buy to sell

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The benefits of buying companies are vast. In this article, I will explore the reasons for buying a company today that will benefit your company in the future. There is an entire industry built around the idea of “buy to sell,” — private equity.

Brad Williams: How to build an exit strategy

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

An exit strategy is a contingency plan for a person to exit a business in the event that it meets a substantial profit or it becomes no longer profitable. Investors, business owners, traders, or venture capitalists may plan exit strategies when become involved with a business. The purpose of an exit strategy is to limit losses or maximize personal profit when the exit occurs.

Brad Williams: 2023 predictions

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

As 2022 comes to a close it is now time to review my predictions from last year as well as predict ten more trends I see as we enter 2023. Just like last year, I will stay away from prognosticating about where the stock market will be at this end of the year; instead, I will stick to identifying trends that supply houses will find important in this upcoming year. With all that being said, let's jump right in and review my 2022 predictions.

Brad Williams: A discussion on buyer types

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

If you’re selling your business, one of the most important considerations is who to sell the business to. Before you do a deep dive, think about whether to sell to a strategic or financial buyer.

Brad Williams: Quality of earnings

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

During an acquisition, the buyer must conduct exhaustive due diligence to ensure that they have a complete picture of the company they are seeking to buy. This involves many steps, but perhaps one of the most important is producing a quality of earnings report.

Brad Williams: An unprecedented year for M&A

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This past year has been an unprecedented year for the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space, hitting $5 trillion in volume in 2021 through over 40,000 transactions. The number of transactions in the distribution and manufacturing space has caused owners to take a closer look at their options regarding selling and/or acquisition options.

Brad Williams: What you need to know about letters of intent

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A letter of intent (LOI) is an essential step in the merger and acquisition (M&A) process, yet its exact purpose and content might be widely unknown.

Brad Williams: Mid-year state of the market

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:41:01 -0400

The FED has plans to raise these rates slowly throughout the year, but the last time Jerome Powell (current FED chairman) attempted this in 2018, he had to revert his course and lower rates once again. It is possible that Powell is forced to keep rates low again, even with high inflation.

Brad Williams: Recommended estate tax changes to make before 2022 ends

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

The federal gift and estate tax exemption is currently the highest it has been since the tax was enacted over 100 years ago. President Joe Biden has proposed drastically changing the estate tax in order to raise revenues for his infrastructure plans.

Brad Williams: 10 predictions for 2022

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 09:59:57 -0500

“As we enter into 2022,” — when you say that out loud it sounds a lot like “2020-2.” Don’t be alarmed, I believe things are moving in a positive direction. I have laid out trends that I see as important factors moving into the new year. I am not going to prognosticate about where the stock market is going, but rather about what I feel is going to be the most important factors impacting supply houses across the country.

Brad Williams: What is EBITDA?

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

As a business owner, you are constantly comparing business performance not only to competition but to previous year earnings and performance. In merger and acquisition transactions, EBITDA is often used by companies to compare similar businesses in the same market. Understanding how to use EBITDA can help your overall performance and make sure you are prepared in the event of a business sale or purchase.

Bradley Williams: Potential impact of the Biden tax plan

Fri, 21 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

The decision to sell any business involves a complex set of decision-making points. The business’ underlying value, health of the overall industry, interest rates, growth potential, geographical location, owner’s age, taxes and many other factors contribute to an owner’s decision to sell or instead focus on succession planning.

Brad Williams: The 2020 election aftermath

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Many plumbing distributors have been in business for more than 50 years — and they have always found opportunities to thrive regardless of Congress and presidential executive orders.

Bradley Williams: 5 things to consider when thinking of selling your business

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400

When it’s time to plan an exit strategy there are many options.