Acquisition Criteria

What we look
for in a business.

We are focused, selective, and intentional. Our criteria are specific because they have to be — we're not buying a portfolio of companies, we're building a cluster of enduring businesses we intend to hold permanently.

$1–5M Target EBITDA
Niche Manufacturing Only
North America Geography
10+ Years in Business
Financial Profile

The numbers
we target

We operate in the lower middle market — businesses too large for search fund buyers and too small for institutional private equity. It's a segment we know deeply and navigate well.

Our target range is niche manufacturing businesses generating between $1M and $5M in EBITDA, with revenues typically between $5M and $30M. We seek businesses with consistent, verifiable profitability — ideally three or more years of documented earnings — and defensible margins that reflect genuine pricing power.

We are not distressed investors. We look for businesses that are healthy and growing, owned by founders or families who are ready for a transition, not businesses in need of a turnaround.

$1M – $5M EBITDA
$5M – $30M Revenue
10 – 100 Employees
10+ Yrs Operating History
Profitability Consistent and verifiable. Three or more years of clean EBITDA history, with owner add-backs that are reasonable and defensible.
Revenue quality Recurring or repeat revenue preferred. Aftermarket parts, service contracts, or deep repeat customer relationships are significant positives.
Customer concentration We prefer diversified customer bases. No single customer exceeding 25–30% of revenue is ideal, though exceptions exist for long-standing relationships with blue-chip counterparties.
Geography United States primary focus, with a preference for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Canada considered selectively.
Deal size Enterprise values typically $5M – $25M. We can move quickly on deals in this range with our established capital relationships.
Business Characteristics

What makes a
great fit

Beyond the numbers, we look for specific operational and competitive characteristics that signal durability — and that play to our strengths as operators.

Specialized & differentiated

  • Engineered-to-order or custom products
  • Proprietary designs, tooling, or know-how
  • Certifications, approvals, or compliance barriers
  • Not easily replicated or commoditized
  • Technical complexity that requires domain expertise

Aftermarket or recurring economics

  • Captive parts and consumables revenue
  • Service and maintenance agreements
  • Installed base that generates repeat demand
  • High switching costs for customers
  • Parts or service margins exceeding capital equipment

B2B customer relationships

  • Industrial, commercial, or institutional end customers
  • Long-standing relationships (5+ years preferred)
  • Fortune 500 or blue-chip customers a positive
  • Customers who cannot easily switch suppliers
  • Contracts, approvals, or vendor status in place
Deal Situations

Situations we
pursue

We engage across a range of ownership transition scenarios. What matters most is that the business fits our criteria and the seller is motivated to find the right long-term steward.

Founder retirement

An owner who has built and led the business for decades is ready to step back. We offer a clean, structured exit — or a phased transition with continued involvement if desired.

Family succession gap

The next generation isn't interested in running the business, or isn't ready yet. We can provide continuity for employees and customers while the family achieves liquidity.

Partnership buyout

Two or more co-owners have divergent goals or timelines. We can facilitate a clean buyout, providing liquidity to the departing partner and continuity for the business.

Partial liquidity / rollover

An owner wants to take some chips off the table while retaining equity in the business. We structure flexible deals — the seller rolls a meaningful stake alongside our investment.

The ideal
Shoreline
business

If your business checks most of these boxes, we'd like to hear from you.

Start a conversation

Niche manufacturing — specialized, not commoditized

$1M – $5M in EBITDA, three or more years of history

Aftermarket parts, service, or captive recurring revenue

Long-standing B2B customer relationships

A capable team willing to continue post-close

Founder ready to transition — partial or full exit

North America based, preferably Southeast US

10+ years in operation with established market position