More and more SMEs are opting for an external sale
Two recent studies from the south of the Netherlands anf Flanders confirm that the number of companies being transferred to the family is declining. Almost one in two SMEs would be sold to an external party
The two studies, conducted by Maastricht University and the other by Antwerp Management school, come to practically the same conclusions.
An important finding is that the number of family transfers continues to decline:
|
2015 |
2019 |
Transfer to family member Flanders |
59% |
41% |
Transfer to family member South-Netherlands |
43% |
39% |
As a logical consequence, the number of external takeovers of SMEs, which will be sold within 5 years, is increasing:
|
2015 |
2019 |
Transfer to family member Flanders |
32% |
48% |
Transfer to family member South-Netherlands |
40% |
42% |
The Flemish study shows that 50% of the companies surveyed are considering a takeover (family or external) within 5 years. At our northern neighbors, the counter stands at 37% of the companies. Quite an important number of SMEs are on the edge of a fundamental change.
Source: research results Antwerp Management School / Hasselt University and Maastricht University