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