Exit Excellence for Industry Leaders Webinar Series: Manufacturing Buyer Types Explained
Hosted by: GlobalAutoIndustry.com
For more information contact Ron Hesse
The Exit Excellence for Industry Leaders Webinar Series is designed to give owners and executives of industrial and manufacturing businesses practical, real-world insight into building value and preparing for a successful exit. Each session breaks down complex M&A, valuation, and succession topics into clear, actionable guidance, helping leaders make smarter decisions long before a transaction is on the table. Whether you plan to sell in the near term or simply want to run a more resilient, valuable business, this series provides the perspective, tools, and clarity needed to prepare on your terms.
What You’ll Learn in This Session
Explore the three primary buyer categories pursuing mid-market manufacturing companies: strategic buyers, private equity firms, and family offices. This session compares acquisition criteria, valuation approaches, deal structures, and post-close expectations. Attendees will learn how to position their business for the right buyer type based on personal goals, growth strategy, and legacy considerations.
This event is part of a comprehensive year-long series.
When registering, you also have the option to select previous sessions to gain access to their recordings. Simply indicate the sessions you’d like included as part of your registration.
o Attend entire series ($195)
o March 25, 2026: Manufacturing Business Valuation Fundamentals ($30)
o April 22, 2026: Preparing Your Manufacturing Business for Sale ($30)
o May 20, 2026: Building a Sellable Management Team ($30)
o June 24, 2026: Manufacturing Buyer Types Explained ($30)
o July 22, 2026: The Manufacturing M&A Deal Process ($30)
o August 26, 2026: Tax-Efficient Exit Strategies for Manufacturers ($30)
o September 23, 2026: Quality of Earnings for Manufacturing Exits ($30)
o October 21, 2026: Maximizing EBITDA Before a Sale ($30)
o November 18, 2026: Negotiating Manufacturing Deal Terms ($30)
o December 16, 2026: Life After Selling Your Manufacturing Business ($30)
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Jess Bailey
Jess Bailey is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Bailey Law Firm, where she advises business owners and executives on exit readiness and M&A representation. She works with closely held companies across industries, helping founders strengthen the foundations buyers scrutinize in diligence—governance, contract risk, compliance hygiene, IP/confidentiality protections, and deal-ready documentation—and then leads the legal side of the transaction from LOI through closing. Her approach is practical and business-first, supporting a range of outcomes including private equity, strategic buyers, third-party sales, and management buyouts, whether an exit is near-term or years away.
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Ron Hesse
Ronald Hesse founded HCI Group Ltd., parent of GlobalAutoIndustry.com, in 1996. He is President and CEO of the Company and leads several Programs, including the Global M&A Program, which matches Buyers and Sellers of automotive and manufacturing related companies worldwide. Previously, he was director of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency’s Chicago office, where he led an automotive acquisition initiative supporting more than 100 companies in setting up their European operations. He spent 11 years in executive sales and marketing roles in the computer industry and co-founded several high-tech ventures, including Ocean Communications Inc., a venture-backed business television production company with programs aired on CNBC, CNN International, and major U.S. networks. Hesse holds a master’s from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a bachelor’s from Ferris State University. He speaks Dutch, English, and German.
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Bob Carlstedt
An accomplished executive, management consultant, and entrepreneur, this business leader leverages over three decades of deep expertise in the global automotive sector to drive strategic growth, operational excellence, and high-value corporate transactions. Holding a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, he seamlessly bridges the gap between complex engineering systems and sophisticated corporate strategy and implementation.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has held pivotal leadership and general management roles within prominent Tier 1 automotive suppliers, including ArvinMeritor, where he directed major business units specializing in advanced chassis and suspension systems. A recognized expert in corporate restructuring and international business expansion, he has cross-functional mastery in aligning global manufacturing capabilities with market demand, particularly across the North American and Asian markets.
A cornerstone of his career is his extensive track record in Mergers&Acquisitions (M&A). He has successfully architected and executed complex corporate transactions, ranging from the strategic positioning and divestiture of major manufacturing operations to the cross-border acquisition and integration of emerging technology businesses. Since 2009, he has operated a premier management consulting practice, advising global enterprises on M&A strategy, joint ventures, and strategic market entry. Today, he continues to lead multiple international business ventures, advising corporations on navigating global trade dynamics, reshoring strategies, and the deployment of next-generation industrial technologies.
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Seth Getz
Seth uses his background of starting and running Businesses along with 18 years of consulting with business owners to guide owners and teams through the difficult decisions of when and how to exit and sell their business.
He has developed a deep understanding of the difficulties facing owners through coaching hundreds of them through growth and transition as well as personal experience through selling his own business.
