What Opportunities Does the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Business Location Offer to Business Sellers?
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has developed into a dynamic business location over the past decades, offering specific advantages to business sellers. With a gross domestic product of €50.4 billion (2023) and steady growth of 3.9% compared to the previous year, the federal state demonstrates positive economic development. This upward momentum creates a favorable environment for business sales and increases attractiveness for potential buyers.
Its strategic position between the metropolitan regions of Berlin and Hamburg, as well as proximity to the Baltic States and Scandinavia, makes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern an appealing location for investors seeking expansion opportunities toward the Baltic Sea region. The well-developed transport infrastructure, including the ports of Rostock and Wismar and connections to the national highway and rail networks, further support these locational advantages.
Another plus is the above-average funding landscape Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers as a structurally weaker region. Investors can benefit from attractive funding programs, making the acquisition of an existing business economically more appealing and potentially positively influencing sale prices.
What Is the Succession Situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s SME Sector?
The SME sector in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern comprises around 70,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, accounting for approximately 80% of all jobs and 90% of all training positions in the state. According to surveys by regional chambers of industry and commerce, about 4,500 of these companies face succession challenges within the next five years.
A particular feature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the historically younger average age of companies. Many businesses were founded only after reunification, and the first generation of entrepreneurs is now reaching retirement age. This is leading to a wave of succession situations that will increase further in the coming years.
The average equity ratio of companies in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is 25.8%, providing a solid foundation for prospective buyers. However, demographic developments with tendencies of younger, well-educated professionals moving away pose challenges, making the search for family-internal or regional successors more difficult. This simultaneously opens opportunities for supraregional or international buyers interested in taking over and further developing proven business models.
Which Industries Are Particularly Strong in Sales in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
The economic structure of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is characterized by several distinctive industry focal points that are especially relevant in business sales:
Tourism and healthcare are key sectors, supported by the long Baltic Sea coastlines, lake landscapes, and renowned spa and health resorts. Companies in this area, particularly hotels, holiday resorts, and healthcare facilities, often achieve above-average valuations due to the continuously growing demand for vacation and health services.
The maritime economy, including shipbuilding, port operations, and marine technology, has a long tradition in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Companies in this sector are attractive to strategic buyers aiming to strengthen their market position in the Baltic Sea region.
The food industry and agriculture form a growing sector through the processing of regional products and organic farming. Sustainably oriented companies in this field increasingly attract buyers who want to capitalize on the trend toward regional and organic products.
The renewable energy sector, especially wind power and bioenergy, is steadily gaining importance in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Companies in this forward-looking sector often achieve attractive multiples in sales.
Specialized craft businesses and industrial companies operating in niche markets and serving supraregional customers are also sought-after acquisition targets for investors looking to take over and develop proven business models.
How Is the Value of a Company in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Determined?
The valuation of a company in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern generally follows established methods but takes regional specifics into account:
The income approach forecasts the company’s future earnings and discounts them to present value. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, regional economic development plays an important role: companies in growth sectors such as tourism or renewable energy can benefit from positive future prospects.
The multiplier method uses industry-specific factors multiplied by key figures like EBIT or EBITDA. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, these multipliers vary significantly by sector: tourism businesses are often valued with EBITDA multiples between 4.5 and 7, while manufacturing companies typically range between 3.5 and 5.5.
The asset-based approach considers the tangible value of all assets minus liabilities. This method is particularly important for asset-intensive companies, such as those in the maritime economy or agriculture.
For a well-founded valuation, consulting an experienced business appraiser familiar with regional market conditions is recommended. A professional valuation forms the basis for realistic price expectations and increases the chances of a successful sale.
What Support Can Sellers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Utilize?
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers a comprehensive network of support services for entrepreneurs wishing to sell their business:
The chambers of industry and commerce in Rostock, Schwerin, and Neubrandenburg operate specialized succession exchanges and provide individual consulting for business sellers. The IHK’s "succession moderation" assists in bringing sellers and potential successors together.
The chambers of crafts in Schwerin and East Mecklenburg-West Pomerania have business advisors focused on business succession. They support company valuations and can connect sellers with suitable prospects from their networks.
The Bürgschaftsbank Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft offer specialized financing instruments for business successions. These can benefit both sellers and buyers, for example, in structuring transition arrangements.
The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Succession Network consolidates offerings from various institutions and serves as a central contact point for all succession-related questions. Regular events like the "Succession Day MV" provide opportunities for exchange and networking with potential buyers.
Specialized M&A advisors with a regional focus possess valuable market knowledge and buyer networks. They can professionally accompany the entire sales process.
Online platforms like viaductus complement traditional buyer search methods and increase the chances of finding the right successor for your business in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
How to Optimize the Sales Process in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
Selling a business in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern follows a structured process that leads to success with proper preparation:
The preparation phase should ideally begin 1–2 years before the planned sale. During this time, you can work on optimizing your business: cleaning up the balance sheet, increasing profitability, and documenting key processes and customer relationships.
Professionalism is essential when creating the sales documents. A compelling sales prospectus presents your company optimally and contains all relevant information for potential buyers. An anonymized short profile (teaser) serves as the initial point of contact.
Buyer search is conducted discreetly and purposefully. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, besides classic approaches such as direct contact with strategic investors, regional networks and events like the "Succession Day MV" are recommended. Due to demographic challenges, searching for potential buyers beyond the region is advisable.
After initial talks with interested buyers and signing a confidentiality agreement, the due diligence phase follows, during which the potential buyer thoroughly examines your company.
In the negotiation phase, purchase price, payment terms, and transition arrangements are agreed upon. Special attention should be paid to the tax aspects of the transaction and the drafting of the purchase agreement.
A realistic timeframe for the entire sales process is usually 6 to 12 months. Professional support from M&A advisors, tax consultants, and lawyers can significantly facilitate this process.
What Tax-Specific Considerations Should Be Taken into Account When Selling a Business in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
Selling a business has significant tax implications that can be optimized through early planning:
In an asset deal, i.e., the sale of individual assets of the company, profits are generally subject to income tax. Under certain conditions, however, exemptions under § 16 EStG can be utilized, especially if the seller is over 55 years old.
In a share deal, i.e., the sale of company shares, the tax treatment depends on the legal form. For corporations, the partial income procedure applies, under which 40% of capital gains may remain tax-free.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern levies one of the higher real estate transfer tax rates in Germany at 6%. This is particularly relevant in real estate transactions within a business sale, for example, in tourism businesses owning real estate.
Establishing a holding structure before the sale can offer tax advantages and should be examined in a timely manner. The use of reinvestment options under § 6b EStG can also reduce the tax burden.
In family-internal transfers, special benefits regarding inheritance and gift tax can be claimed. The transfer of business assets within the family can, under certain conditions, be largely tax-free.
Early consultation with specialized tax experts is essential to minimize tax liabilities when selling a business.
How Can Succession Search Succeed in a Demographically Challenged Federal State?
The demographic situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with tendencies of younger professionals moving away, poses particular challenges for business sellers but also offers specific solutions:
The supraregional search for successors should be initiated early. Specialized brokerage platforms and M&A advisors can provide valuable support by targeting interested parties from other federal states or abroad.
The "Returnee Program MV" targets former residents who have gained professional experience elsewhere and wish to return to their home region for business succession. This group combines regional ties with external expertise and thus represents an interesting option for business sellers.
Collaboration with local universities and colleges can establish contacts with qualified graduates interested in entrepreneurship through business acquisition. Programs like the "Founders’ Grant MV" provide financial support and coaching.
Attractiveness for supraregional successors can be increased through targeted measures: highlighting the high quality of life in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, emphasizing growth opportunities in certain sectors, and pointing out attractive funding options for business takeovers.
A gradual handover with an extended familiarization period can lower barriers for potential successors while ensuring knowledge transfer. Models such as temporary seller participation or advisory roles after the sale can enhance attractiveness for buyers.