For the lower-middle market business owner, revenue figures tell only half the story. In the language of high-stakes M&A, EBITDA is the true currency of exit value. This strategic brief explores how sophisticated buyers utilize this metric to normalize earnings and how proper recasting can significantly alter your enterprise valuation before you go to market.

The industrial landscape of 2026 is reshaping valuation metrics. This Chairman's View explores how strategic manufacturing forums like IMTS and AeroDef define the "premium" acquisition targets of tomorrow, offering a roadmap for owners to maximize EBITDA multiples through market intelligence.2026 Manufacturing M&A: Strategic Events for Exit Planning