Your safety specialist service has 12 specialists and no company doctor left
Your safety specialists serve 300 businesses under DGUV Regulation 2. You buy in occupational health care externally, and the company doctor retires in 2027.
Does this sound familiar?
Six compliance service providers facing the succession question
You built your company over decades. We know these situations from talks with owners. One of them is probably yours.
Your customs agency in Hamburg has 40 framework clients
You have handled import and export clearance for 20 years. CBAM and the EU customs reform bring work, and also new software costs. Customs Support has been in touch, but you do not want to become site number 40.
Your certification body lives on audit cycles
You audit ISO 9001, 14001 or 45001 with DAkkS accreditation. Your clients return every three years, the surveillance audit every year. The accreditation depends on you personally.
Your DPO firm has 300 mandates and one worry: Section 38 BDSG
You are the external data protection officer for 300 companies. The federal and state governments want to drop the obligation to appoint one from 20 people. You wonder what your company will be worth then. We have an honest answer, see the FAQ.
Your firm is the EU authorized representative for 80 manufacturers
You hold mandates for product compliance, CE marking and market surveillance. Your clients are based in Asia and the US and rarely switch. There is no successor.
You do a bit of everything
Occupational safety, data protection, fire safety and whistleblowing systems from one source for 400 clients. You have lived add-on growth without calling it that. This is exactly the platform we want to buy.
We speak your language
Terms your business uses every day
Anyone who wants to buy your company has to understand what your people are talking about. This is our vocabulary.
Basic careThe fixed base of hours under DGUV Regulation 2 that you must document for each client every year.
Risk assessmentThe obligation under Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) that is never finished at the client and reopens with every change.
Direct representationYou file declarations in the client's name and are not personally liable for the duties.
Surveillance auditThe annual audit between initial certification and recertification that carries your revenue in the three-year cycle.
ROPA (VVT)The record of processing activities under Art. 30 GDPR that is the first thing missing with every new mandate.
Responsible personThe contact person in the EU that retailers without an EU seat have needed for their products since the GPSR.
Mandate with a termAn officer contract that renews every year and brings predictable revenue.
Nonconformity reportThe document after the audit whose corrective actions you must follow up before the certificate is issued.
Your year, as we know it
January to MarchAnnual planning of hours, first safety committee meeting, activity reports for the previous year to management.
April to JunePeak season for surveillance audits, briefing rounds and site inspections before the holidays.
July to SeptemberHoliday gaps in the team, audit dates move, follow-ups on nonconformity reports pile up.
October to DecemberRecertifications before year-end, hour reconciliation for basic care, renewal of mandates and approvals.
Systems we work with in this sector:ATLASAEBDAKOSYBEOQuenticveriniceLUCIDgoAML
How you can tell we know your business
Numbers, rules, deadlines: what is moving your sector right now
A buyer has to know the market. These are the facts we work with.
Companies in Germany by number of employees
Number of legal units
Source: Destatis business register 2024
What this means for you
More than half a million businesses need external officers. The providers are regional and owner-managed.
Regulation sets the pace
1973ASiG: company doctor and safety specialist mandatory
07/2023HinSchG: reporting channel from 50 employees
12/2025NIS2 Implementation Act in force, ~29,500 entities affected
01/2026New DGUV Regulation 2: minimum share of 20% each for company doctor and safety specialist
by 12/2026Planned: removal of Section 38 BDSG
Six facts you can quote
- 01There are 3,543,865 legal units in Germany, of which 429,318 have 10 to 49 and 84,701 have 50 to 249 employees (Destatis business register 2024).
- 02103,333 companies with at least 50 employees must operate an internal reporting channel under HinSchG (Destatis 2024).
- 03About 109,000 SMEs per year plan a succession until 2029 (KfW succession monitoring 01/2026).
- 04IfM Bonn expects 186,000 handovers from 2026 to 2030, 31% of them in business services (IfM Bonn 2025).
- 05About 29,500 companies fall under the NIS2 Implementation Act, only about 18,500 had registered by 07/31/2026 (secjur, mars solutions 2026).
- 0698,810 obliged entities are registered with the FIU, out of more than 1 million in the non-financial sector (FIU 2024, Transparency International DE 2021).
AI efficiency in this sector
Which segment gains most from the technology
Our assessment for each segment of this sector, side by side. The bar shows what share of today's working time can be automated with available technology.
6segments assessed
3.5Average AI impact, scale 1 to 5
15% to 60%Range of automatable working time
| Segment | AI impact | Automatable working time | Strongest lever |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs agency | 5 | 45% to 60% | Suggested tariff classification |
| Data protection consulting | 4 | 35% to 50% | Semi-automatic record of processing activities |
| Product compliance | 4 | 35% to 50% | Automatic check of conformity documents |
| AML, whistleblowing, fire safety | 3 | 25% to 40% | Risk analysis from client data |
| Occupational safety services | 3 | 20% to 35% | Risk assessment from templates |
| Certification body | 2 | 15% to 25% | Audit report from notes |
GTP assessment as of September 2026. Not a market study. Sources and limits are on each segment page.
What we buy
Six segments and their minimum sizes
Occupational safety and company doctor services (platform)
Safety specialist services, external safety services, occupational health centers.
Minimum size: 150 or more active client companies, 5 specialists
More on this segment
Customs and export controlCustoms agencies, customs clearance providers, export control offices with framework clients.
Minimum size: guideline of 50 framework clients
More on this segment
Certification and inspection bodiesISO certifiers, IFS auditors, organic inspection bodies, energy auditors under the EDL-G.
Minimum size: accreditation held by at least two people
More on this segment
Data protection and information securityOfficer platform for DPO, ISO and the EU AI Act.
Minimum size: 150 or more mandates, mostly retainer revenue
More on this segment
Product compliance with a mandate characterEU authorized representatives, responsible persons, registration services.
Minimum size: 50 or more mandates with a term
More on this segment
AML, whistleblowing, fire safetyAs an add-on to an existing platform.
Minimum size: only as an add-on
More on this segment
What we do not buy
- Software companies
- IT system houses and security services
- Law and tax firms
- People-based businesses without scalable infrastructure, such as solo consultants without a team
- ESG and CSRD consulting
Why we buy this sector in particular
Three reasons why we buy in this sector
The obligation stays, whoever governs
Occupational safety under ASiG has been law since 1973. Businesses with more than 50 employees need standard care with a fixed minimum share of 20% (DGUV Regulation 2, revised 01/01/2026, and BGN 2026). This revenue stays even in a recession.
The market is large and fragmented
Germany has 429,318 companies with 10 to 49 employees and 84,701 with 50 to 249 (Destatis business register 2024). Each needs several officers. The providers are mostly owner-managed and regional.
Consolidators buy large providers, we buy from €0.5m EBITDA
Arsipa has kept buying since Warburg Pincus came in (03/2025). Customs Support Group is active in many European countries. Both need large acquisitions. We buy from €0.5m EBITDA.
What your company is worth
Valuation in five sentences, range with source
Valuation logic
- We value on the basis of sustainable EBITDA.
- Recurring retainers count for more than project revenue.
- A high share of mandatory services raises the multiple.
- Dependence on the owner lowers it.
- We show our calculation openly in the first call.
Value drivers
- High retainer share of revenue
- Churn below 10% per year
- At least 5 qualified specialists with their own client contact
- Documented processes for inspection, report and follow-up
Value reducers
- High share of one-off and project revenue
- Owner as the only knowledge holder or the only accredited person
- High share of very small mandates below 20 people (Section 38 exposure)
What you get in the first call
The first call takes 30 minutes, is confidential and is held with a partner. We work out your value with your numbers and name the three factors that move it most, including possible discounts. Afterwards you get our assessment in writing, even if we decline.
Market range, third-party source
What comparable companies trade at in the market
| Size class | EBITDA multiple |
|---|---|
| Micro-cap, revenue below €5m The relevant class for most succession cases in this segment | 3.5x to 5.5x |
| Small-cap, revenue €5m to €50m | 5.0x to 7.0x |
Category business services (B2B). Source: DUB KMU-Multiples Q2/2026. The DUB figures show asking prices and price expectations on a business marketplace. They do not include completed transactions. The range comes from an independent third party and is not an offer from GTP.
From multiple to cash
The multiple gives the enterprise value. What reaches your account depends on four items:
- Net financial debt
- Loans, leases and shareholder accounts are deducted, cash is added.
- Working capital
- We assume a normal level. An account emptied before the sale reduces the price.
- Investment backlog
- Vehicles, measuring equipment and software due in the next two years are deducted from the price.
- Payment structure
- Part of the price is paid only after signing, through a rollover or a performance-based component.
What lowers the value
If one of these points applies, the value drops:
- The owner personally holds the key customers
- Short remaining terms or contracts that can be terminated at any time
- If a large share of revenue depends on one customer, the price goes down.
- No second management level that runs the business without the owner
We calculate your value in the first call using your numbers. We go through the four items openly with you, even if the result is below your expectations.
What we plan
After the acquisition: what stays and what is added
We build a group from several owner-managed businesses. Each business stays independent and shares back office and purchasing with the others.
Independent, as before
- Name, brand and your phone number
- Location and premises
- Your team and local management
- Client contracts and the familiar contacts
- Your prices and your professional signature
What applies to your company, we put in the purchase agreement.
New in the group
- Back-office relief
- The system handles invoicing runs, documentation and standard correspondence. Your people check and approve.
- Recruiting
- Joint job postings, training paths and cover between the businesses in the group.
- Professional exchange
- Four meetings a year with the other owners and managers. Assess interpretation questions, standards and prices together.
- Joint client development
- Your clients often need services from the sister businesses too. We only recommend them with your consent.
- Purchasing and software
- Licenses, insurance and measuring equipment on terms a single business does not get.
- Capital
- Equity from the fund is available for filling positions, expanding locations or add-on acquisitions.
Why this route
Succession is settled, and your business stays independent under its own name. In the group it buys more cheaply and finds staff more easily. You decide whether you keep leading or leave after the handover.
Two types of buyer, one difference
Mid-sized direct buyer or large consolidator?
If the highest price matters most, look at both types of buyer. The table shows what each route means for your team and your role.
| Generation Tech Partners | Large consolidators (Arsipa, Customs Support) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Calculated openly with your numbers | Often higher |
| Response | Usually within 72 hours, with reasons | Weeks, often in an auction |
| Name and location | Stay | Often rebranding and a head office |
| Your role afterwards | Interim managing director, advisory board, rollover of up to 25% | Usually exit after handover |
| Team | Stays, gets back-office relief | Integration into group processes |
| Sector knowledge | Market data, regulation, sub-segments on this page | Yes, often deeper |
Both routes work directly or through an M&A advisor. We are just as happy to work with an advisor.
Why we buy this segment
Your clients have obligations to meet, and your business makes sure they do. We buy businesses that do this reliably. Professional responsibility stays with the people who carry it today.
I am responsible for the purchase agreement and the handover. For businesses that need a license or accreditation, the deal structure decides whether the approval survives the change of ownership.
For M&A advisors, tax advisors and succession advisors
Minimum sizes and teaser metrics for compliance service providers
Here are our minimum sizes per segment and the metrics we need in the teaser.
Minimum sizes per segment
| Segment | Minimum size |
|---|---|
| Occupational safety and company doctor services (platform) | 150 or more active client companies, 5 specialists |
| Customs and export control | Guideline of 50 framework clients |
| Certification and inspection bodies | Accreditation held by at least two people |
| Data protection and information security | 150 or more mandates, mostly retainer revenue |
| Product compliance with a mandate character | 50 or more mandates with a term |
| AML, whistleblowing, fire safety | Only as an add-on |
These metrics belong in the teaser
- Number of client companies or mandates served
- Retainer share of revenue, churn rate
- Revenue share of the largest client
- Accredited or appointed persons per service
What you get from us
- You usually get a clear answer with reasons within 72 hours. A no also comes in writing.
- We only approach your client through you.
- The price in our indicative offer only changes if due diligence shows something different from your documents.
- Capital comes from our €60m fund. We do not look for investors during the process.
- If your client does not fit us, we tell you who might.
All 24 segments and minimum sizes: Acquisition profile for advisors
Frequently asked questions
What owners ask us
Will the DPO obligation be dropped, and what does that mean for the value of my company?
Probably yes, with some lead time. The federal and state governments plan to remove Section 38 BDSG by 12/31/2026 (conference of state premiers, 12/04/2025). As of June 2026 there was no draft bill yet. Very small mandates below 20 people lose value. Mandates with GDPR obligations, an ISO role or a reporting channel remain valuable. That is how we value your mandate book.
Do you also buy occupational safety service providers with less than €5m revenue?
Yes. Our acquisition profile starts at €0.5m EBITDA. More important than size are at least 150 active client companies, a business based on term contracts and at least 5 qualified specialists.
How are you different from Arsipa or Customs Support?
The difference is the size of the target. Arsipa buys with Warburg Pincus behind it. Customs Support operates internationally. Both need large acquisitions. We buy companies with €0.5m to €5m EBITDA. With us, your company becomes the platform on which we build further add-ons.
Can I sell a customs agency if I only have 40 framework clients?
Yes. 50 framework clients is our guideline. Below that, we are happy to take a look if client loyalty is high. What matters is churn below 10%, the powers of attorney and whether your clerks hold the client relationships.
How long do I have to stay after the sale?
You decide. 6 to 24 months as interim managing director is common, often followed by an advisory board seat. For accreditations tied to you personally, we plan together how to build up a second authorized signatory.
What happens to my specialists?
All employment contracts remain in place. That is a condition of the purchase. The system takes over documentation and standard checks, your specialists check and approve. This sector is short of specialists. There is plenty of demand.
How quickly do I get an answer?
Usually within 72 hours after the first call. You get a written assessment with a value range, open questions and a proposal for next steps. If your company does not fit, we say so just as clearly.
Should I sell with an M&A advisor?
That is your decision. Many owners work with an advisor, and we are happy to work with them. A good advisor prepares documents and saves both sides time. If you come directly, the partners run the process themselves. In any case, you should bring in your own lawyer and tax advisor.
First step
Talk to a buyer who knows your sector
A 30-minute call is enough to know whether we fit. Afterwards you get a written assessment with reasons.
Request a confidential first call
Or call us: +49 40 89741812
ConfidentialOnly the three partners see your enquiry. An NDA is possible in advance on request. We share nothing with third parties.