250,000 items of equipment, 30 inspectors, three in documentation
Recording eats up the margin. You want to sell, just not to a group that turns your people into numbers.
Does this sound familiar?
Two situations we know
Repeat clients, no contracts
Your clients come back every year, but without a framework contract. You need someone who turns that into contracts.
Your day-to-day, as we know it
This is what happens in your business before anyone talks about succession
Missing equipment
At the repeat appointment, a third of the equipment cannot be found or is new. The test list is out of date.
Readings and test label
Protective conductor resistance, insulation resistance and leakage current are measured quickly. Assigning them cleanly in the database takes time.
Defect list with no response
The client gets the defect list and does not respond. At the next test, the same equipment is on it again.
The client's test intervals
Many clients have no risk assessment. They expect you to set the interval, even though the employer must define it.
How we measure your company
The metrics we look at in the first call
We look at the numbers you use to run your business yourself. The right column shows our acquisition criterion.
| Metric | What it tells us | Our benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Number of qualified persons in the testing service | Whether your capacity holds without the owner. | We look for at least ten inspectors. |
| Repeat rate of testing clients | How loyally your clients return for the next test date. | The higher, the better. |
| Items tested per inspector day | How well routes and preparation work. | We look at the development over three years. |
| Share of clients with a digital test database | Whether the history of each device is available without paper. | We expect a fully digital test database. |
| Revenue mix portable, fixed, machines | How broad your qualifications are. | Good with shares in more than one area. |
What actually changes after the acquisition
Step by step
We automate the desk work. Professional decisions and customer contact stay with your people.
TodayTransfer test data from the appliance tester into the test database and reconcile it
With GTPImport and comparison with the previous year run automatically. The inspector only resolves discrepancies.
TodayCreate test reports and defect lists for the client
With GTPReport and defect list are generated directly from the readings. The specialist checks the assessment.
TodayTrack test deadlines per client and offer appointments
With GTPClients who are due are contacted automatically. The dispatcher checks the route planning.
TodayFollow up on open defects
With GTPReminders about open defects go out automatically. Your employee discusses the repair quote.
Your systems stay in use:Gossen Metrawatt IZYTRONIQGossen Metrawatt SECUTESTBenning appliance testersFluke test equipment
AI potential in the segment
How much desk work can really be automated here
This is GTP's assessment. We show it upfront so you can see what we will work with after the acquisition.
Reports without retyping
Measuring devices send values to the test lists via an interface, and a language model writes the defect descriptions.
Deadlines and scheduling
A model plans repeat tests by site type and bundles locations into full test days.
Quote from the asset list
The system calculates test days, price and framework contract automatically from the client's inventory list.
What limits the technology here
The measurement remains manual work by the qualified person, and after an accident only the signed report counts.
What this means for you
Your inspectors stay in the field, and the documentation roles get relief.
Sources DGUV Regulation 3: electrical installations and equipment, with test intervals under Annex 1 (2012)
What we want to see
The documents we need
After the first call and the non-disclosure agreement, these five documents are enough for a solid offer.
- Client list with test cycle, number of devices and repeat business over the last three years
- Export of the test database with the number of items tested per year
- Qualification certificates of the qualified persons and electricians
- Calibration records of the test equipment
- Sample test report under DIN VDE 0701/0702 with defect list
What we buy
Our acquisition profile for this segment
Criteria
- 10 or more field inspectors
- High repeat rate
- EBITDA €0.5m to €5m
- Digital test database
Value drivers
- Framework contracts with industry and the public sector
- Testing software with a client portal
- Inspectors on the team are qualified electricians, no appointment required
Value reducers
- Prices below facility management level
- One client above 30%
- Reports completed by hand afterwards
How you can tell we know your business
Three facts you can quote
- 01DGUV Regulation 3 requires testing of portable equipment every 6 months to 4 years and of fixed installations every 4 years (TRBS 1201).
- 02The German TIC market was USD 24.13bn in 2025. The five largest players hold 62%, the rest is SMEs (Mordor Intelligence 2025).
- 03About 3.4 million companies with employees must test (assumption based on the Destatis business register).
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.
All market data and the regulatory timeline for testing and experts
Frequently asked questions
What owners in this segment ask
Is electrical testing too fragmented?
The ticket per test is small, the volume is large. Value comes from the repeat rate and documentation costs. We measure both.
How do you deal with Piepenbrock and Apleona?
We compete through lower documentation costs and a client portal. The system writes the report, the inspector checks it.
Do my inspectors need an official appointment?
No. A qualified electrician is enough. That is why the segment depends less on individuals than certified inspection experts do.
How fast?
Response usually within 72 h, indicative offer in 2 to 4 weeks, closing usually in 6 to 9 months.
Testing and experts
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Why we buy this segment
Your clients trust inspectors with a name and recognition. That is why we only buy if the team stays and the next generation already works in the business.
We first look at who will sign in five years. If that is only the owner, we tell you before any price discussion.
For M&A advisors, tax advisors and succession advisors
Response on your client usually within 72 hours
Acquisition profile, teaser metrics and our commitments for all 24 segments are on a separate page. We only approach your client through you.
First step
Talk to a buyer who knows your segment
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
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