Seeking an manufacturing business to acquire, preserve, and grow for the long term.
Introduction
Hi, I’m Austin Shaffer, the sole principal of Blue Jay Industry. I am searching for one small US-based manufacturing business to acquire, preserve, and grow.
Thesis
I formed Blue Jay Industry to invest in U.S.-based manufacturing.This is not a fleeting interest for me. I am building my career within manufacturing, and a small acquisition is the next step in my journey. I love the business, processes, and people of the industry. I anticipate the opportunity to purchase the right business with both seriousness and excitement!New technology is making operational excellence more accessible to small businesses. Geopolitical tension, war, and post-pandemic lessons have reinforced the need for more supply chain control. Government incentives and private investment, from traditional fabrication to advanced chip manufacturing and everything in between, suggest meaningful long-term tailwinds for U.S.-based production.Manufacturing is an ecosystem. It relies on innumerable niche, supportive processes, from production processes, to finishing operations, to assembly, inspection and packaging. With the right strategy and leadership, I believe that the small businesses filling these niches have great opportunity in coming years for both organic growth and increased market share as the domestic macro industry develops and expands.
Acquisition Criteria
I am seeking one US-based business with internal manufacturing capability, and where owners are prepared for near-term transition.I am open to a range of manufacturing segments, including metals, plastics, composites, wood, or other materials. Target capabilities may include fabrication, machining, molding, finishing, assembly, or related production processes. I am also open to both manufacturing-as-a-service and niche product-based business models.
General Target Profile
The following criteria are directional, not strict:
Production: Meaningful in-house production capability - Machines, skilled employees, established processes.
Size: Approximately $500k–$1M in SDE, EBITDA, or owner cash flow
Team: Roughly 5-15+ employees
Customers: Repeat demand and limited single-customer concentration
Geography: Located within the continental United States
Financing
My lender and investors are ready to support a serious acquisition and bring the necessary capital to closing.Notably, I am seeking sellers who are willing to carry a meaningful seller note as part of the transaction. I value seller financing as a funding instrument for the alignment it creates between buyer and seller.
Timing
I am currently searching full time. I have an advisor team, source of funds, and a diligence process in place. I am ready to close immediately upon finding the right opportunity.
Early Post-Acquisition
The first priority after the acquisition is to maintain stability. I will vigorously learn the operations and industry, gain trust with the incumbent team, and fight to maintain beneficial pre-existing contracts and relationships.
Long-term Plans
Regardless of the business that I buy or the industry that it serves, I aim to build something increasingly meaningful over time:
Familial: A top priority for me is for employees to be safe, healthy, and dignified by their work. Similarly, customers, suppliers, and partners each deserve respect and love. I'll build toward this environment every day.
Lean: I'll implement and safeguard a lean culture over time. We will respect people, reduce waste, deliver value, and chase perfection.
Constructive: I aim to engage in the production of products that are inherently constructive to society, rather than destructive.
Growing: Whether through organic growth, market share, or new innovation, I aim to position the business to grow substantially in the mid-to-long-term. It will be a great honor to provide advancement, make returns, be involved in the community, and share the success across all stakeholders.