How Entrepreneurs And Leaders Can Thrive In Buy & Build Groups

Forbes

7 hours ago

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Construction workers replace the aluminium panels on London's ... More Millennium Bridge.
Many entrepreneurs build their companies on grit, deep customer relationships, and a reputation earned over decades. But at a certain point, even great businesses hit a ceiling — not for lack of skill, but for lack of structure, support, or strategic bandwidth.
That's where a well-designed group structure can make all the difference.
Over the last thirty years, and especially recently, Sweden has seen the rise of industrial groups and serial acquirers that specialize in long-term ownership of smaller, niche companies, often within b2b services. These groups aren't about stripping out costs or imposing corporate red tape. Done right, they unlock real value — not by changing what works, but by amplifying it.
These companies are typically B2B and profitable with an EBITDA in the range of $1-3m. Here's how they often become more effective, more resilient, and more valuable when they're part of something bigger:
Most owners wear too many hats: CEO, sales manager, CFO, sometimes even IT support. That works — until it doesn't. Growth stalls, key decisions are delayed, and the founder becomes a bottleneck instead of a catalyst.
In a group setting, certain support functions — finance, HR, digital systems — can be shared. This lightens the load on local management, allowing them to focus on what actually drives growth: customer delivery, sales performance, and long-term strategy.
The company doesn't become less entrepreneurial. It becomes more focused.
Running a B2B services or industrial company day-to-day is intense. There's often little time to zoom out and ask the bigger questions: What markets should we expand into? How do we price better? Are we structured for scale?
Being part of a group means having experienced sparring partners who know your space and can help challenge assumptions. Not with generic slide decks — but with grounded, operationally-informed feedback. It's strategy support, not strategy imposition.
Whether it's insurance, software licenses, or raw materials, many small companies end up overpaying or under-leveraged simply because they lack scale. In a group, companies can benefit from group-level procurement and shared contracts, improving margins without changing the customer offer.
The same goes for financing: better access to credit, more attractive terms, and less exposure to individual business risk.
In short, the company gets big-company muscle without the bureaucracy.
A help wanted sign along Middle Country Road in Selden. (Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via ... More Getty Images)
Smaller companies often struggle to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Career paths are limited. Training is ad hoc. Leadership is informal.
But in a group setting, new opportunities open up:
Rather than poaching staff, the group becomes a magnet for ambitious professionals who want responsibility and support.
For many entrepreneurs, long-term stability matters just as much as growth. They want to know that their company — and their people — will thrive no matter what the market throws at them.
A well-structured group offers resilience:
This doesn't mean giving up control. It means gaining partners who can help secure the business for the next generation.
There's a common fear that joining a group means losing an identity. In the best setups, the opposite is true. The core business stays intact — but gains new tools, stronger systems, and a wider runway for growth.
For owners of B2B services and industrial companies who care deeply about their customers, teams, and legacy, the right group isn't an end. It's a beginning — one that turns operational excellence into long-term strategic advantage.