The most sought-after craft businesses in French-speaking Switzerland
Introduction
The Swiss craft sector faces a dual challenge: the retirement of many owners and the growing difficulty of finding qualified successors. Yet, certain craft trades in French-speaking Switzerland generate marked interest amongst entrepreneurs seeking to acquire a business.
These craft businesses present concrete advantages: loyal clientele, recognised expertise, protective barriers to entry and stable local demand. In a context where 75,000 Swiss businesses will be transferred by 2030, craft trades represent a significant share of acquisition opportunities.
But not all craft trades are equal on the transfer market. Certain sectors concentrate buyers' attention thanks to their profitability, development potential and positioning on essential needs. This guide identifies the five categories of craft businesses most sought after in French-speaking Switzerland, with the concrete reasons for their attractiveness and the criteria to consider before taking the plunge.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Craft businesses in plumbing, electrical, joinery, bakery-pastry and body shops are amongst the most sought after in French-speaking Switzerland. These sectors combine stable demand, loyal clientele and protective barriers to entry. To identify these opportunities, specialised platforms such as Leez.ch offer transparent visibility on available businesses, with search tools by sector and region.
📚 Table of contents
Why craft trades attract buyers
Craft trades appeal to buyers for solid structural reasons. These businesses rely on concrete expertise, difficult to relocate or automate. The local clientele remains loyal, creating recurring and predictable revenues.
Barriers to entry protect these activities: mandatory certifications, specialised equipment, established reputation. Digital competition cannot replace the physical intervention of a plumber or electrician.
The demographic context amplifies the sector's attractiveness. 75,000 Swiss businesses will be transferred by 2030, a significant portion of which are in craft trades. Craft businesses often display stable profitability and attractive valuation multiples.
Plumbing and sanitary installations
Plumbing generates constant demand, with emergency interventions that ensure regular revenues. Clients include private individuals (B2C) and professionals: property management companies, building managers, construction firms (B2B).
The sector requires professional certifications, which limits competition and protects margins. Well-established plumbing craft businesses display solid profitability.
Valuation is generally based on EBITDA multiples between 3 and 5 times, depending on the quality of the client portfolio and the recurrence of maintenance contracts. Location and local reputation play a determining role in the attractiveness of the acquisition.
Electrical and home automation
The electrical sector is experiencing sustained growth thanks to the energy transition and the rise of home automation. Residential and commercial projects are multiplying, creating development opportunities.
Technical skills are highly sought after, particularly for installations of electric charging stations, solar panels and intelligent home automation systems. These new technologies offer attractive margins.
In French-speaking Switzerland, demand often exceeds the supply of qualified professionals. An electrical business with a portfolio of B2B clients (building managers, architects, developers) presents particularly interesting value for buyers seeking growth potential.
Joinery and cabinet-making
Joinery and cabinet-making embody highly valued craft expertise. These trades are distinguished by bespoke projects that escape industrial standardisation.
The clientele targets the high-end segment: demanding private individuals, architects, interior designers. This specialisation allows premium pricing and the building of client loyalty attached to quality.
Craft businesses in joinery often have a well-filled order book, sometimes spanning several months. The equipped workshop and reputation constitute tangible assets that facilitate transfer and reassure potential buyers.
Artisan bakery and pastry
The return to local and authentic products benefits artisan bakeries and pastry shops. Consumers seek quality and favour local businesses.
Location remains the crucial element: pedestrian traffic, visibility, parking. A good location in French-speaking Switzerland guarantees strong loyalty from the local clientele.
Working hours are demanding, but margins can be interesting. Development potential exists via catering, events or supplying restaurants. Established bakeries with regular clientele constitute sought-after acquisition opportunities, despite operational constraints.
Body shop and automotive mechanics
The Swiss vehicle fleet remains stable, ensuring constant demand for maintenance and repairs. Established garages often benefit from contracts with insurance companies and corporate fleets.
The shift towards electric vehicles requires adaptation of skills and equipment. This transition also creates opportunities for businesses that invest in training and appropriate tools.
Strategic location (easy access, visibility) and specialised equipment represent significant barriers to entry. Body shops with multiple insurance approvals and a premium location display attractive valuations on the transfer market.
How to find these opportunities
Leez offers a selection of craft businesses for acquisition in French-speaking Switzerland. The platform allows filtering by sector and canton to quickly identify opportunities matching your criteria.
Detailed listings present key financial information, positioning and development prospects. Each file respects appropriate confidentiality levels.
To properly evaluate these businesses, use the free valuation tool or consult our guide on valuation methods. The Leez expert network (fiduciaries, lawyers, M&A specialists) can support you in analysis and negotiation, without obligation.
Craft businesses today represent a solid opportunity for buyers in French-speaking Switzerland. Plumbing, electrical, joinery, bakery-pastry or body shop: these sectors combine stable demand, recognised expertise and concrete development potential.
The transfer of these trades requires a structured approach. Valuation must reflect tangible and intangible assets (clientele, reputation, equipment). Financing can rely on banking solutions adapted to craft SMEs. And support from the seller often remains a key success factor.
Are you looking for a craft business to acquire in French-speaking Switzerland? Explore the opportunities available on Leez.ch: plumbing, electrical, joinery and other craft trades. With a buyer subscription at 250 CHF/year, access detailed information and contact sellers directly. Do you have questions about valuation or the acquisition process? Our expert network can support you at every stage.
