Independent Sponsor Earnout Structures in Logistics & Distribution
Structuring Earnout Structures on logistics and distribution deals, with the structure protection and capital connectivity an independent sponsor actually needs.
Every logistics and distribution acquisition has its own gravity. Earnout Structures is the workstream where independent sponsor counsel earns the seat.
The typical logistics and distribution platform sits at $12M to $140M EV with EBITDA in the $3M to $22M range. The thesis runs on regional acquisitions of brokerages, 3PLs, and last-mile operators. Fuel-volatile years make for clean entry multiples. Read the math, not the narrative.
How Earnout Structures actually gets structured.
Tie the earnout to gross profit or contribution margin, not revenue, to avoid sandbagging.
Cap the earnout window at 24 months. Anything longer is a litigation risk.
Build acceleration on a change of control or buyer-driven operational change.
Name an arbitrator and the accounting standard in the agreement.
In logistics and distribution, layer in earnout indexed to gross margin, not revenue as part of the Earnout Structures workstream.
Drafting the earnout in three paragraphs. Earnouts are the second-most-litigated provision in M&A.
"If the earnout could be measured by a teenager with a spreadsheet, you wrote it well."Jason Powell · Earnout Structures
The deal is one thing. The capital that opens up after close is another.
Capital after close is where the IRR actually gets made. The right introductions at month nine through month thirty are where this practice works as hard as it does at the LOI.
Related deal pages.
LOI Negotiation for Logistics & Distribution
The 4 to 8 page agreement that frames the deal economics, exclusivity, and diligence period.
Independent Sponsor Economics for Logistics & Distribution
The package of deal-by-deal carry, management fees, and transaction fees that compensates the independent spo…
Management Fee Structuring for Logistics & Distribution
The annual fee paid by the deal entity to the independent sponsor for ongoing oversight, board service, and p…
Equity Rollover for Logistics & Distribution
The portion of seller proceeds reinvested into the post-close entity, aligning seller with buyer.
Earnout Structures for Healthcare Services
roll-up of physician practices and ancillary service lines
Earnout Structures for Home Services
regional roll-ups of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical operators
Bring the logistics and distribution deal. Get Earnout Structures done right.
Direct counsel from a securities and M&A attorney with billions in structured transactions, the independent-sponsor-native playbook, and the capital markets network that opens up post-close.