Magnus Business Group Research
Advisory Approach
Magnus Business Group is a boutique Los Angeles-based business brokerage and M&A advisory firm founded by Lutz Lehann in 2016. The firm operates with a clear thesis: successful business exits require preparation, professional buyer outreach, and hands-on deal management. Lehmann brings over 30 years of international business experience, including mechanical engineering background and executive MBA teaching in Europe, which gives him unique credibility with manufacturing and industrial business owners.
The firm believes that many business owners enter the sales process poorly prepared—with unrealistic expectations, weak financials, and limited buyer pools. They cite industry data showing only 20% of listed companies find buyers, and position their services as the critical difference between failed and successful exits.
Sector Focus
Magnus Business Group serves the lower middle market across Southern California, with particular depth in:
Manufacturing: Precision machining, contract manufacturing, industrial equipment, and automotive components. Lehmann's mechanical engineering background and 30+ years in international manufacturing give him deep credibility with industrial business owners. He understands plant-level operations, quality certifications (AS9100, ISO), and technical buyers.
Distribution & Logistics: Wholesale distributors, logistics providers, and supply chain businesses. The firm has experience with businesses managing complex inventory, multi-location operations, and B2B customer relationships.
Business Services: Professional services firms, healthcare practices, and B2B service companies with recurring revenue models. These businesses require nuanced valuation approaches and buyer education.
Technology & Industrial Services: Industrial software, technical services, and specialized B2B companies. The firm understands how to value intangible assets, customer relationships, and technical IP.
While they serve other industries on a case-by-case basis, their core expertise is in businesses where operational complexity creates valuation opacity—situations where Lehmann's engineering and operations background provides unique value.
Deal Track Record
Magnus Business Group maintains a disciplined approach to deal announcements. They list 2 closed transactions on Axial (specific deals are anonymous per platform conventions). The firm's website features testimonials from satisfied clients, including:
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A 23-year-old manufacturing company (Rincon Engineering Corporation) sold by retiring brothers who praised Lehmann's "mechanical engineering background and understanding of manufacturing" as instrumental in finding qualified buyers who could continue their family legacy.
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Exel Pak, a private-label food packaging business acquired by Jenara Group Inc. (Note: This transaction was also listed by Keystone Business Advisors, suggesting potential co-advisory or referral relationship).
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Advanced Measurement Machines, where Bipin M. praised Lehmann for providing "real value" as a buyer representative and looked forward to working with him on future transactions.
The firm focuses on quality over quantity in deal reporting. They emphasize that they have "sold many businesses" and "focus all resources in one direction only: to complete a successful transaction." Their approach prioritizes deal quality and client satisfaction over volume metrics.
Process & Fee Structure
Magnus Business Group follows a structured 7-step process:
- Valuation: Precise market value assessment to set realistic asking prices
- Marketing Materials: Confidential Business Review (CBR) or Information Memorandum (CIM) with targeted buyer strategies
- Confidential Marketing: Strategic outreach to qualified buyers through curated databases
- Buyer Qualification: Pre-screening to ensure only serious prospects advance
- Introduction & Negotiation: Managing offer terms, pricing, and conditions
- Due Diligence Support: Preparing documentation and answering buyer questions
- Closing & Transition: Guiding legal, financial, and operational transfer
Typical engagement timeline: 6-9 months from engagement to close.
Fee Structure: The firm uses industry-standard success fee models, likely modified Lehman or similar percentage-based structures on total enterprise value. They require upfront retainers for engagement (credited against success fees) to ensure client commitment and cover initial marketing and valuation work. Exact fee ranges are not published publicly, consistent with industry practice of customizing structures based on deal complexity and size.
Buyer Network
Magnus Business Group maintains relationships across buyer types:
Private Equity Groups: Lower middle market PEs, search funds, and family offices acquiring businesses in the $5M-$50M TEV range
Strategic Buyers: Industry consolidators, competitors, and suppliers seeking geographic expansion or product line additions
Individual Buyers: High-net-worth individuals, executives, and entrepreneurs seeking acquisitions
International Buyers: Given Lehmann's European background and language skills (German bilingual), the firm can facilitate cross-border transactions
The firm is an active participant on Axial, the lower middle market deal platform, which provides access to 2,000+ vetted financial and strategic buyers. This platform membership significantly expands their reach beyond proprietary relationships.
Competitive Positioning
Magnus Business Group differentiates through:
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Technical Credibility: Lehmann's mechanical engineering background, international manufacturing experience, and operations understanding resonates with industrial business owners who feel misunderstood by generalist advisors
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Exit Planning Discipline: As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Lehmann emphasizes preparation work—cleaning financials, building management teams, reducing owner dependency—before going to market. This increases valuation and close probability
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Hands-On Process: Small team structure ensures clients work directly with senior principals, not junior associates. The firm's testimonials consistently mention Lehmann's personal involvement, patience, and accessibility
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International Perspective: 30+ years of global business experience and European connections provide access to international buyers and understanding of cross-border transactions
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Thought Leadership: Lehmann publishes regularly on exit planning topics ("Why Boomers Are Stalling on Selling," "4 Steps To Finding Your Company's Sell-By Date") and teaches executive MBA students, demonstrating deep engagement with exit planning as a discipline
Not a Fit If
Magnus Business Group typically declines:
- Businesses below $5M in revenue or $500K EBITDA
- Startups or pre-revenue companies
- Businesses requiring immediate liquidation or fire sales
- Distressed assets or turnarounds outside their expertise
- Clients wanting limited processes or bypassing buyer qualification
- Industries where they lack depth (e.g., highly regulated sectors like healthcare without proper expertise)
Team
Lutz Lehmann, CEPA, CM&AP, M&AMI, CBI – Founder & President 30+ years international experience in business consulting, development, strategic exit planning, and M&A. Mechanical engineering background with executive MBA teaching experience in Austria. Since 2016, focused solely on business exit planning and sales. Multiple certifications including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA #2273), Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP), and Certified Business Intermediary (CBI). Fluent in English and German.
Karin Lehmann – Vice President Manages marketing and operations, offers exit readiness coaching, and serves as primary client contact. Responsible for firm's marketing initiatives and day-to-day client communication.
Felix Lehmann – Analyst Finance professional specializing in business valuation, growth strategies, and transaction analysis. Supports deal diligence and financial modeling.
The firm operates as a lean, focused team—approximately 3-5 professionals total—ensuring clients work directly with senior principals rather than being handed off to junior staff.
Geographic Coverage
Primary Market: Greater Los Angeles area including Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Westlake Village, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale, Orange County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County.
Secondary Markets: California statewide engagements for exceptional fit businesses.
International: Cross-border transaction capability through Lehmann's European background, language skills (German fluent), and international business network. While most transactions are domestic, the firm can facilitate sales to European buyers or assist with U.S. expansion for international clients.
Office: 30961 Agoura Road, Suite 225, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Additional Context
Magnus Business Group operates at the intersection of business brokerage and investment banking—serving lower middle market companies that are too large for main street business brokers but too small for mid-market investment banks. This segment ($5M-$100M revenue) is underserved, with many firms either lacking sophistication for complex deals or being too expensive for smaller businesses.
The firm's positioning emphasizes trust, patience, and education. Their testimonials consistently mention Lehmann's "patience," "integrity," and "ability to explain aspects beyond our expertise." This suggests a client-centric, consultative approach rather than a transactional, volume-driven model.
Membership in M&A Source, IBBA, and CABB indicates commitment to professional standards and industry best practices. The California DRE license (#02013887) ensures compliance with state real estate regulations applicable to business asset sales.
As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age—with millions of business owners planning exits over the next five years—Magnus Business Group is positioned to help owners navigate what is often the largest financial transaction of their lives. Their emphasis on exit planning discipline, technical credibility with industrial businesses, and hands-on process makes them a strong fit for founder-owned manufacturing, distribution, and business services companies in Southern California seeking maximized valuation and successful closing.