3PL Business Valuation
3PL & Logistics Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Logistics Company Owners
We built one platform that tracks your 3PL company's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most 3PL Company Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) Valuation Multiples (2026)
3PL valuations are strong due to e-commerce growth and supply chain focus. Here's the market:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives 3PL Value
Your operational excellence matters, but sophisticated buyers evaluate these factors that determine premium pricing:
Customer Diversification
No Customer > 20% Revenue
What happens if your biggest customer leaves or goes bankrupt? Customer concentration is the number one risk factor in 3PL. Companies with diversified customer bases—no single account exceeding 20% of revenue—command premium valuations. Start diversifying now; it takes time.
Concentrated = dangerous dependency
Warehouse Capacity
Owned or Long-Term Lease
Warehouse space is your primary asset. Owned facilities or long-term leases with favorable terms provide stability. Short-term leases create uncertainty. Understanding your real estate position—owned vs leased, lease terms, expansion options—is critical for valuation.
Short lease = uncertainty
Technology Platform
Modern WMS, Integration Capability
Warehouse management systems (WMS) and technology integration capability differentiate modern 3PLs. Customers expect real-time visibility, e-commerce platform integration, and automated processes. Modern technology demonstrates operational sophistication; dated systems may require investment.
Paper-based = operational gap
Service Capabilities
Full Service: Receiving to Shipping
Full-service 3PLs handle receiving, storage, pick/pack, kitting, value-added services, and shipping. Comprehensive capability captures more revenue per customer. Limited services mean customers need multiple providers or you're referring work elsewhere.
Storage-only = limited value
E-commerce Focus
D2C Fulfillment Capability
E-commerce fulfillment—direct-to-consumer shipping with high SKU counts, small order sizes, and peak season capacity—is the growth driver. 3PLs with e-commerce capability attract the most buyer interest. B2B-only operations may have more limited acquirer pools.
No e-commerce = growth limits
Geographic Position
Strategic Location(s)
Location matters for logistics—proximity to ports, major highways, and population centers affects shipping costs and service levels. Strategic locations that serve regional or national distribution are valuable. Understanding your geographic advantages helps position for sale.
Poor location = competitive disadvantage
How to Value a 3PL Business
The U.S. third-party logistics market includes thousands of providers generating over $250 billion in combined revenue. 3PLs provide warehousing, fulfillment, transportation management, and supply chain services for companies that outsource logistics operations.
EBITDA is the standard valuation method. 3PL businesses typically sell for 4.0x to 8.0x EBITDA, with asset-light models (brokerage-focused) at the lower end and asset-based models (owned warehouses, truck fleets) spanning a wider range depending on asset quality.
Revenue multiples generally range from 0.30x to 0.80x annual revenue. 3PLs with long-term warehouse management contracts and e-commerce fulfillment capabilities achieve the upper end.
The unique valuation factor for 3PLs is the contract structure, client diversification, and warehouse utilization. Long-term contracts (3-5 years) with volume commitments provide revenue predictability. Client diversification reduces concentration risk. Warehouse utilization rates — the percentage of warehouse capacity generating revenue — directly impact profitability. 3PLs with e-commerce fulfillment capabilities, cold chain infrastructure, or specialized handling (hazmat, high-value, pharmaceutical) serve growing market segments and face less price competition.
3PL M&A has been extremely active as supply chain complexity drives outsourcing demand. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do 3PL companies sell for?
3PLs typically sell for 4.0x – 7.0x SDE or 6x – 12x EBITDA. Companies with diversified customers, modern technology, and e-commerce capability command premium multiples.
How does customer concentration affect 3PL value?
Dramatically. Customer concentration is the number one risk factor. No single customer should exceed 20% of revenue. Diversification takes time—start early.
Who buys 3PL companies?
PE-backed logistics platforms (very active), national 3PLs seeking regional presence, e-commerce fulfillment networks, and strategic buyers building supply chain capability.
Does technology affect 3PL value?
Significantly. Modern WMS and integration capability are expected by sophisticated customers. Technology demonstrates operational maturity.
How important is e-commerce capability?
Increasingly important. E-commerce fulfillment is the growth driver. 3PLs with D2C capability attract the most buyer interest.
What's the fastest way to increase my 3PL value?
Three high-impact moves: 1) Reduce customer concentration through diversification, 2) Invest in modern WMS and technology, 3) Build e-commerce fulfillment capability.