Three out of four business owners expect to sell their businesses within three years, according to a September survey by GW Equity and the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management.

Most - 57% of the 200 owners queried - are motivated by age. The survey, which also asked about merger and acquisition plans, included companies with revenue from $1 million to $150 million.

Reflecting the booming market in private company sales, 82% of the owners said they had been approached recently about selling their companies.

Los Angeles Times. Program to Train Factory Workers, by Cyndia Zwahlen; September 27, 2006.