Transfer of ownership from one business to another

Contact the previous business.

If you're referring to the activation lock, Apple will require the original purchase receipt; for units managed by Apple Configurator, the previous company can also turn it off that way.

If you're referring to MDM setups, only the previous company will be able to remove it.

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Apple stopped doing this at stores several years ago.

To me it doesn't look like you have ownership documentation that Apple will accept, namely the original receipt from Apple for the purchase of those devices. Other documentation cannot be verified by Apple to be authentic. Ideally those devices should have been reset by the employees if they had signed in with their accounts, or done by the previous business if they were using MDM. See also: 'Use MDM to manage Activation Lock and Lost Mode' on corporate and education devices

Use MDM to manage Activation Lock and Lost Mode - Apple Support

Refer to How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support Select the correct service you need in the bottom right. Select the lock removal service link for businesses at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/kbase There are only two ways to remove a lock:

#1 If you have the necessary information you or the signed in owner can do this yourself by simply signing in with the owner account and password information. If you use this method and this is a new device to you, follow unlocking by doing as outlined in What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support or What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support . If you do not have the required information then you can try method 2 —>

#2 Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Read the requirements and steps for an Activation Lock support request at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support and links at the bottom right for the type of service requested. Apple says they may require "proof of purchase documentation” and that you need “proof of ownership documentation”, but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” User reports on this community indicate that typically Apple will ONLY accept an original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Presumably this is the only kind Apple can authenticate against fraud since Apple is not involved in third party sales. Apple recommends that you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support

Apple never gets involved in third party sales for any claims of ownership of a device or validate claims of ownership through a third party receipt, and specifically Apple Accounts are not transferrable. It is the original owner of the devices that has the ability to reset the devices and that is who you would need to contact.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

It is the original owner of the devices that has the ability to reset the devices and that is who you would need to contact.

Well, technically I think it is the current owner as defined by whoever is presently signed into the device, or whoever has possession of the original receipts from Apple or an authorized dealer. If the locks were set by the business, contact that business. If the business was unwise enough to let its employees sign-in the sign devices individually, each employee would have to sign out.