Manufacturing is quietly becoming one of the most attractive sectors for private equity—and many business owners don’t realize the opportunity sitting right in front of them. In this episode of Build It to Billions, Brett Swarts sits down with Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at Speyside Equity, to explore why industrial and manufacturing companies are commanding increased attention from investors, how operational improvements can dramatically increase enterprise value, and what owners should do today to prepare for a successful exit.
Eric shares insights from decades of experience as both an operator and private equity leader, revealing what sophisticated buyers look for, the common mistakes that reduce valuations, and how founders can position their businesses for long-term growth. Whether you’re a manufacturing business owner, investor, or entrepreneur planning an eventual exit, this conversation offers practical strategies for building a more valuable company while creating greater financial freedom and lasting wealth.
Episode Highlights Here:
Brett
Before we jump into this episode, I would invite you to join our community to help you become a better steward, scale to billions, and ultimately give more or all of it away. All I want you to do is to click the subscribe button right now. I love your support, it’s incredible to see your comments, and we’re just getting started. I can’t wait to go on this journey with you. Thank you so much for subscribing. It means the world to me. Welcome to the Build Itsy Billions podcast, where we guide successful entrepreneurs and investors on their journey from millions to billions. We believe the key to scaling and compounding your wealth in life starts every single day with the mindset and practice of stewardship over ownership and applying billionaire biblical principles. Our ultimate goal is to be scale and compound your wealth and life, so you can give more of all the way to help MVPs. My name is Brett Swarts. Each and every episode, we’re joined by the world’s top entrepreneurs, millionaires, or billionaires, and they share their secrets and insights with us, so we can all level up and make a bigger impact. I’m excited about our next guest. He’s the managing director at Space Side Equity, where he’s responsible for sourcing, executing, and managing in and exiting investments. He has previously held senior leadership and operational roles, and he’s currently serving as on the boards of several portfolio companies. Before joining Space Side Equity, he was president and CEO of Keeluks Heat Transfer Systems, and prior to that, he held roles at Eaton and Hilty Corporation, where he oversaw M and A activities, and so much more. Please welcome to the show with me, Eric Wiklendt Eric, how we doing?
Eric
I’m doing well, sir. Thanks a lot, Brett, for having me on. So, you’re probably aware, based on the title of your podcast, More Money, More Problems, but also more attorneys. So, just a quick disclaimer here for me: all expressions of opinion provided in this podcast are subject to change with notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. There is no assurance that the trends highlighted in this past podcast will occur in the future, or that the projections, if any, will be met. Thank you for indulging the request to
Brett
say that’s no problem. And Eric, for our listeners, can you know for the first time, would you give us a little bit more about your story and your current focus?
Eric
Yeah, absolutely. Thanks a lot, Brett. So, I grew up in the Detroit area, and I’ve been at Space Side, though, the last 15 years. But after growing up in the Detroit area, I went to school at Notre Dame, graduated from there, then came back to Detroit as a consultant, did a lot of consulting, some bigger companies, you know, that you would have heard of, especially in the automotive industry, and then a lot of smaller middle market businesses, and I really liked that, and that made me decide I wanted to either be a CEO or an investor in manufacturing businesses, ended up achieving both by way of going back to graduate school out east, and then worked in a couple different manufacturing companies, Eaton Corporation, Hilty Corporation. Ultimately became CEO of Kalix Sea Transfer Systems, which was a small startup business that we grew, and then sold that off about 15 years ago, and joined Space Side Equity, where I’ve been ever since, and Space Out Equity is a very entrepreneurial oriented private equity firm, so we do LBOs, but we’re doing it in lower middle market manufacturing businesses, 50 million to $500 million in revenue, and always looking for exciting entrepreneurial ways to grow the business,
Brett
excellent, and this is really interesting to talk about what Spaceside Equity is doing, and acquisition solutions, business transformations. Can you maybe give a little bit about what you guys are doing now, and then what you’re seeing in the marketplace?
Eric
Yeah, absolutely, so the reason why that’s our slogan is because there’s kind of two parts of ourgame. One part is structuring, that’s the acquisition solutions part, and then we do a lot oftransformations, so that’s all about the, you know, solutions relative to transformations andwhatnot, so for us, you know, we’re willing to do deals where it may be, you know, somewhatchallenging to get a deal done, or there it may require a lot of structuring, there may be thingsinvolved, like assume liabilities or seller needs, or whatever, that’s all about structuring, andthen for us, our strategy, we call it a fix and build strategy, and usually you’re buyingbusinesses that need some sort of transformation, and that’s usually the fixed part to improveit or make it a scalable platform. And then the second part, or the phase two part, is the buildpart, which is growing the top line. So, part one, we tend to improve the EBITDA margins inphase one, operational focus, and then phase two is the build part, where we do bolt-on acquisitions and launch new products and enter new markets, and all that good stuff, and that’s where we grow the top line.
Brett
Excellent. And what, what type of investments now are with AI and everything that’s happeningin the world? How is that changing, and what makes it, you know, what are the ones most? So, if you like this little, short clip of the interview I just did, click over here to watch the full interview, and please don’t forget to subscribe. Thanks so much, everybody
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About Eric Wiklendt
Eric Wiklendt is the Managing Director of Speyside Equity, a middle-market private equity firm focused on acquiring and transforming manufacturing, industrial, and value-added distribution businesses. With decades of experience leading acquisitions, operational turnarounds, and value creation initiatives, Eric works closely with management teams to help businesses grow, improve profitability, and maximize enterprise value.
Before joining Speyside Equity, Eric served as President and CEO of Kelix Heat Transfer Systems and held leadership roles with Eaton Corporation and Hilti Corporation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Combining hands-on operating experience with private equity expertise, Eric brings a practical perspective on business growth, acquisitions, and preparing companies for successful exits.
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