In this episode, Domenic and Jim Piper discuss: 

• The organic growth and diversification of Matot, a fourth generation, woman-owned manufacturing company. 
• The process of acquisition with Matot and Kelair. 
• The research of and process of interviewing acquisition targets. 
• The integration process after acquiring Kelair.

Key Takeaways: 

• Research the market. Make sure there is a market there to be made. 
• Understand the motivation of the seller – The Sailboat Test. 
• Build a relationship with the seller, when a relationship is built, when the parties like and respect each other, the likelihood of getting something done goes way up. 
• Ensure your motivations are agreed upon at ownership and executive management level before you begin. Ensure your objectives are the same.  

"Having a good team in place, having trusted executive management in place, having owners that trust the process, having bankers that you’re comfortable working with ultimately made the deal possible." —  Jim Piper   About Jim Piper: Jim Piper, Executive Vice President - Jim joined Matot in 2014 as Executive Vice President and is responsible for maximizing the organization’s operating performance while achieving its financial goals.  Jim has responsibility for the engineering, manufacturing and sales divisions within Matot.  In addition, Jim is a member of the executive management team and is leading the long term strategic planning exercises that will guarantee growth and success for the next generation of family owners.   Prior to joining Matot, Jim worked in a variety of capacities at several global manufacturing companies in design, engineering, R&D, technical sales, engineering management and executive management roles.  He has worked for both U.S. and European based companies in domestic and overseas locations. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University.  Additionally, he completed advanced studies in Electrical Engineering at Lancaster University in the UK.  He currently lives in St. Charles with his family.   

Connect with Jim Piper: Website:  Matot: matot.com  Kelair Dampers: kelairdampers.com   LinkedIn: Matot: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matot/ Kelair Dampers: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kelair-products-inc/   Connect with Domenic Rinaldi: Sun Acquisitions Website: www.sunacquisitions.com M&A Unplugged Website: www.maunplugged.com Email: marketing@sunacquisitions.com   Linkedin:   Domenic Rinaldi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenicrinaldi/ Sun Acquisitions: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-acquisitions-llc/   Facebook: Sun Acquisitions: https://www.facebook.com/sunacquisitions/ M&A Unplugged: https://www.facebook.com/MAUnplugged/   Twitter: @SunAcquisitions https://twitter.com/SunAcquisitions @M_A_Unplugged https://twitter.com/M_A_Unplugged   Instagram: @sunacquisitions https://www.instagram.com/sunacquisitions/ @ma_unplugged_podcast https://www.instagram.com/ma_unplugged_podcast/   YouTube: Sun Acquisitions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6H7kkMD6nnXFuHgqx9Ikg      Show notes by Podcastologist: Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.