Calder Capital is proud to announce that the acquisition of Portland Products of Portland, MI, by Rick Slater and Ben Greve, backed by Sleeping Giant Capital of Kalamazoo, MI, has been named Crain’s Grand Rapids 2025 Deal of the Year in the Manufacturing category.
This prestigious recognition by Crain’s serves to highlight transactions that create significant impact across West Michigan’s business landscape. The award celebrates strategic vision, speed of execution, and community investment demonstrated by winning transactions.
Calder Capital’s Buy-Side team was proud to source Portland Products off-market for the buyers, offering the sellers ease and enabling the buyers to bypass competitive processes and work directly with the seller to develop a relationship and smooth transition. Calder Capital was especially proud to advise in this transaction, as it preserved local ownership. This transaction was executed with exceptional speed. Within two months of engaging Calder Capital, the buyers were under LOI, and the transaction closed in under five months total.
This is Calder Capital’s second consecutive year of recognition in the Crain’s Deal of the Year Awards, evidencing Calder’s ability to source and advise on quality deals.
Founded in 1947, Portland Products has built a reputation as a leading manufacturer of stampings and assemblies to the automotive, heavy truck and off-road industries. Located in Portland, MI, with over 100 employees, the company is also a proud recipient of the MSHARP Award, a prestigious safety and workplace quality distinction held by only six other companies in Michigan.
“We are honored to see the acquisition of Portland Products recognized as Crain’s Grand Rapids 2025 Manufacturing Deal of the Year,” stated Max Friar, Founder and Managing Partner of Calder Capital. “This recognition further cements our dedication to the manufacturing industry nationally.”
Max continued, “this award is a testament not only to the bold vision and execution of Rick Slater and Ben Greve but also to the tireless efforts of Calder’s exceptional Buy-Side team. I want to especially recognize Hannah Nabhan, Buy-Side Director, for her outstanding leadership on this transaction. Hannah led an aggressive and creative search process that generated 11 introductions to off-market sellers and ultimately connected Rick and Ben with Portland Products.”
Complete results for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business 2025 M&A Deals and Dealmakers Awards may be viewed at https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/banking-finance/ma-deals-and-dealmakers-awards-2025/.
