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/.
About Crain’s Grand Rapids
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business is a leading source of business news, analysis, and insights for professionals across West Michigan. Covering industries such as finance, healthcare, real estate, and manufacturing, Crain’s provides in-depth reporting on key economic trends, major deals, and influential leaders shaping the region’s business landscape. To learn more, visit www.crainsgrandrapids.com.
About Portland Products
Founded in 1947, Portland Products is a leading manufacturer of precision metal components for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Portland, Michigan, the company operates three facilities and employs over 100 individuals. Portland Products specializes in supplying interior metal components to Tier 2 and Tier 3 automotive suppliers, including industry leaders such as Magna and Faurecia. The company has been recognized for its commitment to safety and operational excellence, earning the MSHARP Award, a distinction held by only a select group of manufacturers in Michigan. To learn more, please visit www.portlandproducts.net.
About Sleeping Giant Capital
Sleeping Giant Capital is a Kalamazoo, Michigan-based investment firm focused on acquiring and operating lower middle market businesses in Michigan. Founded with a mission to provide opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurial operators, Sleeping Giant Capital partners with talented individuals to acquire stable, cash-flowing businesses poised for growth. The firm specializes in long-term value creation through operational excellence, strategic investment, and fostering local leadership. To learn more, please visit www.sleepinggiantcapital.com.
About Calder Capital
Founded in 2013, Calder Capital is a lower middle-market investment bank providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services to business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, and investors across the United States. Our dedicated team of professionals combines extensive industry experience, technological innovation, negotiation savvy, and key relationships to exhibit exceptional execution. Calder’s services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and business valuations. To learn more, please visit https://www.caldergr.com/.