Nov 9, 2026 · 19 min
Private equity’s fix-and-build playbook targets durable growth
Episode 1336: How to Double or Triple EBITDA with Eric Wiklendt
The conversation shows how operational discipline, management assessment, and communication can matter more than financial engineering when scaling industrial businesses.
- 1Speyside Equity targets manufacturing and value-added distribution businesses where operational improvements can materially expand EBITDA.
- 2Its fix-and-build model strengthens management, processes, operations, and communication before pursuing organic growth, partnerships, or acquisitions.
- 3The firm weighs human capital, reputation, and deal quality against the pressure to scale private equity assets and fees.
Don't miss
Eric explains why the firm fixes management, processes, and operations before attempting growth, partnerships, or acquisitions.
The brief
Eric Wiklendt brings CEO experience to private equity, arguing that people, execution, and company-specific systems create more investment value than spreadsheets or abstract strategy.
Speyside Equity focuses on manufacturing and value-added distribution businesses with $100 million to $500 million in revenue, targeting doubled or tripled EBITDA over five to seven years.
Its fix-and-build model first aligns management, rationalizes revenue, and optimizes operations; only then does it pursue organic growth, partnerships, and acquisitions.
The Human Capital Assessment Framework connects each value-creation plan to the people and capabilities needed to deliver its EBITDA and multiple-accretion goals.
Eric’s most revealing point is that transformation depends on constant communication and responsible growth, with reputation and deal quality taking priority over fund size.
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