In this episode, Benj talks with Jeff McLendon, CEO and President of Specialty Building Products, about how he scaled the company from $500 million to $4 billion by pairing intentional acquisitions with disciplined organic growth. He unpacks how the two strategies fuel each other and why the operations and people side of acquisitions are just as critical as the financials.

Sharing several examples, Jeff breaks down what makes a good acquisition — not just on paper, but in practice. He shares his advice for evaluating potential targets and tips for where to find the best deals.

The conversation also dives into the technical and operational side of acquisitions, including the best practices SBP uses to ensure smooth integrations—and how they’ve become an acquirer of choice in the market.

Whether you’re already pursuing M&A or just thinking about how to grow faster and smarter, Jeff offers a clear, candid playbook.