James DeCarlo Schnepper is a visionary executive with over thirty years of expertise in the building materials industry, recognized for his strategic acumen and a profound commitment to integrating profit with purpose. Currently serving on the Advisory Board of Standard Industries, a global leader i…
James DeCarlo Schnepper is a visionary executive with over thirty years of expertise in the building materials industry, recognized for his strategic acumen and a profound commitment to integrating profit with purpose. Currently serving on the Advisory Board of Standard Industries, a global leader in the industrial sector, Jim brings invaluable insights that significantly enhance the firm’s market presence and innovation trajectory.
Throughout his career, notably as the CEO and President of GAF, North America’s largest manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing solutions, Jim spearheaded dramatic growth, doubling the company's revenue within five years. During his leadership, EBITDA followed the same rise, a testament to his strategic prowess, innovation as a catalyst for growth and ability to drive substantial financial growth.
Jim’s tenure at GAF was marked by his forward-thinking strategies that not only prioritized innovation and quality but also positioned the company as a pioneer in sustainability and community engagement. He was instrumental in launching GAF’s employee resource groups, initiating groundbreaking recycling technologies for post-consumer asphalt shingles which also led to a new protected product category, and establishing StreetBond—a strategic business unit dedicated to combating urban heat islands.
Under Jim's leadership, these initiatives did not merely serve as compliance or goodwill gestures but were integral to the company's core profit-making strategies. This approach has redefined the traditional business model, proving that social responsibility and financial performance can drive and sustain one another.
Jim's leadership philosophy champions the idea that true success is not solely measured by financial achievements but also by the positive impact a business has on society. His record of marrying financial success with impactful societal contributions makes him an ideal leader for businesses looking to create a lasting legacy in today's competitive and socially-conscious market.
As a candidate for investment opportunities, Jim offers not just a proven track record of exceptional financial returns, but also a forward-thinking model of leadership that aligns innovation with sustainable growth. His expertise in transformative strategies and vertical integration projects, particularly in environmentally responsible manufacturing, makes him a prime candidate for leading ventures that require astute operational and strategic direction.
Investment criteria; Acquisition Mandate – Building-Materials Platform
(Confidential Buyer Profile | Prepared for Intermediaries & Prospective Sellers)
1 ▸ Target Snapshot
Metric
Threshold
Revenue
US $10 – 25 million (LTM)
EBITDA Margin
11 – 15 % (or clear path within 12-18 mos)
Sector
Building-materials manufacturing across all product verticals that sell primarily via wholesale distribution or online direct-to-contractor / end-user
Geography
Plants or HQ in the Midwest, Northeast, or Southeast United States as well as Canada and the UK
2 ▸ Ideal Target Attributes
- Defensible niche: proprietary formulation, process IP, or entrenched regional share
- Customer concentration < 25 % with minimal channel conflict
- Asset base capable of bolt-on or regional roll-out (multi-plant optionality a plus)
- Operating model conducive to shared-services lift (accounting, HR, IT) and freight-network consolidation
- Clean balance sheet – limited net debt, no unfunded pension or environmental exposure
3 ▸ Transaction Parameters
- Control acquisition ≥ 80 % equity
- Purchase multiple guideline: 4.5 – 6.5× LTM EBITDA pre-synergy
- Capital stack: ≈ ⅓ sponsor equity | ⅔ senior + mezz debt (relationships in place)
- Seller incentives: earn-out tied to defined performance KPIs; seller note / minority roll welcome
- Management continuity: flexible – retain team or facilitate phased owner retirement
4 ▸ Post-Close Value-Creation Playbook
- Cost-Out:
- Merge finance, HR, and procurement into shared-services hub
- Integrate freight lanes to leverage scale with national carriers and 3PLs
- Rationalize duplicate SKUs / supplier base to unlock gross-margin accretion
- Organic Growth:
- Cross-sell complementary SKUs through combined distributor network
- Expand direct-to-contractor e-commerce channel across tri-region footprint
- Incremental cap-ex only for ROI-positive bottleneck removals; no green-field builds required
5 ▸ Diligence Filters (“Red-Lines”)
Acceptable
Decline / Require Mitigation
Unionized workforce (case-by-case)
Open litigation with material exposure
Minor legacy environmental items with known remediation plan
Uncapped environmental liabilities
Normal preventive cap-ex cadence
Cap-ex backlog or immediate infusion needs
6 ▸ What We Need to Evaluate Quickly
- Executed NDA → 3-year historical P&L, balance sheets, customer mix by % revenue
- High-level plant overview (location, capacity, headcount, union status)
- Summary of add-backs / normalization adjustments
- Cap-ex history & forward plan; any known environmental reports (Phase I/II)
- Ownership goals (full exit, rollover %, timing expectations)
We can deliver an IOI within 10 business days of receiving the above package.
