Kanbrick
Long-term investor acquiring, improving businesses
M&A Integration Manager
Approximately 50% travel is required, including occasional short-notice travel.
About the job
- Three to five years of experience in M&A integration support, operations, operational excellence, project management, consulting, continuous improvement, or a similar environment.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects from planning through execution.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to travel approximately 50%, including occasional short-notice travel.
- Manage the end-to-end integration of newly acquired companies from planning through execution.
- Coordinate integration across operations, people, systems, inventory, and processes.
- Partner with local leaders to ensure smooth transitions with minimal business disruption.
- Develop standardized playbooks to make future integrations faster and more effective.
- Identify operational gaps and opportunities for improvement.
- Standardize workflows, processes, and best practices across locations.
- Implement scalable solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and consistency.
- Help establish operational discipline during periods of rapid growth.
- Build credibility with frontline employees and leadership teams.
- Communicate the purpose behind operational changes to gain buy-in and adoption.
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration without relying on direct authority.
- Serve as a trusted partner during periods of organizational change.
- Support the implementation and adoption of operational systems, enterprise resource planning platforms, and inventory tools.
- Develop meaningful key performance indicators and operational dashboards.
- Analyze performance data and recommend actions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and customer experience.
- A Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
- An MBA, Project Management Professional certification, Lean Six Sigma certification, or similar certification.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, operational integrations, or multi-site organizations.
- Background in manufacturing, industrial services, calibration, field service, or technical operations.
About the company
Kanbrick partners with founders and business owners to acquire consumer and industrial companies with strong competitive moats and untapped potential. It operates as a long-term investment partnership that combines investing and hands-on operating experience to improve performance and grow value over time. The company’s approach relies on taking a patient, equity-led ownership stake and implementing practical operational changes to unlock growth, efficiency, and resilience. What sets Kanbrick apart is its blend of investment and hands-on operations, offering a differentiated, long-term home for businesses and a compelling option for founders seeking enduring support rather than a quick exit. The goal is to compound long-term returns by building durable companies with durable competitive advantages.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$220M
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
2020
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Kanbrick raised $220 million in 2024, preserving dry powder for 2026 deals.
- Keep Supply closed February 3, 2026, expanding industrial distribution exposure.
- Depatie's February 24, 2026 partnership adds motion-control and automation cross-sell opportunities.
What critics are saying
- 2026 roll-ups in Keep Supply, LTI, AAG, and Depatie strain integration capacity.
- Targeting $5 million-$50 million EBIT businesses creates founder-dependence and succession risk.
- One failed platform acquisition could crush Kanbrick's reputation with family sellers by 2027.
What makes Kanbrick unique
- Kanbrick buys minority and majority stakes, preserving founder control and flexibility.
- Its Kanbrick Business System standardizes operating playbooks across family-owned businesses.
- The Kanbrick Community sources deals and gives CEOs practical peer support.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 18%1 year growth
↑ 18%2 year growth
↑ 18%Kanbrick announces growth partnership with Depatie Fluid Power Group. CHARLOTTE, N.C. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Kanbrick, the long-term investment partnership focused on investing in and growing family-owned businesses, announced a minority partnership with Depatie Fluid Power Group, a leading manufacturer, distributor, and service provider of fluid power components and automation systems. Kanbrick will provide long-term strategic support to accelerate the company's next phase of growth. "Depatie's expertise in mission-critical fluid power applications, combined with its comprehensive engineering services, uniquely positions the company for expansion. We're excited to partner with this exceptional team to unlock new growth opportunities." Share For 70 years, Depatie has been a differentiated provider of products, equipment, and best-in-class engineering services for motion control and automation. Led by second-generation owner Ryan Thomas, the company has diversified through strategic acquisitions, including Am-Dy-Nic, Great Lakes, Hose & Automation, Hydraulic Systems Inc., International Fluid Power, J.E.M. Fluid Power, and West Michigan Hydraulics. In 2026, Depatie and its subsidiaries were incorporated into the American Motion Group (AMG) family of companies, which includes CKC Automation, a full-spectrum automation provider, and Threadcraft Inc., a ball screw manufacturer. "I've had the chance to get to know the Kanbrick team over the past two years, and we're excited to partner with a group that shares our passion for our team members and the customers we serve," said Ryan Thomas, President and General Manager of Depatie. "As technology continues to evolve across our industry, this long-term partnership gives us the resources and strategic support to stay at the forefront of motion control and automation." Kanbrick will work closely with Ryan and the AMG companies to expand capabilities and services. "Depatie's expertise in mission-critical fluid power applications, combined with its comprehensive engineering services, uniquely positions the company for expansion," said Tracy Britt Cool, Co-Founder of Kanbrick. "We first met Ryan two years ago through our Kanbrick Community and have been impressed with Depatie's legacy, global platform, and deep customer relationships. We're excited to partner with this exceptional team to unlock new growth opportunities." Depatie joins Kanbrick's family of companies including JM Test Systems, Marine Concepts, Laboratory Testing (LTI), Alchemy Analytical Group (AAG), and Keep Supply. About Depatie Fluid Power Group Founded in 1956, Depatie Fluid Power Group is a leading provider of hydraulics, pneumatics, and fluid connector parts and equipment, known for best-in-class engineering services for their clients in the aerospace, medical, automotive, mining, and agriculture industries. Depatie is part of the American Motion Group (AMG), a family of companies that includes Am-Dy-Nic, CKC Automation, Great Lakes, Hose & Automation, Hydraulic Systems Inc., International Fluid Power, J.E.M. Fluid Power, Threadcraft Inc., and West Michigan Hydraulics. Together, they have 12 locations in the U.S., serving thousands of customers worldwide. For more information, visit: depatie.com. About Kanbrick Kanbrick is a long-term investment partnership founded by Tracy Britt Cool and Brian Humphrey that is focused on buying, building, and growing great businesses. Kanbrick partners closely with CEOs, founders, and owners, taking a hands-on approach to empower people and companies to reach their full potential. Kanbrick supports family- and founder-owned companies through its Kanbrick Community and programs like Build with Kanbrick. For more information, visit: kanbrick.com.
Kanbrick, the long-term investment partnership focused on investing in and building founder- and family-owned businesses, today announced a strategic partner...
Kanbrick, the long-term investment partnership focused on investing in and building founder- and family-owned businesses, today announced a strategic partner...
JM Test Systems, a provider of test equipment solutions, has acquired Alabama Scale & Instrument, Inc. (ASI) to expand its testing and calibration capabilities in the Southeast. This acquisition aligns with JM Test's mission to simplify test equipment for customers and follows its recent acquisition of BHD Instrumentation. JM Test, acquired by Kanbrick in 2023, aims to grow by acquiring businesses that share its commitment to quality and reliability.
Kanbrick announces growth partnership with Alchemy Analytical Group.