Value Creation — The Anatomy of the Deal

During his 30-year career, Joe Volman has become known as a go-to lawyer in the middle-market community, particularly with respect to mid-market mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”). Through his creative, results-driven approach, Joe partners with his clients as a strategic adviser, and leverages his vast network to help clients source deals and raise capital in order to effectively drive growth and maximize returns on their investments.

He is particularly skilled in negotiating in a constructive and collaborative fashion, made evident by an illustrious career grown through referrals of past clients and industry-leading companies seeking his proficiency with buy- and sell-side transactions. On the sell-side, Joe helps clients prepare for the sale process, including tax and other structuring. He assists strategic and financial acquirors with tax, structuring, and negotiating transaction documents.

Joe is a deal maker and is known to take a highly commercial approach to move transactions over the finish line. He constantly strives to be the lawyer clients call to solve their problems, operating as if he is in the office next door and available to help when needed. His sell-side clients know that he treats their business as if it were his family business—he cares very deeply about them, their family, and their business. They know he has their back and that he’s going to help them achieve their wealth and liquidity goals. On the buy-side, private equity (“PE”) firms trust him to help them make the best choices, acquire the right companies, to achieve success for their limited partners. As a firm leader, he is also able to command the best resources for their transactions.

Gordie Spater is the CEO of Katahdin Group and was formerly the co-founder and CEO of Kurgo, the leading dog travel product company in North America. Before coming to Katahdin Group, he celebrated a successful exit of the business to Radio Systems Corporation after 16 consecutive years of revenue growth.

Kurgo’s products are sold nationwide from Petco to the local pet store around the corner. The offerings include everything a dog owner and dog need to get out and enjoy the world together from car harnesses, to seat covers to lifejackets for dogs. Kurgo was an 8-time Honoree of the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the US. Prior to founding Kurgo with his brother in 2003, Gordie helped start two other companies.

Gordie lives in Topsfield, MA with his wife Brooke, three children and Labradoodle Winnie. He is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of Vermont and obtained his MBA from the Harvard Business School. Gordie served on the Topsfield school committee for 6 years and currently serves as a Director of W.F. Young and DIGGS.pet.

Bolingbrook, IL, October 6, 2025-Gerflor Group, a global provider of resilient flooring and surface solutions, announced the acquisition of Matter Surfaces, a provider of entrance systems and architectural surface solutions in the U.S. commercial market.

This strategic acquisition brings together two organizations with shared values, complementary product portfolios, and a deep commitment to customer experience, performance, and innovation.

Matter Surfaces traces its roots back to 1971, when Bob and Catherine Schiffmann founded Mats Inc., selling entrance mats throughout the Greater Boston area. Today, under the leadership of the second generation-Paul, Richard and John Schiffmann-the company and its brands carry forward that legacy while embracing a future rooted in design, wellness, sustainability and customer service. Matter Surfaces will continue to operate as a standalone brand and business unit under the Gerflor North America umbrella.

“From the start, it was clear that Matter and Gerflor speak the same language: design-forward, customer-driven, and focused on delivering excellence,” said Benjamin Bachman, CEO of Gerflor North America. “This is not a story of change, but one of continuity and momentum. We’re excited to welcome the Matter team into the Gerflor family.”

Barry Hume, who has served as CEO of Matter Surfaces since 2017, will continue to lead the company and its team from their headquarters in Stoughton, Massachusetts. He will report directly to Benjamin Bachman. All three founding shareholders remain fully engaged in the business, continuing in their respective leadership roles as vice president and senior directors, reporting directly to Barry.