Garden City Equity (Garden City), a people-first holding company focused on partnering with exceptional founder-owned businesses, announced today its investment in Commercial Residential Aluminum (CRA). CRA is a Florida-based market leader in the design, fabrication, and installation of premium outdoor aluminum product solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1992, CRA delivers high-quality, end-to-end aluminum structures for both residential and commercial applications. The Company’s offering includes patio and pool enclosures, screen rooms, fencing, gutters, carports, railings, and other custom exterior aluminum solutions. Over the past five years, CRA has fabricated and installed more than 30,000 aluminum screen enclosures throughout Florida, solidifying its position as a leading provider in the state. With three strategically located facilities, CRA serves a diverse customer base across Florida—from national homebuilders and commercial developers to direct-to-consumer homeowners.
“CRA is a market leader in outdoor aluminum products, powered by a humble, high-performing team that delivers excellence every day,” said Michael Arrieta, founder and chief executive officer of Garden City. “They’ve built a business that’s truly built to last, and we believe this is only the beginning. We’re honored to partner with them as they expand into new offerings, new regions, and continue making a meaningful impact across Florida and beyond.”
“CRA has achieved tremendous success thanks to the hard work and dedication of its 200+ team members,” said Jeff Giles, senior partner and chief investment officer of Garden City. “We’re excited to help build on the strong foundation they’ve established as we pursue growth in their core markets and beyond. We’re grateful to Tom Teffenhart, the former majority owner, for placing his trust in us, and we look forward to partnering with the exceptional leadership team led by chief executive officer, Doug Sorantino, a seasoned executive with decades of experience in building products and construction services.”
“Partnering with Garden City is a major step forward for CRA,” said Sorantino. “They understand the value of what we’ve built and bring a long-term perspective that will help us strengthen our team, grow our capabilities, and pursue new opportunities—all while continuing to deliver the quality and reliability our customers expect. Their people-first mission aligns perfectly with our commitment to being the employer of choice in our markets. I’m proud to be part of this next chapter—and even prouder to share it with such an exceptional team.”
“As I look back on all we’ve accomplished at CRA over the years, I’m incredibly proud of our team and their tireless efforts to deliver first-class products and services to our customers,” said Tom Teffenhart, former majority owner of CRA. “When I made the decision to bring on an investor, I was focused on finding a partner who aligned with our mission and values and shared a long-term investment horizon. Garden City was the perfect match—they respect the culture we’ve built, bring strategic expertise, and are committed to supporting CRA’s continued growth. I’m excited to remain involved as a shareholder and board member and to support Doug and the leadership team as CRA enters this next chapter.”
This marks Garden City’s first platform investment in the outdoor aluminum products space and reflects its commitment to partnering with differentiated market leaders in durable industries. In January, Garden City announced its investment in Westbrook Service Corporation, a leading Florida-based provider of commercial HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services.
About Garden City Equity:
Garden City Equity is a people-first holding company that invests in exceptional founder and family-owned businesses. We partner with owners who truly care about the legacy of their businesses, and provide them with a fast, fair, and straightforward acquisition process. We utilize little to no debt, endeavor to hold our investments for the long term, and actively engage our family of 200+ mission-aligned shareholders to help grow our businesses.
