Graham Announces Investment in Continental Glass Systems, LLC

Graham Architectural Products (GAP), a legacy business of the $4 billion Graham Group of companies, announced today that through an affiliate it has entered into an agreement with Continental Glass Systems, LLC (CGS), Hialeah, FL, (www.cgsfl.com) to acquire a significant equity and operating partner position in the business of CGS. 

GAP is a leading U.S. manufacturer of architectural-grade windows, window wall, doors and curtain wall, based in York, PA, with manufacturing locations in York, PA, New Castle, PA, and Merrill, WI. 

This transaction is anticipated to close early in the first quarter of 2015.  This strategic acquisition complements the existing GAP businesses by broadening the Graham manufacturing footprint in the southern United States, while adding a well-established hurricane impact portfolio into the product mix.

GAP President and CEO Brian Hurley made the announcement, noting, "We're very excited about this important strategic investment with CGS and its partners.  We share similar goals in producing high quality, custom-designed fenestration solutions for architects and building owners.  Combining CGS and GAP expands our geographical reach specifically along the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines, as well as in inland impact zones, and solidifies our hurricane impact product offering nationwide.  We are excited to welcome CGS and all of its employees into the Graham family and look forward to capitalizing on the synergies and talent that exist with the two companies."

CGS owners Shlomo Epstein and Samir Moussa commented, "CGS has experienced explosive growth over the past 10 years and our employees are extremely proud of our accomplishments during this time.  We are pleased to partner with GAP in this endeavor.  Both GAP and CGS contribute significant experience and resources to this new partnership, which will establish a strong operating platform that we can build upon.  Our strong relationships with architects and building owners, along with our expertise in engineered solutions that meet Miami-Dade County requirements, enable us to provide custom designs that are unparalleled in the industry today.  We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Graham growth strategy."

About Continental Glass Systems, LLC:

Continental Glass Systems, LLC (www.cgsfl.com) was founded in 2005 by partners Shlomo Epstein and Samir Moussa under the principles of providing top quality products and stellar customer service to architects, owners, contractors and builders.  Both believe in a hands-on approach to business and credit their success to providing "driven design" for customers.  All Continental Glass Systems' products meet Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) approvals, which means they are tested and approved for hurricane zone applications.  Their extensive experience with these applications has landed them some of the most prestigious projects throughout Florida and the Caribbean.

About Graham Architectural Products:

Graham Architectural Products (GAP) (www.grahamwindows.com) was founded in 1960 by Donald C. Graham as part of Graham Engineering and is a leading supplier of architectural windows.  GAP is renowned for its leadership in historical reproductions and high quality and has enjoyed the reputation of being an engineering company that manufactures custom replacement windows.  Over the years, GAP has added to its offering a wide variety of custom and specialty products, including acoustical products and ballistic-resistant, blast-resistant, and hurricane-resistant windows.   In 2009, GAP acquired FM Graham, a curtain wall manufacturer, which now operates as Graham Curtain Wall Solutions in Merrill, WI.  In 2010, GAP acquired Graham Thermal Products in New Castle, PA, adding a line of highly efficient thermal windows to the GAP portfolio.  GAP is part of the Graham Group of York, PA, an industrial and investment concern with global interests in plastics, packaging, machinery, building products and outsource manufacturing.

About The Graham Group:

Headquartered in York, PA, The Graham Group is an alliance of independently owned and operated industrial and investment management businesses that share in the common legacy of entrepreneur Donald C. Graham. As of year-end 2013, The Graham Group's legacy industrial businesses, Graham Engineering, Graham Architectural, and the formerly owned Graham Packaging*, collectively operated in more than 90 locations worldwide and generated approximately $4 billion in annual revenues. The Graham Group has also spawned several independently-managed investment management businesses. First, Graham Capital Company manages a $1.5 billion portfolio of marketable securities along with investments in over 100 alternative investment funds for the Graham family, and also oversees the operating businesses and direct investment portfolio of the Graham family. Second, Graham Partners and Inverness Graham are independent registered investment advisors, which manage approximately $2 billion in committed private equity capital and co-investment funds, principally on behalf of institutional investors. Striker Partners and Graham Software are two additional Graham Group-related investment businesses.

* Graham Packaging is now wholly owned by Reynolds Group Holdings, LTD.