The Criticality of Architectural Maintenance in Preserving the Built Environment

Architectural integrity is the foundation of a building’s aesthetic, cultural, and structural significance. Over time, architectural surfaces such as ornamental metal, stone, flooring, glass and wood millwork deteriorate due to exposure to environmental factors, oxidation, heavy foot traffic, and general wear. Solid Surface Care specializes in the meticulous restoration and maintenance of these materials, ensuring that historic, commercial, and luxury buildings retain their intended design, function and brand value.

Michael Crippen, Founder & CEO

As our team at Angeles Equity Partners and Impala Ventures embark on our investment partnership in Solid Surface Care, our goal is to support Mike Crippen, CEO/Founder, in expanding these critical services beyond their current 38 metro markets that the company services its clients facilities, positioning Solid as the dominant Architectural Restoration & Maintenance (ARM) platform in North America and beyond.

A Legacy of Architectural Preservation

My passion for this investment is deeply rooted. In 1932, my great-grandfather pioneered the field of architectural restoration in New York City, working alongside DuPont to develop a clear synthetic preservative for the vast amount of Art Deco metalwork that was being adorned on the city’s pre-war skyscrapers. His early innovations set the foundation for a field that has since become essential in preserving the beauty and integrity of commercial real estate and architecturally significant buildings. This is the industry where I "cut my teeth", where I have forged life long relationships, and it is where I became passionate about building companies that have enduring value over generations.

For decades, I have envisioned building on this legacy in the industry—taking restoration and preservation services to a international scale. Our investment in Solid Surface Care represents a critical step towards realizing this vision. By partnering with a market leader and a visionary CEO like Mike Crippen and his extraordinary leadership team, we have the opportunity to consolidate a highly fragmented industry and build the undisputed leader in Architectural Restoration & Maintenance (ARM). This is more than just an investment—it is a chance to further create a highly valuable, large-scale enterprise that ensures the longevity and beauty of North America's most treasured buildings. It also represents the first institutional capital investment in this niche sector to strategically consolidate the broader market.

Solid University, Technician Training Workshops

The Significance of Specialized Restoration Services

In nearly every commercial building's operating budget is an OPEX line item for the care of these specialized finishes. Even when the economy softens and vacancy ticks up in buildings and hotels alike, owners of these buildings seldom reduce these recurring expenses because they ensure that the buildings "curb" appeal will continue to attract tenants in a competitive market. Owners also know that reducing these critical services leads to unwanted replacement costs that far exceed the savings from the recurring maintenance planning that property managers rely on to keep up their buildings appearances.

Preservation of Cultural and Historical Value: Iconic buildings often feature artisanal craftsmanship and materials that are irreplaceable. Without proper care, intricate marble floors, ornamental bronze metalwork, and fine wood paneling can degrade, losing their historical and architectural significance. Expert restoration services help maintain these features in their original grandeur.

Structural Integrity and Longevity: Surface degradation can lead to structural vulnerabilities. For instance, untreated corrosion on metal can compromise load-bearing elements, while deteriorated stonework can result in costly and hazardous structural failures. Carpfet and tile flooring that is not properly maintained can delaminate and require extensive replacement. Preventive maintenance and expert restoration extend the lifespan of these materials.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency: Restoration and maintenance are far more sustainable than replacement. The restoration of natural stone, for example, reduces the environmental impact associated with quarrying new material. Additionally, restoring and maintaining surfaces prevents costly full-scale renovations, allowing property owners to manage expenses more effectively.

Aesthetic and Brand Image: Corporate headquarters, luxury hotels, and high-end retail spaces rely on pristine architectural finishes to maintain their brand identity. Worn-out surfaces diminish a brand’s visual appeal, while well-maintained materials enhance the perception of quality and prestige.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety: Many historic buildings and high-end commercial properties must adhere to strict preservation laws and building codes. Professional restoration ensures compliance while safeguarding the property against liability risks associated with deteriorating infrastructure.

Angeles Equity Partners & Impala Ventures Investment

Scaling Solid Surface Care into a international market leader, will require a large equity commitment from our team, which will allow the management team to significantly scale Solid’s operations, expanding its reach and capabilities across and beyond North America.

Our strategy will keenly focus on the following key initiatives:

Acquisition of Specialized Restoration Firms

Partnering with other leading regional leaders in niche restoration markets is core to our growth strategy. Whether this entails acquisition or strategic supplier/vendor partnerships--Solid will endeavor to deploy capital to secure growth.  Expanding service capabilities to include additional high-value materials and emerging architectural trends.

Investment in Cutting-Edge Technology and Training: Leveraging advanced restoration technologies such as laser cleaning for metal and robotic polishing for stone surfaces. Impala Ventures has a track record of investing in several leading technology applications for the FM sector, such as our work in robotics with Brain Corporation and technical sterilization technology Hygienica which was widely used during the pandemic. Expanding training programs to cultivate the next generation of master craftsmen, ensuring continuity of expertise.

Green Field Expansion and Enterprise Service Relationships

Today, Solid currently supports its enterprise clients from 38 service centers in North America, but many of these clients have international demands in key metropolitan urban markets. Establishing new service hubs in high-demand markets such as Boston, Seattle, London, building more robust capabilities in New York and Toronto will allow us to further service our Enterprise corporate clients for long-term maintenance contracts.

Brand Positioning and Thought Leadership

Positioning Solid Surface Care as the premier provider through education opportunities and industry advocacy. Hosting industry workshops, collaborating with coatings manufacturers and collaborating with architectural preservation societies to establish best practices in restoration that elevate this service offering to a new pinnacle. Each time we acquire a new platform, we will make an significant investment in the company's go to market resources and business development team.

Sustainability and ESG Initiatives

Developing and promoting water based (low VOC) and sustainable restoration solutions, including low-impact restoration techniques and sustainable sourcing of materials is central to this strategy. Further, implementing data-driven maintenance programs to proactively reduce waste and extend surface lifespans for our clients facilities has been at the center of Solid's philospohy since its founding.

By executing this strategy, Solid Surface Care is poised to become the undisputed leader in Architectural Restoration & Maintenance, safeguarding North America's most treasured buildings while driving sustainable growth in an essential industry.