Vision, Common Sense, Value Creation

Our Mission

We are a private company creating value through active ownership of private businesses.

We partner with people, at all levels within the organization, and enable leadership vision, priorities, execution, training and networks that make good companies become great.

We focus the whole team on the big picture, allowing them to create the small masterpieces that create a success-driven company.

We utilize creative management practices, productivity gains, and growth as our primary drivers to create value.

We are disciplined in our strategy, analysis, and execution.

Our Philosophy

Define the Vision - Create the Value

We believe in value creation through unleashing our potential as people. Companies are undervalued because their people are performing below their abilities. Our combination of experience in all aspects of value creation sets us apart from the field.

Let the Data Drive the Decisions

Access to the right information helps us analyze the right numbers leading to better decision making. This applies to revenue uplift or cost control.

Remove the Obstacles to Achieving Success

We spend more time with management if the business issues are complex. We create simple solutions to remove complexities, bureaucracies and drive decisions as close to the customers as possible.

Uncommon Sense

We have a common sense, which is uncommon in so many companies who wish to increase their value and presence in markets. Our simple approaches to complex issues fuel the growth in businesses we manage.

We Serve

We are customer driven and responsive, not customer reactive. Our proven methodology drives quality throughout the organization, and orients the companies which we manage exclusively around serving employee and customer needs. We like to serve and we like to help.

Hands On – Hands Off

Our style depends on the operational conditions and the management talent. In an ideal world, we would be hands off. But then again, in an ideal world, you wouldn’t need us anyway.

Management by Walking Around

We develop strategy with static and dynamic goals based on our competitive position. We don’t inundate management with unnecessary reporting or meetings for the sake of meetings. We value our team’s time, and know that time spent on customers is more important than in a board room.

Laugh More

At the end day, if its not fun, its not worth doing. We create an efficient and productive environment to see opportunities where none existed before. We teach our teams how to execute on these opportunities and let the fun begin.

Our Leadership Team

Ian Savas

Ian Savas joined Cranbrook Partners after DoorDash, where he held operations and strategy roles supporting several of the company’s fastest-growing retail and grocery businesses. Earlier in his career, he worked in management consulting at Roland Berger, advising automotive & industrials clients on growth strategy and operational performance.

Ian led Cranbrook’s acquisition of Ritner Steel and serves as Executive Chairman, working alongside the leadership team to execute the company’s long-term strategic vision. He also leads add-on acquisition efforts for iwerk, identifying, evaluating, and integrating acquisitions that strengthen the platform and expand its capabilities. At Cranbrook, Ian focuses on building great businesses through thoughtful capital allocation, operational excellence, and long-term partnership with management teams. He is particularly interested in using technology and data to improve decision-making while preserving the entrepreneurial cultures that drive exceptional businesses.

Ian received his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, as well as a Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Political Science from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts with Honors at the University of Michigan.

Sophia Savas

Sophia Savas joined Cranbrook Partners & Company after 7 years with McKinsey & Company as an Engagement Manager and previously Senior Business Analyst in the New York, NY and Chicago, IL offices. She led teams to successfully deliver 35+ projects with large corporations, startups, investors, and social sector clients across 4 different continents. Her projects primarily developed and executed corporate strategy, planning, and operations in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and post-merger integrations.

Sophia has executed impact at-scale with large corporations and in entrepreneurial contexts alike, serving on M&A deals and integrations ranging from $50M-$7B. For example, she led several teams to deliver management, organization, and operational improvements during the merger and integration of two large renewable companies. She designed and implemented hundreds of initiatives to improve operational processes and supplier spending during an acquisition of nuclear powerplants. During another project, she developed and executed a recovery plan for an electric vehicle start-up partnering directly with the board and working in 3 different countries. She also scaled McKinsey’s ESG and Sustainability services by deploying investments across client development, tools and assets, published research, and external partnerships doubling client opportunities in the first year.

At Cranbrook Partners, she is focused on investing in people and companies to scale their impact, execute efficiently, and deliver results for their customers, employees, and communities. Sophia proudly received her Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) with High Distinction from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Zachary Savas

Mr. Savas is President and founder of Cranbrook Partners & Co. He is also Chairman of Fire Catt, LLC and sits on the boards of Ritner Steel, Roman Stone Construction Company, and iwerk.

From 1991-1996, Mr. Savas was managing Cranbrook Partners & Co. as a boutique investment bank in Chicago. He began his career in 1985 with Citicorp Mergers and Acquisitions in New York City. During his career he has advised on over sixty transactions ranging in value from $3 million to $6 billion and completed over thirty transactions.

From 2020-2024, he was a Director of Alta Equipment Group, Inc. (NYSE-$1.8 billion revenue), and sat on the Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating Committees. From 2009-2014, he was Lead Director of Tecumseh Products Company (NASDAQ-$900 million in revenue), and sat on the Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating Committees. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Production Spring, LLC (2002-2023) Vexor Technology, LLC (2016–2020) Snap-tite, Inc. (2002-2010) and RPF Oil Company (2008-2012). From 1996 – 2000, Mr. Savas was President and part owner of Andover Industries. At Andover, he designed and implemented a financial, operational and strategic restructuring of the company that resulted in doubling of sales from $60 million to $120 million and quadrupling its equity value.

Mr. Savas graduated With Honors from the University of Michigan, School of Business Administration with a Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA). He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, sits on the Board of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Co-Chaired the Capital Campaign for The Roeper School and sat on the Southeastern Michigan Leadership Committee for the University of Michigan $4 billion Capital Campaign.

Our Companies

Fire CATT offers the most technically advanced fire hose testing services in the United States. Focusing on serving the needs of Fire Departments’ “Critical Asset Testing and Tracking”, Fire CATT is growing rapidly and currently operates in 45 states.

iwerk specializes in information systems. Serving the needs of networks, it offers a complete line of technical services, data delivery and hosting. iwerk develops custom software and internet applications designed to match your business processes, specializing in complex database utilization. Re branded Lewis ig as iwerk in 2007.

Roman Stone Construction Company is a 120 year old family business. As a precast concrete manufacturer Roman Stone has attained certifications to supply NYSDOT, Nassau County DPW, Suffolk County DPW, Port Authority NY/NJ, Con Edison, MTA NYC DCAS and most other government in the NYC metro area.

Ritner Steel is a 77 year old fabricator of structural steel. Our facility is an AISC certified supplier specializing in structural steel to support the industrial, commercial and residential needs of Central Pennsylvania’s contractors.

Former Partners

Based in Troy, Michigan, Production Spring LLC specializes in custom fastening solutions and precision metal stamping, including 4-slide stamping, progressive die stamping, and deep draw technology for the automotive industry. The company specializes in lower volume, hard to procure, niche components such as u-nuts, nut plates, clips, retainers, shims, and thrust washers for tight tolerances. It holds NMSDC minority business enterprise and ISO certifications. In 2024, Cranbrook exited Production Spring, selling to its partner in the business.

Founded in 1999 and based in Medina, Ohio, Vexor Technology was a non-hazardous waste processing company specializing in engineered fuel and wastewater treatment, converting waste into an alternative fuel source for industrial combustion units. In June 2020, Vexor was acquired by Chemtron Corp., a Kinderhook Industries portfolio company, marking a successful exit.

Spot Imaging is a leading provider of digital pathology imaging solutions, serving more than 1,000 pathology laboratories and bioresearch institutions nationwide, including Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Healthcare, and Yale New Haven Hospital. The company’s sample imaging, image sharing, and sample tracking systems help labs modernize workflows and prepare for AI-driven diagnostics. In 2019, Cranbrook exited Spot Imaging, selling to its partners in the business.

Who We Seek

We look for a willing seller or partner. Someone who is looking for creativity, innovation and growth.

Companies who have grown out of their existing management capabilities and would like to partner with us to realize their potential and presence in the market place.

Companies wanting to spin off non-core businesses or businesses which are under performing

Private owners who wish to seek and enhance their growth and value prospects through creative financing, management and innovation.

Private owners who are in trouble or those wishing to exit but are highly committed to continuing to serve their customers and partners.

Companies who need strategic guidance based upon size or industry.

Companies that appear to be small, but with high potential for growth

Companies who wish to increase their value within their industry

Companies with a technology or management capability we are lacking.

Companies who need a management and technology capability they are lacking.

Companies who want a management team that likes people