|
|
 |
|
|
Oakville, ON, July 2, 2008 – MBEC Communications Inc. (MBEC), the privately held Canadian company that owns The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. master license in Canada, today announced new owners of the company. David Druker, who has been a centre owner and area franchisee in Quebec since 2005, and Larry Plotnick, a seasoned business executive, have acquired the company effective today. This comes as Ralph Askar announces his move into semi-retirement and away from his current role as president and chief executive officer and major shareholder of The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. franchise network in Canada.
"This is all very much part of MBEC’s overall succession plan, in addition to our desire and commitment to grow The UPS Store brand, and network, in Canada. We intend to build on the solid foundation that has been put in place under the astute leadership of Mr. Askar," explains Plotnick, the new executive chairman of MBEC Communications Inc.
"Over the past 10 years," notes Plotnick, "The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network has doubled its footprint in Canada, growing to over 330 franchises and truly becoming the leader of our industry. Over the coming decade we are committed to continuing our growth. We believe very strongly in the company and the role The UPS Store brand plays within the small-business market."
The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. is Canada’s largest franchise network of business service centres in addition to being recognized as the country’s largest chain of franchised print and document centres. The network has been ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s "Franchise 500" as the number one franchise opportunity in the business services category for 18 consecutive years.
"Our focus and our business strategy will not change," states Druker, the master licensee’s in-coming president. "We will continue to cater to the small and medium-size business sector, adapting our products and services to their changing needs, while at the same time looking at traditional and non-traditional venues such as airports, university campuses and hotels for our expansion. We are also convinced that using our centres as mini-offices for corporate sales reps, and as distribution hubs for many e-commerce and catalogue companies, has strong appeal for larger, national clients."
Plotnick is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in sales and marketing. After working at Proctor & Gamble, Gillette and Max Factor, he was one of the founding partners in 1979 of AVS Technologies Inc., a Canadian success story in the consumer electronics sector. When the company was sold in 2005, it had become an exclusive importer and marketer of leading brands such as TDK, SanDisk, Uniden, Cobra, One For All and Sakar to virtually every major retail chain across Canada including Costco, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Shoppers Drug Mart, Staples and Home Depot; and had annual revenues of $140 million.
Having led the Quebec expansion over the past three years and having been involved in franchising for almost two decades, Druker has an in-depth knowledge of The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. operations coupled with proven leadership skills. Under his direction, the network has grown from seven to 23 locations in the province. An entrepreneur, Druker had previously worked in the telecommunications industry for 15 years with Cellular Solution and Cantel (now Rogers Wireless), where at its peak he was managing a network with more than $10 million in annual revenue and a team of 110 employees.
"Our international expansion began in Canada in 1988, and the concept has succeeded because we have adapted our services to the evolving needs of our clients both in the U.S. and abroad," explained Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), franchisor of The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network in the U.S. and master franchisor internationally. "We are thankful to Ralph Askar for the strong foundation he has helped to build. As we enter a new chapter in Canada, we are confident that Larry and David have the skills, the drive and the vision to take our network in Canada to the next level."
"Having been a franchisee, I am well aware of the important role our owner/operators play," adds Druker. "They are our eyes and ears on the marketplace, and I will regularly be seeking their input and advice."
"Success in business is due in large part to the people you work with," concludes Druker. "I have benefited enormously from the support of The UPS Store team across Canada as well as our suppliers and other business partners. I look forward to working with all of them in the years ahead."
About The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.:
The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are Canada’s largest franchise network of business service centres. The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. operations in Canada are owned and managed by Oakville, Ontario-based MBEC Communications and its licensed franchisees. The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. names are used in Canada under a master license by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS company.
Together, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations comprise the world’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centres, with more than 5,900 locations around the world and over 330 in Canada.
The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. offer complete business support services such as full document finishing, digital color and black and white printing, worldwide packing and shipping services, mailbox services with 24-hour access, commercial printing, mail forwarding, package/mail and fax receiving, mail fulfillment and so much more.
For more information, please visit www.theupsstore.ca or www.mbe.ca.
# # #
Contact:
- Michelle Cameron
MBEC Communications Inc.
905-338-9754 ext 236
- Cathy Carter
CJC Communications
905-338-0825
Cell: 416-737-8519
 Back to Top
|
|
|
|
History
Pressroom
Archive