OAKVILLE, ON, July 2 - 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.
