To meet demand from its growing customer base, Connecting for Results (CFR, Toronto), a consulting firm that focuses on mergers and acquisitions, management strategies and executive recruiting, has engaged the expertise and experience of four industry veterans – Andrew Gage, Amin Mourad, Frank Kerr and Serge Trajkovich. “Industry followers who have witnessed the dramatic changes in the printing and graphic arts industry over the past 15 to 20 years, know specialized expertise is critical to be successful in managing the transitions in customer needs and digital applications,” said CFR.
Gord Griffiths, CFR President, added: “Experience and expertise count. Andrew, Amin, Frank and Serge have all held senior leadership positions in the industry and bring complementary expertise to enhance the CFR offering.” Griffiths pointed out that the industry is facing challenging times and will benefit from the different areas of expertise the team brings, which includes expanded capabilities in:
- Corporate strategy and execution
- Marketing services and corporate relations
- Paper, consumables and supply-chain management
- Packaging and pre-press
The company went on to say that it’s uniquely positioned to bring buyers and sellers together and execute transactions that maximize results for all parties. “Leveraging their in-depth and extensive industry knowledge with a time-tested methodology, company experts will develop and implement winning strategies for both sellers and buyers.”
Andrew Gage. Gage is a proven revenue-growth generator with demonstrated success at improving operations and bottom-line profits, with a focus on marketing services. He started his career as a consultant at E&Y and was a partner and senior executive at Marshall Fenn, a leading Canadian marketing consultancy providing B2B and B2C consulting, marketing automation software, and print-management solutions. He’s worked with some of Canada’s largest companies and created a track record of generating meaningful and measurable results. Through the development and implementation of innovative, managed-service initiatives, he’s integrated multiple touch points that drove revenue and streamlined costs.
Amin Mourad. Mourad is a corporate executive and leader with an extensive and diversified experience – including directing and managing publicly held as well as privately owned companies – ranging from start-ups to large corporations. These included: Quebecor World, TC Transcontinental, Data Group (Relizon Canada), Cascades Paperboard (Somerville Packaging), Rossmar Inc., Continental Can, Genstar (Inland Cement) and SNC. He’s an engineer by training with an MBA, and has worked on mandates in Africa, Europe, and U.S.-based subsidiaries.
Frank Kerr. Kerr brings over 40 years of experience and specialized knowledge of the North American paper and print industry. Having held roles ranging from sales and customer relationship management to general management, he’s earned the respect of his clients and employers alike, for creating and implementing programs that have delivered results. Early in his career, he balanced time on the Canadian Bobsled Team with expanding his knowledge and skills to become a recognized expert in C1S label and wet-strength papers. During his career, he’s worked for some of the largest mills in North America, built long-lasting relationships with his customers, and earned a reputation as one who solves problems and delivers on his commitments. Kerr also believes that volunteering in the community is also very important. Therefore, he has run operations and security for a prominent Toronto event for over 15 years.
Serge Trajkovich. Trajkovich’s career has been focused on the management of sales, marketing, business development and operations in the B2B environment – specifically on the packaging industries and graphic communications. His business orientation is relationship building, and helping clients realize their ROI. His expertise also includes general management, business strategy, business planning and recruitment. He’s worked with various industry-leading companies including Imaginex, Schawk, PLM Group, Transcontinental, PrintLink, Central Group and Encept Pre-Media.
