TORONTO, August 15, 2007 -- xpedx said today it has named Michael Kearney, a veteran Canadian paper and graphics industry executive, as head of its Canadian operations and new Toronto-area distribution center.
Meantime, the company said it is making progress toward full operations in Fall 2007 at its new Brampton, Ont. operations and distribution center, which will also serve as the national headquarters of xpedx Canada.  xpedx has announced a new 150,000-square foot distribution center as well as two paper and graphics stores in Brampton and Markham, Ont.  xpedx is a major North American distributor of printing papers, graphics, packaging and janitorial-sanitary supplies and equipment.
Kearney, who previously served as president and chief operating officer for Vancouver-based Coast Papers, has a 30-year career working with printers of all sizes across Canada.  He has a demonstrated commitment to strong supplier relationships and an established record of expanding service and support to the Canadian printing industry.
“Mike is a proven leader and is the best person for this important new position at xpedx,” said xpedx executive vice president Art Douville. “He knows how to build customer-driven businesses, is expert in paper, printing and supply chain management, and is focused on bringing customers the best local market offering of products and service.” Kearney will report to Douville, who is based at xpedx headquarters in Loveland, Ohio.
Douville noted that xpedx intends to expand the company’s presence in top Canadian metro areas. He said Kearney’s breadth of experience in Canada’s top print markets from British Columbia to Quebec will be valuable in building xpedx Canada. Kearney is a New Brunswick native.
“Having consulted with xpedx for the last year and a half, I’ve seen how rich in talent, assets, capabilities and customer service the organization is, “ said Mike Kearney. “I have a passion for the distribution business and welcome the opportunity to join xpedx, as they bring their vast resources to Canadian businesses through an efficient national network of local sales, service and distribution facilities.”
Kearney said the company would provide paper and graphics supplies and equipment, as well as packaging solutions, from manufacturers in Canada, North America and worldwide.
Prior to his consulting work with a variety of distribution businesses, Kearney served as president and chief operating officer of Coast Paper, where he oversaw significant business growth and the completion of a national expansion. Before that, he served as Coast Paper’s senior vice president and as vice president and general manager of the Toronto division.  He has held sales and management posts in Edmonton and began his career at Coast Paper in the Vancouver market.