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Mer r i ck Fa l kens t e i n
The Challenge
Of Innovation
108
|
JANUARY 2017
|
CONNECT
M
errick Falkenstein’s
sense of adventure
isn’t limited to his passion for
traveling. Born in Johannesburg,
South Africa, Falkenstein
immigrated to Canada in 1987
and two years later launched
his company, ESP Promotions,
as an importer and distributor,
transitioning six years later
to become a supplier for the
promotional products industry.
Not content to remain static,
Falkenstein has continually
expanded his company through
acquisitions andmergerswith other
industry companies.This summer,
ESP joined forces with the St Regis
Group, a family of companies that
includes St Regis Crystal, Etching
Wines and Promobilia. ESP
Promotions trades in theU.S. as
K&RNewYork.
When he does take time away
from growing the business,
Falkenstein collects art, watches
sports and spends time with
friends and family. He and his
wife of 33 years, Ruth, have two
children—Dale and Daniella—
and two grandchildren.
Read on to learn more about
a day in the life of ESP’s owner
and president/CEO.
Describe your office
atmosphere.
Our team is
very friendly, and
has a strong sense of willingness
to learn, achieve and be better.
Our team thrives on challenges
and being busy.
What kinds of projects
or tasks might you
tackle on a given day?
Our days may include sourcing
and developing new products,
sales training, setting goals and
objectives, marketing, reviewing
financial data, and visiting with
clients. Additionally, we are
always looking for new business
opportunities such as mergers and
acquisitions, addressing quality
and compliance challenges, and
purchasing and negotiating.
by
Jen Alexander
Merrick Falkenstein’s
team at ESP Promotions/
K&R New York thrives on
improving and achieving.
Not content to
remain static,
Falkenstein
has continually
expanded
his company
through
acquisitions and
mergers with
other industry
companies.