About Us | Polykar

Mission & Vision

Mission & Vision

Living our values everyday

Our values are our Heart and DNA. Pride, Excellence, Collaboration, Trust and Sustainability define who we are.

Our Mission

We are an innovative, world-class manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions. People, purpose, passion and pride, from our people to yours.

Our Vision

Driven by operational excellence, we will lead in sustainable flexible packaging solutions, and double our sales in the next five years through geographical expansion.

Here's our journey 1987 - today

Here's our journey 1987 - today

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE TIMELINE

POLYKAR BEGAN AS A FAMILY BUSINESS IN 1987. DECADES LATER, WITH AN EXTENDED FAMILY, WE ARE A NORTH AMERICAN LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS.

Over the course of more than thirty years, our focus has been on manufacturing environmentally-friendly industrial garbage bags, compostable bags for organic waste collection, food packaging and on recycling polyethylene.

How do we lead the way in sustainable packaging? We help steer our industry to reduce our carbon footprint, research how to create more compostable packaging with global innovators and work with industry partners to help divert plastic waste away from landfills.

Today, Polykar's growth and expertise in recycling, making compostable film and bags keep us at the leading edge of sustainability in flexible packaging. This approach remains at the forefront of everything we do, and to this day, our people provide the passion to develop innovative packaging solutions.

An important part of our company's tradition lies in giving back to our communities. So in 2018, we established La Fondation Polykar as our commitment to do just this. Read about our Foundation at www.lafondationpolykar.org

Leadership

Amir Karim

Amir Karim

President & CEO

Following a decade of senior investment banking experience at Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs in New York and Montreal, Amir joined the family business in 2001. He directed Polykar's national and strategic growth until July 2018 when he became President and CEO. A passionate leader and advocate of sustainable plastics, Amir sits on several not-for-profit boards and associations and is currently Canada Director on the ISSA. He is also the President of La Fondation Polykar.

Allan Wood

Allan Wood

Chief Operating Officer

Allan came to Polykar in 2016 as our Chief Financial Officer and brought with him a decade of senior accounting experience alongside his CPA and CA designations. Originally from Australia via India, Allan is now Chief Operating Officer has developed a love for all things machines, plastic recycling and operational efficiency! Allan believes that successes come every day at Polykar thanks to several mugs of coffee, great desserts and awesome socks!

Mirella Ighnatios

Mirella Ighnatios

Director, Human Capital & Corporate Culture

Mirella leads Polykar's human resources and corporate culture initiatives. A member of the Ordre des ressources humaines agrees, she is a specialist in organizational development and employee engagement. Her passion is for people and growing their potential in a results-driven and safe organization. Mirella loves travelling and discovering new foods!

Randy Shermet

Randy Shermet

Vice President, Sales & Business Development

Randy brought a wealth of plastic industry experience to the Polykar family in early 2015 and spearheaded our move into the polyethylene converter film market. Randy loves golf tournaments, watching live jazz and would do (almost!) anything for a great steak!

Natalie Mountain

Natalie Mountain

Marketing Director

Natalie came to Polykar in 2019 with marketing accolades from across the technology industry. Her two decades of experience managing Marketing and Public Relations departments include directing strategic marketing plans for the North American and Asian markets. Natalie has a passion for soccer coaching and travel. Coupled with being a real foodie, she is a perfect fit to the team!

Board of Advisors

Suzanne Gouin

Suzanne Gouin

Chair, Board of Management, Canada Revenue Agency

Suzanne is a seasoned Board Director with significant experience in Business transformation, Digital implementation, Governance, and Human Capital issues. She is Chair of the Board of Management of the Canada Revenue Agency, member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation of Greater Montreal, Hydro-Québec and l’Esplanade, and sits on various advisory committees. An experienced media executive who has been CEO of TV5 Québec Canada for more than 13 years, Suzanne also held various management positions in both the private and public sectors. She is a recipient of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic.

Jean-François Marcoux

Jean-François Marcoux

Managing Partner, White Star Capital

With a background in finance, Jean-François has 25 years of experience in managing start-ups and investment projects. He is co-founder and managing partner at White Star Capital, an investment firm that supports global founders building industry-defining businesses. A former co-founder of Ludia, he contributed to its growth and profitability, resulting in the Mobile Game Publisher being acquired by FremantleMedia. He has held senior positions in M&A, financing and venture capital in the media and technology sectors—notably for a large publicly-traded media group, a leading Canadian Investment Bank, and one of the largest institutional fund managers in Canada.

Stewart Roth

Stewart Roth

Former President, Guardian Chemicals Inc.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Stewart was President and CEO of Guardian Chemicals Inc., a leading Canadian researcher, developer, and manufacturer of industrial process specialty chemicals with six major divisions. He has extensive leadership experience across the North American health and chemical sectors and has held numerous senior executive and influential board positions. More recently, Stewart serves as Director of Glyconet - National Center of Excellence for Glycomics Research and Business Development.

Robert Waite

Robert Waite

Managing Director, Waite + Co.

Robert serves as Managing Director of Waite + Co., a strategic communications and marketing firm with offices in Boston, Ottawa and Toronto. He has over 30 years of experience leading communications, marketing, corporate social responsibility and government relations functions for some of Canada’s largest enterprises, including Ford of Canada, IBM Canada, CAE, CIBC and Canada Post. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved as Chair on several major committees. Robert began his career as a journalist, and he is currently a HuffPost Signature Contributor and a professor at Seneca College in Toronto.

Associations

Compost Council of Canada

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Canadian Plastics Industry Association

Canadian Plastics Industry Association

Flexible Packaging Association

ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association

ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association

Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec

Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec

Awards

Supplier of the Year - Industrial Products Category

Supplier of the Year - Industrial Products Category

2015

Outstanding Supplier Performance - Industrial Category

Outstanding Supplier Performance - Industrial Category

2016

Supplier of the Year - Cleaning and Hygiene Category

Supplier of the Year - Cleaning and Hygiene Category

2019

Vendor of the Year - Cleaning and Hygiene Prestige Category

Vendor of the Year - Cleaning and Hygiene Prestige Category

2020

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