Mike Suter helps CFR clients make practical business decisions rooted in real operating experience. Mike Suter brings a rare mix of printing industry leadership, financial background, and ownership perspective that is useful to companies in the print, packaging, and graphic communications industries that need clear direction on growth, succession, or operational improvement.
What Mike Brings to Clients
Mike has spent more than two decades in senior leadership and business ownership in the printing industry, along with more than a decade in financial services leadership. That combination gives him a grounded view of how companies run, where they get stuck, and what leaders need to address when they are trying to grow, improve margins, or prepare for a transition. He has worked across sales, print manufacturing, technology, finance, team development, and operational planning, which makes his advice practical rather than theoretical.
He is especially useful when a business needs an honest assessment of its current situation. His background includes helping companies think through succession planning, leadership transitions, recruiting senior executives, capital improvements, negotiations, and workflow efficiency. He tends to focus on what is workable, what needs fixing first, and how to align business goals with the people and structure needed to support them.
- Focus area: Mike’s strongest contribution area is helping owners and senior leaders plan for succession, improve operations, and prepare the business for its next stage.
- How he works: He uses direct conversations, careful needs assessment, and practical review of business operations to identify realistic next steps.
- What clients gain: Clients gain clarity on priorities, stronger execution, and a more informed path for growth, leadership transition, or sale readiness.
Relevant Experience in the Industry
Mike’s experience is closely tied to the printing business. He held leadership roles at Kempenfelt Graphics Group, including president, owner, vice president of operations, and sales manager. That range of responsibility matters because it means he has seen the business from multiple angles, including production, sales, and overall management.
Earlier in his career, he led Barrie Press Inc. as president, where he managed all aspects of a commercial printing company. His background also includes plant management and production coordination roles, giving him firsthand exposure to the operational side of print manufacturing. In addition, he provided consulting support to printing companies that needed restructuring, process improvement, and better alignment between technology and business operations.
Today, his work in mergers and acquisitions at CFR builds on that foundation. His financial services experience adds another useful layer, especially for owners dealing with business value, succession decisions, or exit planning.
How CFR Can Help
At CFR, Mike’s background fits naturally with strategic business consulting and mergers and acquisitions work. He can help owners evaluate operational issues, think through succession options, and prepare for a leadership handoff or sale. For companies that need stronger leadership structure or help identifying the right next executive, CFR’s recruiting and staffing services can also support the plan.
The value here is straightforward. Businesses often need a practical outside view before making a major decision. Mike helps bring that view into focus.
Connect with CFR
If you are working through growth questions, succession planning, or a possible transition, Contact CFR to start the conversation.
Image by Mike Suter
