Canada’s longest serving independent rep group, Ampersand Inc. will continue to focus on excellence in customer service while growing new markets
October 3, 2011 – Toronto – Today Kate Walker and Saffron Beckwith announce a name change for Kate Walker & Company Ltd. to Ampersand Canada’s Book and Gift Agency Inc. effective immediately. The company will continue to focus on growing existing markets and cultivating new opportunities.
“Kate Walker & Company Ltd. has a longstanding history in the book publishing industry, handling both international and Canadian publishers.” said Saffron Beckwith, Vice-President and partner. “The choice of ‘Ampersand Inc.’ reflects our company’s vision as we continue to connect, curate and champion our exemplary list of publishers and gift clients to a growing network of retailers, wholesalers and libraries across the country.”
“Ampersand Inc. is the next and logical evolution of a company that has been part of the book industry for over 50 years.” said Kate Walker. “As a part of the company since 1978, I have seen the tremendous growth and change within the publishing industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “
Ampersand Inc. (formerly Kate Walker & Company, Stanton & MacDougall, Douglas & McIntyre; and earliest as J.J. Douglas Agencies) has a legacy in Canada and through its national sales team, deep relationships with retailers, wholesalers and libraries across the country. In the last ten years, company people have won the Canadian Bookseller’s Libris Award for Rep of the Year more times than any other publisher or sales group in Canada.
Saffron Beckwith is charged with the possibilities that lie ahead, recognizing a growing demand by Canadian retailers for more options in the competitive market. “We will continue to service our longstanding customers, while representing companies in our gift division to give Canadian retailers, and ultimately Canadian customers, more choice,” says Beckwith.
With a fifty-year legacy, Ampersand Inc.is Canada’s longest standing independent rep group with offices in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa.
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For more information, please contact:
Saffron Beckwith
Ampersand Inc.
416 703 0666 x24
Corporate History:
Ampersand Inc., most recently known as Kate Walker & Company Ltd., evolved from a small company founded in 1957, to a national, commissioned sales agency that now handles many international as well as Canadian lines. Kate Walker, who joined the team in 1978 and bought the company in 1991, led the organization through a period of expansion, and in 2008 Saffron Beckwith became a partner.
The company has a national footprint with offices in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto, and prides itself in its diversity, size, and scope of accounts; serving both large and small organizations equally and, in 2000, created a gift division.
The success of Ampersand Inc. is due in part to the excellence and commitment of its staff – most of which have been with the company for more than ten years. Everyone is also proud to have several “Reps of the Year” as part of the team.
