Chuck Mache has spent more than 25 years selling, managing, building and leading sales organizations in various types of industries from the mortgage industry to the home warranty industry. And sales is exactly what led him to the printing business.
Looking for a new challenge, Mache joined the Board of Directors at American TonerServ (ATS)—a small company located in his hometown of Santa Rosa, Calif., where today, he serves as CEO.
Here, Mache offers insight about himself, his business philosophy and the future of ATS.
Print Professional (PP): Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up, what school did you attend?
Chuck Mache (CM): I am a tried-and-true Northern Californian and was raised in the idyllic Sonoma county town of Santa Rosa, which is where I continue to live and run my business today. I received my undergraduate degree in communications in 1980 from Cal State University in Chico, Calif.
PP: Describe your business style.
CM: There are several words to describe my business style, or at least to describe how I strive to conduct my business: hard-hitting, innovative, uncompromising, motivational. My overarching goal is to help the individuals within the companies I am involved with to understand who they are, determine what they want to become, customize their path to breakthrough achievement and make some positive changes. I find that having my colleagues focus on these very personal questions—in contrast to adopting a strictly hands-off, impersonal approach—helps drive companies forward.
PP: What do you think is the most exciting, cutting-edge thing your company is doing right now?
CM: Everyone at ATS is challenging themselves to establish our company as the brand of choice in the compatibles market as Hewlett Packard is in the OEM market. We're doing this because our line of compatible toner products can not only save businesses valuable dollars, but can also help to save the environment. How amazing is it to think with every compatible toner cartridge purchased, one half pound of waste is kept out of landfills?
PP: What do you think will be the printing industry's biggest challenge in the next few years?
CM: Competing with the universe of new options introduced by the digital age. We are currently witnessing a shift in the technologies of communication unrivaled since the era of Gutenberg's first printing press. Companies need to be reminded that just because the bulk of their business may be migrating onto the Web—or having their computing needs shifted to the "cloud"—they should not neglect the print side of their business. ... We are nowhere near the ideal of the "paperless office" as it was envisioned many years ago. Significant cost savings on the print side of a business can be achieved by focusing on new solutions such as those that ATS can help realize.
PP: What is the best part of your business day?
CM: The best part of my business day is the first minute. It's a chance to start the day with fresh footing. I always look ahead eagerly to the opportunity to tackle any new challenges that may lie ahead.
PP: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
CM: I am an avid exerciser. Working out six days per week is a passion that I developed almost 10 years ago. I lift weights and do cardio six days per week. I also am a black belt in Kenpo Karate and continue to train on the heavy bag on a regular basis. I tend to find my serenity in a pool of sweat. Also, I am a dog lover. Just ask my yellow lab (he's really white) Charlee. We spend a lot of time together.