Category: News

Press Release — The Zaf Group Partners with Storr

Posted on by Fidan

The Zaf Group Partners with Storr, Strengthening a Century-Old Legacy in North Carolina

Chicago, IL & Raleigh, NC — October 1, 2025 —

The Zaf Group (TZG), the family office of former GE, Motorola, Nortel, and Blackstone executive Mike Zafirovski and his wife Robin, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Storr Office Environments, one of the Southeast’s premier workplace solutions providers and among the largest Steelcase dealers in the United States.

Founded in 1914 and headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Storr has built more than a century of trust with clients through its long-standing partnership with Steelcase and its customer-first approach. In addition to offering high-performance office furniture and architectural products, Storr has steadily expanded its portfolio of workplace services — from strategy and design to move management, refurbishment, and ongoing facility support — while maintaining a strong culture of community engagement and charitable giving, upholding its simple guiding principle: “Do what’s right, do your best, and treat others as you would like to be treated”. These offerings are uniquely tailored to reduce complexity, extend the value of client investments, and ensure long-term satisfaction.

This partnership reflects TZG’s commitment to family- and founder-led businesses with enduring values and a long-term vision. Together, TZG and Storr will focus on continuity, stability, and investment in people — strengthening the foundation that has made Storr a trusted partner for generations, while equipping the company for its next chapter of growth.

Mike Zafirovski

“Storr is a remarkable company — not just for its legacy of charity in the community, but for its outstanding team, deep customer relationships, and unwavering values,” said Mike Zafirovski, Founder and Chairman of The Zaf Group.

“We are honored to partner with Tom, the Storr leadership, and the broader Storr team. Our goal is to support and enhance what already works, elevating the organization’s capabilities while preserving its strong cultural foundation.”

“Partnering with TZG allows us to preserve the authentic Storr experience while unlocking new opportunities for growth,” said Tom Vande Guchte, CEO of Storr.

“Mike and his team understand the dynamics of family-led businesses, and we’re excited to see how this collaboration will strengthen our ability to serve clients, invest in our people, continue our tradition of giving back to the community, and stay true to our heritage.”

Tom Vande Guchte CEO of Storr

For TZG, this marks another step in its values-based strategy to grow exceptional companies. Following its successful partnership with ACP CreativIT — a rapidly expanding U.S. IT solutions provider — and the transition of ABCO Systems earlier in 2025, TZG remains committed to building long-term value by investing in great teams, strong cultures, and sustainable growth strategies.

Together, TZG and Storr will continue to deliver the deep-rooted client partnerships, local presence, community commitment, and exceptional service that have defined Storr’s history — now reinforced by TZG’s resources, network, and long-term perspective.

About The Zaf Group (TZG)

The Zaf Group is a family office established by Mike Zafirovski and his wife Robin, dedicated to partnering and growing family- and founder-led businesses with a long-term mindset. Its portfolio includes ACP CreativIT (IT solutions), the recently transitioned ABCO Systems (systems integrator), and now Storr (office & workplace solutions). TZG’s mission is to build great companies guided by values-based leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to people development.
Learn more at www.thezafgroup.com

About Storr

Founded in 1914, Storr Office Environments is a trusted leader in workplace solutions across North Carolina and the Southeast. As a premier Steelcase dealer, Storr provides high-performance office furniture, architectural products, and a complete range of services tailored to customer needs — including Workplace Strategy and Design, Office Relocation and Reconfiguration, Furniture Repair and Refurbishment, Facility Maintenance and Day-Two Support, Records Management, PreOwned Furniture Solutions, Cleaning and Sanitization Services, Delivery and Installation, and Secure Storage.

Storr’s century-long success is rooted in its customer-first approach and strong charitable commitments: every solution is designed to simplify complexity, maximize value, and strengthen both client partnerships and the broader community.
Learn more at www.storr.com

ABCO Systems to Begin New Chapter with Element Logic Following Successful Run with The Zaf Group

Posted on by Fidan

The Zaf Group is pleased to announce the sale of ABCO Systems, a leading provider of material handling solutions, to Element Logic, a strategic acquirer specializing in warehouse optimization technologies. This transaction marks an exciting milestone for ABCO and positions the business, its employees, and its customers for continued growth, innovation, and long-term success.

The sale reflects The Zaf Group’s commitment to building enduring companies, and where necessary, identifying strong partners to lead them through their next phase of evolution.

“It has been a true privilege to partner with ABCO over the past five years.” said Mike Zafirovski, Chairman and CEO of The Zaf Group. “The people and the culture are what make this company so special, and we’ve been constantly inspired by the team’s passion, resilience, and commitment to excellence. As stewards of the business, our goal was always to support its long-term growth and to invest in its people. We’re incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and have full confidence that the Element Logic team will continue to build on this foundation and take the company to even greater heights.”

During its partnership with The Zaf Group, ABCO experienced substantial growth and transformation, including:

• Doubled the size of company while maintaining a strong company culture and employee engagement, earning “Best Places to Work in NJ” recognition for three consecutive years


• Achieved significant growth through disciplined execution, market-driven solutions, and strategic geographic expansion via multiple new office locations


• Relocated its headquarters to a new, modern facility featuring a state-of-the-art showroom

These achievements are a testament to the strength of ABCO’s leadership team, the dedication of its employees combined with the long-term investment philosophy and value creating capabilities of The Zaf Group. The leadership team is immensely proud of the growth they’ve achieved together and is energized by the opportunities that lie ahead with Element.

“We are proud to have partnered with The Zaf Group over the past five years,” said Seth Weisberg, CEO of ABCO Systems. “Through smart growth, a relentless focus on customers, and a deep investment in people and infrastructure, the team has built an exceptional platform. We are confident that our new partnership with Element Logic will build on this momentum and allow us to continue to lead in the material handling solutions industry.”

“This is more than an acquisition – it is a perfect fit. ABCO’s strong commercial presence, complementary solutions, and customer-first approach are fully aligned with our values. By combining our strengths, we are empowering customers to optimize performance through holistic warehouse automation solutions that scale with their needs.” Krish Nathan, CEO – Element Logic Americas.

The Zaf Group would also like to thank Stillwater Capital for their partnership and guidance throughout the transaction process. Their thoughtful approach and industry expertise were instrumental in identifying the right strategic partner to carry ABCO Systems forward.

About ABCO Systems:

ABCO Systems is a full-service systems integrator specializing in end-to-end material handling and automation solutions. They design, build, and support scalable systems that combine racking, mezzanines, conveyors, sortation, robotics, pick modules, and more – tailored to the unique needs of each facility.

As consumer demand accelerates and supply chains grow more complex, ABCO helps businesses stay competitive by integrating smart, flexible technologies that streamline every stage of warehouse operations – from order picking and packing to storage and fulfillment. Their solutions are built through trusted partnerships with leading automation and storage manufacturers, ensuring long-term performance and ROI.

Whether modernizing existing infrastructure or developing a new distribution center, ABCO Systems is committed to guiding clients through every stage of the process – from concept and engineering to installation and ongoing support. Delivering systems and building lasting solutions.

About Element Logic®

Element Logic optimizes warehouse performance through cutting-edge technology, AI-driven software, and tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Element Logic is a global technology company founded in 1985, with more than 900 employees across 30 countries specializing in intelligent warehouse automation, and it’s the world’s first and largest AutoStore partner.

With a strong heritage rooted in innovation, Element Logic empowers businesses across industries to maximize success by automating workflows and improving logistics operations. Their unique combination of expertise, proven track record, and commitment to both, people and technology, make them the preferred partner for warehouses aiming to gain a competitive edge.

At Element Logic®, people are the greatest resource. It is their bravery, passion, and reliability values that enables them to deliver smarter solutions for their customers to succeed. Optimizing warehouse performance is not just a slogan – it is their mission.

Learn more at www.elementlogic.us and follow them on LinkedIn and YouTube. 

About Stillwater Capital:

Stillwater Capital is one of North America’s leading mid-market M&A advisors, having completed over 120 transactions in the past 20 years. Stillwater is dedicated to entrepreneurs and is singularly focused on generating outstanding outcomes for clients as they divest or acquire. Learn more at https://stillwatercapital.ca/

ACP CreativIT Acquires Mindsight

Posted on by ZafGroup

EDITOR’S NOTE:
ACP CreativIT has since rebranded as Tusker. This article reflects the company name at the time of publication.

📢 Exciting Growth Milestone for ACP CreativIT!

We’re proud to share that ACP CreativIT, a key portfolio company of The Zaf Group, has acquired Mindsight, a Chicago-based IT consulting firm renowned for its expertise in Cisco technology, cloud services, cybersecurity, and managed services.

This strategic bolt-on acquisition enhances ACP CreativIT’s capabilities in delivering robust, high-performance IT infrastructure solutions while expanding their footprint in the greater Chicago region. Mindsight’s strong reputation and commitment to excellence align perfectly with ACP’s mission to provide best-in-class technology solutions to clients nationwide.

This marks ACP CreativIT’s fourth successful acquisition, reflecting their continued focus on strategic growth and customer-centric innovation.

Join us in welcoming the Mindsight team to the ACP family and celebrating this exciting new chapter! 🚀

👉 Learn more here: https://acpcreativit.com/post/acp-creativit-strengthens-expertise-and-service-offerings-with-the-acquisition-of-mindsight

New ACP CreativIT CEO Matt Zafirovski: We’re Investing To Drive Growth 

Posted on by piksel_dev

EDITOR’S NOTE:
ACP CreativIT has since rebranded as Tusker. This article reflects the company name at the time of publication.

‘We are long term-oriented and are continuing to hire and grow our headcount as we build a dynamic platform from the four terrific companies that we have bought,’ says new ACP CreativIT CEO Matt Zafirovski. ‘We continue to invest to grow!’

New ACP CreativIT CEO Matt Zafirovski said the fast-growing $300-million company is continuing to invest to fuel growth through both acquisitions and its next-generation national technology solutions and services platform.

“We are long term-oriented and are continuing to hire and grow our headcount as we build a dynamic platform from the four terrific companies that we have bought,” said Zafirovski, who is continuing to evaluate mergers and acquisitions as the company builds out its national next generation services platform. “We continue to invest to grow! With our geographic expansion we now have a viable platform to deliver business outcomes with managed services, security, cloud and infrastructure services anywhere in the country.”….

https://www.crn.com/news/cloud/new-acp-creativit-ceo-matt-zafirovski-we-re-investing-to-drive-growth

ACP CreativIT Appoints Matt Zafirovski as New CEO

Posted on by piksel_dev

EDITOR’S NOTE:
ACP CreativIT has since rebranded as Tusker. This article reflects the company name at the time of publication.

Buffalo Grove, Ill., Oct. 24, 2022 – ACP CreativIT, parent company of ACP, Camera Corner Connecting Point, Citon and Versatile, announced that its Board of Directors has chosen Matt Zafirovski as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Zafirovski, who currently serves as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, succeeds Scott Dunsire.

“The Board and I are very excited for what the future holds for ACP CreativIT,” said Mike Zafirovski, executive chairman of ACP CreativIT and the founder of The Zaf Group. “Matt has a record of strong leadership experiences and delivering results in an array of industries. He embodies the customer- oriented and people-first approach that has made these companies great.”

“I am thrilled to lead this exceptional organization, which is comprised of four really special companies filled with amazing, talented and dedicated people,” said Matt Zafirovski. “We work incredibly hard every day to bring the best of integrated technology solutions and services to our customers. We are an emerging leader in a rapidly growing market and our customers need the expertise and breadth of solutions that we bring to bear.”

Zafirovski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Duke University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, held various management roles as a vice president for Groupon International – including co-founding and leading its business in South Korea, and was director of The Napa Valley Reserve. He is very involved civically, including serving on the board of directors and executive committee of the Golden Apple Foundation.

Board Member and CCCP CEO Rick Chernick said, “Our business is in a great position and I look forward to our future growth under Matt’s direction. We are fortunate to have many of the original owners of our businesses still in significant leadership roles, including Steven Dastoor and Sean Dean from Citon, John Barker & Kevin Meany from Versatile, Darren Wesley from ACP, and my son Ryan Chernick and me from CCCP. We will continue to work together to grow our portfolio and profitability, while never losing sight of our values and most important assets—our people, our customers and our vendor partners.”

Mike Zafirovski spoke to Dunsire’s tenure as CEO, “Scott did a terrific job of leading us over this past five years as we grew the business organically and via acquisition, while always respecting our people and their valued contributions.”

Rick Chernick added, “I wish Scott the best in his next move. He is and always will be my friend.”

Zafirovski takes the helm of ACP during a period of rapid expansion. Over the last five years ACP increased its revenue from $70M to over $300M, increased its employee count from 65 to over 330 and made three strategic acquisitions that increased its depth of capabilities as well as geographic coverage, to better support its customers.

About ACP CreativIT

ACP CreativIT is focused on delivering business outcomes and providing long-standing solutions to its customers that incorporates world-class technology. The organization is a rapidly growing IT, managed service and AV solution and services provider, rooted in the Midwest with emerging presence and reach in the Northeast and Southeast regions. ACP CreativIT is focused on helping customers transform their businesses digitally and boosting their productivity, security, and collaboration.

https://acpcreativit.com/post/acp-creativit-appoints-matt-zafirovski-as-new-ceo/

The Zaf Group’s Mike Zafirovski Interview With Steven Burke From CRN

Posted on by piksel_dev

The Ephiphany That Led To ACP CreativIT’s Fast Growth Buildout

When Mike Zafirovski was acting as an executive advisor for private equity behemoth The Blackstone Group he had an epiphany.

“The epiphany I had six years ago was that I was making decisions to simply optimize the short term returns (of companies),” said Zafirovski, the former CEO of Nortel Networks and a 47-year technology veteran that held high-level executive positions at Motorola and General Electric, in an interview with CRN. “So the initial thesis for The Zaf Group was to acquire several well-run family businesses and keep them in perpetuity. So they will be around 50 to 100 years from now- after my lifetime. We are in the business of identifying companies that are well run and that the most strategic players would love to buy.”

That epiphany led to the creation of The Zaf Group, which has made four solution provider acquisitions over the last five years that have established ACPCreativIT- the umbrella company- as one of the fastest-growing national providers in the country.

“We have quadrupled (the size of the business) since we made the first acquisition,” said Zafirovski, founder of The Zaf Group and executive chairman of ACP CreativIT, reflecting on the journey that has put ACP CreativIT on the map as a $300 million solution provider powerhouse. “Half of that has come from acquisitions and the other half from organic growth.”

The latest acquisition came in July when ACP CreativIT added Versatile Communications, a 28-year-old Hudson, Mass headquartered solution provider to its roster.

The Zaf Group and ACP CreativIT’s mission to preserve these solution provider businesses “in perpetuity” working hand in hand with the founders is resonating with solution providers, says Zafirovski, who emigrated from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a teenager and became a much sought after technology executive.

“Private equity firms would also have loved to buy ACP,” said Zafirovski. “But there was a level of hesitation (from ACP) because there was a concern that they would get absorbed and a lot of the cultural values that brought the company to this point in time would disappear. There was also concerns that if you sell to private equity the business would get reconfigured and sold off as quickly as possible.”

The Zaf Group’s long term focus is paying off for owners and customers, said Zafirovski. “I believe the long term commitment to employees and customers is a recipe for significant success,” he said. “This is an employee first and customer first organization.”

Read the whole interview here:https://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/the-zaf-group-s-mike-zafirovski-on-why-in-perpetuity-ownership-is-driving-acp-creativit-acqusitions/1

We are excited to announce the official opening of our Skopje office!

Posted on by piksel_dev

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” – Plato

We are excited to announce the official opening of our Skopje office! It’s time for new beginnings, new connections, new challenges.

The small “cutting the tape” ceremony by our founder Mike Zafirovski was followed by a relaxed cocktail party, reconnecting of old friends, as well as making new ones.
We truly believe it’s time to reverse the trends and reconnect the people, while keeping that cozy “home feeling” in the workspace. So, we completely redesigned and refurbished the office space with one motto on our minds – “Bring the home office to the office!”.

Our doors are open! Welcome!

Originally posted on TZG Europe Facebook page