MEET OUR
The team that makes Extraordinary Exits possible
Jay Tapp
Managing Director & Partner
Jay Tapp is an accomplished international business leader, sustainability advocate, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in plastics & polymers, packaging, printing, and paper. Recognized globally as a thought leader in circular economy packaging, polymer design, and manufacturing workflow engineering, he has founded four businesses and has been instrumental in pioneering disruptive and sustainable innovations, as well as scaling businesses. He brings his expertise and proven track record of successfully building companies to STS as Managing Director and Partner.
After earning an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree, Jay launched his career with greenfield start-ups for the billion-dollar Lawson Mardon Group. While in the UK, he mastered process mapping, manufacturing best practices, and personnel training, later applying these skills in Canada and the U.S. Career milestones include turning around LMG Cambridge in the UK, acquiring Toronto’s largest competitor, and achieving profitability for a New Jersey greenfield operation within three months.
As founder of Tapp Label Technologies, Jay led the North American wine industry’s transition to pressure-sensitive labels, earning over 130 international awards for printing excellence, including “Best of Show” at the World Label Association Awards. At Meritage Specialty Packaging, he developed disruptive packaging technologies, including the sustainability-inspired Excelsior™ tube container (extreme lightweight and novel manufacturing system) and think4D™ thermoforming graphics in 3D, both as the founder of Meritage Specialty Packaging.
Jay is Chair of the global YPO Plastics & Polymer Business Network, Champion of the YPO Global Impact Report, and a Director of the Sustainable Business Network, driving innovation and best practices worldwide. An active member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) for 25 years, he has also contributed to the Excos of chapters across BC, Utah, and Chicago, as well as serving on the Global Business Network Council.
A lifelong learner, with a keen interest and focus on Operations Excellence and Continuous Improvement, Jay’s advanced education spans M&A, manufacturing strategy, and lean leadership from London Business School, as well as competitive strategy (Porter), new product development (Cooper), and continuous improvement (Deming).
Outside of business, Jay represented Canada as a competitive swimmer for a decade, winning Gold at the Commonwealth Games and earning induction into the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame. Today, he continues to compete in Masters Swimming events globally.
