an added value
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a n n ua l r e p o r t
Cargo Transportation Supply Chain Management
Our core Business To be the one-stop-shop for our clients to create added value
OUR mission
profile Mercator Transport Group specializes in freight forwarding, international logistics and distribution. With offices in Montreal, Canada; Las Vegas, USA; and Lyon, France, Mercator Transport Group offers high-value-added services in global supply chain management and designs tailor-made solutions. Its customer relationships and its collaborators’ commitment are what differentiates the Group in its ability to implement customers’ requirements. Mercator Transport Group offers global supply chain management, designs and provides logistics solutions, manages documents, regulations, transportation, customs transactions and the movement of its customers’ merchandise. Revenues are generated from the billing of these services.
mission Our mission is to provide single-source logistics solutions to our clients. We develop and implement creative solutions that efficiently meet all of our clients’ international trade, distribution and logistics needs and requirements.
Inside Highlights Messages to Shareholders Logistics Divisions Strategic Overview International Transport 4 Challenges Distribution 3 Strategic Objectives Create Value Human Resources Governance Board of Directors Investor Information
2 4 6 7 9 10 13 14 16 20 22 23 24
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Zoom Mercator Industrial Projects Mercator Las Vegas To be at the core of our customer
30%
17 19 21
highlights
70%
Mercator Transport Group’s revenue has grown by for the year 2008-09 quarterly Revenue growth
8,351
(in thousands of dollars)
6,820
1,325
1,905 1,388 1,683
Q2-06
Q3-06
Q4-06
Q1-07
2,879 2,414 2,760
Q2-07
Q3-07
Q4-07
3,719
Q1-08
4,007 4,021
Q2-08
Q3-08
6,196
6,818
4,802
Q4-08
Q1-09
Q2-09
Q3-09
Q4-09
3 historical financial Information
2006
2007
2008
2009
(in thousands of dollars)
Total
Total
Total
Total
(10 months)
(12 months)
(12 months)
(12 months)
Revenue EBITDA (1) Net earnings (losses)
4,776 219 158
9,958 (244) (166)
16,549 (436) (407)
28,185 558 224
Net earnings (losses) per share (in dollars) Basic and diluted
(0,009)
(0,015)
0,008
554 (674)
629 (74)
862 551
Cash and cash equivalents Free cash flows (1)
132 87
Mercator Transport Group has improved its EBITDA(1) by
$1 million Globally, logistics activities are valued at US$6,800 billion or 13.8% of global GDP *
Non-GAAP measure as defined on page 4 of the Management Discussion and Analysis 2009 available in the Investor Relations section of our web site at www.corporationgmt.com. (1)
* Source: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/overview/doc/ 2006_06_28_communication_fr.pdf
messages to shareholders
4 Since joining Mercator Transport Group Corporation’s Board of Directors last November, I have been able to appreciate the breadth of knowledge of the executive team led by CEO Jean-Pierre Apélian. I have also witnessed the team’s strong customer focus, which, in the Board’s view, is one of the most critical factors behind Mercator’s success in acquiring market share and delivering on its promises to some of the most demanding customers in the world. As Chairman of the Board, I can say the Board has full confidence in the executive team’s ability to implement on the company’s strategy. The Board has worked to build a governance system that will continue to improve. Going forward, the Board will concentrate even more on strategies aimed at ensuring that Mercator Transport Group Corporation continues to create value for its shareholders in terms of growth and profitability in the strategic areas of business, as outlined in the CEO’s letter.
william Spurr Chairman of the board
5 First and foremost, I would like to give a warm thank you to all of Mercator Transport Group’s shareholders for their support and contribution, without which our position as TSX Venture issuer would not be what it is today, and which is so essential to the Group’s strong continued growth. Mercator Transport Group sales figures reached $28.2 million in 2009, a 70% increase from 2008 results. EBITDA reached $558,000, up $1 million from fiscal 2008. This performance is an outgrowth of the very smooth running of Mercator Transport Group’s core business activities. It is also the result of healthy organic growth and the increase of our service offer, which notably materialized through complete chartering of six 747 cargo planes to Africa under the purview of our new subsidiary, Mercator Industrial Projects Inc. With the upcoming fiscal year, our objective is set on building the groundwork around the following three development strategies: 1. Increasing our service offer True to our mission, our priority is to offer the widest possible range of services to our customers, to be a one-stop shop covering all logistics needs required for successful commercial dealings. We want our customers to rely on us not only for transport, but also with respect to all transport-derived or related matters. 2. Enlarging our network All our transactions involve around-the-globe movement, originating in one country, coming full circle in another. Considering the unique nature of our business, we have as a prime objective to do all that is within our power to come up with a coherent pipeline of services, offering a seamless quality of services to our customers. Every step of the way, every transaction is conducted with impeccable smoothness; no obstacles should get in the way of our customers’ business. 3. Expanding geographically When an origin or a destination point turns into strategic challenge, our objective is to set course towards gaining physical footing in the area, to open up new markets. As Las Vegas was turning into such a challenge, we chose to create Mercator Vegas to increase responsiveness to customer needs in the area, to meet expectations regarding the service quality and offer. As Europe and Africa are also emerging as a major challenge to our customers, we are now working on strengthening our links with Europe by the acquisition of a logistics company in Lyon (France) and Africa by targetting the opening of a new office, all the while staying in tune with our unique standards as Montrealers. Due to the strength in the diversity of our activities and healthy financial structure, we are confident in our capacity to achieve good results and pursue our long-term development strategy. I conclude by taking the time to thank all our employees for their ongoing efforts in satisfying all of our customers, which is so essential to our growth. Mercator Transport Group is indeed a service business, the sole raison d’être of which is to be responsive to our customers, and every day, our employees make every effort to listen to customer needs, understand their expectations and accomplish what is most important to them. The key to our success lies in our constant pursuit of excellence and each of our employees plays a leading part in getting us there.
Jean-Pierre Apélian president and chief Executive Officer
Logistics Divisions
international transport division ocean Consolidation
Full Container
Consolidation
Direct Shipment
Consolidation
Full Load
Break Bulk
Ship Chartering
Air Chartering
Over Dimensional
air
transborder industrial projects
customs clearance
warehousing
products Industrial Sector
Break Bulk
Automotive Sector
distribution division
Heavy Lift Cargo
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STRATEGIC OVERVIEW Significant growth potential through two strategic worlds On one hand, the international transport division of Mercator Transport International involves volume activities in growing markets, within which the Group chooses the most dynamic segments. On the other hand, the distribution division activities of Mercator Global Services are developing in stable, mature markets. By bringing these two complementary universes together, the Mercator Transport Group has achieved a balance that explains the above-average growth in its markets.
Revenues by activity international Transport
83% 17%
Distribution
The Mercator Transport Group has positioned itself in two interrelated sectors: international transport and distribution. This unique positioning reflects the spirit of the Group and its strategic choices, setting it apart from the competition and giving it a particularly attractive profile.
6:30 pm ... Port of Ste-Catherine, Quebec, Canada ... Delivery of 50Â containers loaded with construction material from WESTERN CANADA to Iqaluit, nunavut to finalize airport hangars
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International Transport significant growth potential Free of resource management constraints, Mercator Transport International applies its diverse knowledge and know-how in the introduction of efficient solutions to ensure smooth and secure exchanges for its clients, who are increasingly involved in strategic and complex international activities.
acting as an extension of our clients’ business by providing logistics services Through its various functions, Mercator Transport International positions itself as the chief architect and principal contractor for the international supply chains of its clients by : developing and organizing transport solutions involving logistics, warehousing, upstream and downstream distribution activities; selecting and coordinating the work of a network of high-quality sub contractors; taking ownership of clients’ logistics requirements from end to end. Succeeding means rising to our clients’ challenges every day, earning their trust over the long term and reinventing solutions for every operation carried out, in order to meet objectives.
Revenues by transportation mode ocean freight
projects
air freight
other
54% 9%
transborder
9%
19% 5%
mercator
TRA N S P ORT I N TER N AT I O N A L I N C .
Control the transport and logistics chain from beginning to end, regardless of what so ever the cargoes, their origin or their destination.
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international transport challenges Whether they are urgent, perishable, heavy, fragile, rare, unexpected or far away, we know how to develop elaborate solutions to optimize our clients’ merchandise flows.
door-to-door global coordination
the emergency
tailor-made
There are times where we must react quickly. Delivering cargo for our clients for a trade show requires particular expertise and know-how.
Some cargo falls outside standards, thus creating a need for tailor-made solutions.
globaLIzATION
perishable
Being our clients’ logistics extension also means moving cargo door-to-door, regardless of location.
Perishable means maintaining the cold chain and our team keeps this in mind when moving perishable road cargo.
2:40 pm ... a purchase order at our absorbents warehouse received from an autosense member ... for a delivery in Prince george, British-Columbia
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distribution significant growth potential Thanks to our know-how in each of its areas and expertise in its markets, Mercator Global Services has enjoyed a stretch of remarkable growth. Mercator Global Services stands out from the crowd through its service offer, the improvement of its operational mechanisms (warehouses, information systems, etc.) and its rapid supply chain. Two of the focuses of Mercator Global Services’ growth strategy are the North American and European markets. Mercator Global Services, a one-stop shop, delivers a strong value-added distribution and supply solutions. Our objective is to get our clients to rely on our commitment and efficiency, so that we can become one of their strategic components both in distribution and supply.
Distribution Inc. in December 2007 acquisition price $311,500 outcome Foundation of the Distribution division. Successfully integrated.
31%
sales growth * * Mercator Global Services reached 31% sales growth for the year 2008-09 in comparison with the combined revenue of Cap Canada Distribution Inc. and Mercator Global Services for the previous year. This material increase is mainly due to strong organic growth and the addition of new products to the existing network.
(in thousands of dollars)
acquisition Assets of Cap Canada
revenue
flashback
We aim to help rationalize and improve our clients’ overall purchasing costs by adjusting our other lines of products and by continuously improving the performance of our logistics platform and distribution infrastructure. We also set out to offer our clients the products and services they want, when and where they want them.
mercator global
services
in c .
Mercator Global Services is an international company that focuses on strong value-added distribution and supply solutions. To foster client loyalty you need to anticipate, understand and respond to their needs with consistency.
strategic  objectives
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PURSUING our development Our competitive advantage: putting the client at the centre of the company. For the Mercator Transport Group, it’s also reinforcing a crucial link in any company: its supply chain. We aspire to create value for our clients by becoming a trusted partner that turns their logistics into a true competitive advantage.
create value throughout our service offer Our daily objective is to be an exceptional partner for our clients, using our service offer in order to improve their logistics into a true competitive advantage.
The Group’s innovative solutions go further than traditional services, because they add value to services and increase efficiency throughout the supply chain.
Our network to position ourselves for the future Our objective is to help our clients succeed in their business. Our growth stems from our contribution to theirs.
Standing out through our
Human resources Our culture of performance and our ambitions for growth is embodied by many men and women, who are entrepreneurs, first and foremost.
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create value
throughout our service offer Our mission is to provide single-source logistics solutions to our clients. We do this by developing and implementing creative solutions that efficiently meet all of our clients’ international trade, distribution and logistics needs and requirements.
Listening to our clients, understanding their needs and living up to their expectations is Mercator Transport Group’s strength.
The cradle of our organic growth opportunities comes from the mutual trust cultivated by this partnership’s spirit. It all begins with ensuring our clients’ loyalty, as loyalty instills a rocksolid developmental base.
OUR know-how : tailor-made solutions The Mercator Transport Group’s innovative solutions exceed so-called traditional services by adding value and increasing efficiency throughout the supply chain. Our integrated solutions cover the entire supply chain spectrum, from the administrative management of purchases at one end to distribution and final delivery at the other. Mercator Transport Group has a global vision, being responsive to each client. Our decisions are made close to the field, which ensures that our services are suited to our clients. The Group has distinguished itself from the rest of the market with the quality of its services. Through its creativity, know-how and tailored solutions, the Mercator Transport Group also focuses on achieving economies of scale for its clients. Our main objective is to build long-term relationships by becoming an extension of our clients’ logistics activities.
zoom mercator industrial projects Cultivating client relationships is at the heart of our philosophy. It is the primary engine of the internal growth of our Group. This is why it is essential to create strong and lasting partnerships with our clients. They are at the centre of our organization, our preoccupations and our decisions, with a single objective: to permanently improve the quality of our services to enhance their performance. The culture of Mercator Projects and its vision of the future, its capacity to integrate and manage international tailor-made transport operations and to supply a wide array of innovative services while guaranteeing a cost reduction to make the difference. This is why the new division was awarded a contract to charter six Boeing 747 aircrafts from Canada and Europe to Africa.
6:45 am ... Schiphol Amsterdam airport ... 747-300 Chartered by Mercator Industrial Projects ... transports 98 tons of telecommunication material from Europe to Africa
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our network
to position ourselves for the future A strategic asset: valuing our suppliers
Sharing the same requirements to pursue the same objectives.
To maintain our independence and be able to choose only the best and most reliable partners, the Mercator Transport Group has a portfolio of numerous quality suppliers. This advantage allows us to outsource technically competent subcontractors at the best quality/cost ratio. To meet the demand of clients, the Group has a broad knowledge base. Consolidating, optimizing and rationalizing to achieve better performance in a competitive market can be done only with the support and partnership of our suppliers. Accompanying them in their vision and helping them accompany us in ours is key. This inspired approach has set Mercator Transport Group apart from the competition.
A strategic asset: Our international network By associating itself with large networks of independent transport representatives, the Mercator Transport Group can offer its clients a reliable group of service providers able to satisfy a wide range of logistics requirements. Our extensive worldwide coverage and multimodal operating capacity enable us to offer a broader range of services, and our customized solutions promote maximum flexibility and high standards adapted to the varying needs of our clients.
zoom mercator vegas Organic growth with an emphasis on overseas activities portrays the foundation of the Group’s developmental structure. From raw material supplier to end user, through the production and inventory process, a well-organized supply chain is essential to the success of our clientele. Our door-to-door transportation solution, both integrated and concise, is designed to make our clients’ lives simpler and easier. It is with this international growth perspective and our capacity to respond to particular needs and expectations, while in constant evolution, that Mercator Vegas was created. In an ever-expanding city where unique job-sites and construction projects follow back-to-back, Mercator Transport Group’s logistic services have been employed to manage diverse supply chain components of various projects, namely at Wynn Encore and MGM City Center sites.
11:36 am ... Los Angeles airport ... air freight of 30 tons of specially crafted marble ... Express delivery from Indonesia to Las Vegas site
20 Standing out through our
human resources
As part of its ambitious growth plan, the Mercator Transport Group must also welcome and integrate new talent that shares the same constructive attitude, and encourage individual ambition and aspirations.
team spirit
Talent and motivation are what differentiates the Group’s exceptional journey from traditional growth.
Team spirit is a must in all of our operations, our business units and support functions, as well as on our management committees. Each person’s skills combine with other team members’ knowledge to help ensure Mercator Transport Group is a success. Teamwork depends on listening, transparency, respect for others, diversity, solidarity in implementing major decisions, respect for rules and mutual support, particularly in difficult times.
spirit of progress We demonstrate the spirit of progress through: our will, but also the firm belief that a situation can always be improved; acceptance of our performance evaluations, which compare us with our colleagues or competitors; self-evaluation, because understanding one’s successes as well as one’s failures is fundamental to continuous improvement; a balance between ambition and humility; optimism: the belief that for every problem there is a solution, an innovation or an improvement to be made.
spirit of service Clients are at the centre of everything we do. In order to serve them well, we have to demonstrate our openness and availability, our ability to listen, our capacity to anticipate their expectations, our sense of conviviality, our responsiveness to their feedback and our pride in satisfying them, on a daily basis and at all levels.
zoom To be at the core of our customer The Mercator Transport Group’s commitment to distinguishing itself is reflected by a mindset that calls for adopting the highest standards as a means of offering our clients reliable and innovative solutions. We promise to adhere to established processes and procedures to help reduce error margins through the introduction of best industry practices and their communication throughout the organization.
The Keys to a partnership Expertise that proves itself daily, stable teams perfectly integrated, available and flexible, ongoing dialogue with clients and an excellent technical knowledge of logistics... These are some of the many qualities shared by our employees working directly at the clients’ sites, where logistics is of the utmost importance. Dependable ambassadors of the Group, they have built trusting relationships with our clients month after month, by understanding and anticipating their expectations and enlarging the array of activities entrusted to Mercator Transport Group.
5:35 pm ... an emergency call from a manufacturer ... the production chain is stopped ... one of our employees takes the first flight to hand-deliver a replacement part
22 With regard to corporate governance, the Mercator Transport Group has adopted strict practices that the Board of Directors and senior management consider essential to the company’s success and to increasing shareholder value. Common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
We are committed to supporting the primary goal of Mercator Transport Group’s senior management, which is to ensure continued growth and enrichment of shareholder value.
governance The strength of the Mercator Transport Group’s governance approach rests in the independence of the Board of Directors. Made up of autonomous and well-informed directors, the Board prioritizes strategic planning and ensures that established standards promote adherence to the Code of Ethics throughout the company while favouring the ongoing improvement of governance practices. These practices are consolidated throughout the Group, primarily due to an active governance culture that integrates the most advanced standards. This corporate culture notably permeates the Mercator Transport Group, from the office of the Chairman of the Board of Directors (who is not a member of senior management) to the Group’s subsidiaries.
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The objectives of the Board of Directors, the Mercator Transport Group’s strategic bulwark, are the sustainable development of the company’s value, the adoption of primary orientations to steer management, the verification of the accuracy of corporate information, and the safeguarding of the company’s assets.
Board of directors
Within the framework of its mission, the Board of Directors undertakes to support the goals and objectives of the Mercator Transport Group’s management team, which remains, as always, dedicated to the continued growth of the Group and the steadfast appreciation of its shareholders’ value. The Board’s strategic reflection concerns the long-term development of the company’s professional vocation, growth opportunities in Mercator Transport Group’s major markets, and the company’s positioning vis-à-vis its competition. The Board of Directors’ capacity for reinventing itself is not only a source of creative originality, it also forces an ongoing reassessment of its processes. Its strength and talent reside in the experience and professional expertise of its members.
William Spurr Chairman of the Board
Jean-Pierre Apélian President and Chief Executive Officer
Xavier Aymé Chief Operating Officer
Patrick Bazinet Director
Alexandre Jarry Director, Secretary
Laurent M. Marchal Director
Robert Panet-Raymond Director
Denise Verreault Director
Mercator Transport Group Corporation Auditor Samson Bélair/ Deloitte & Touche Mercator Transport Group Corporation Legal counsellors Jarry Bazinet Legal & business counsellors Inc. Mercator Transport Group Corporation Transfer Agents and Registrars CIBC Mellon Trust Company
FAQ How many shares are issued and outstanding? There are 27,418,335 outstanding shares. How many stock options are outstanding? There are 1,933,334 outstanding stock options. How many warrants are outstanding? There are no outstanding warrants. In what year was Mercator founded? Mercator Transport International was founded in 2002. What are Mercator Transport Group’s main business segments? International transport and distribution. What are Mercator Transport Group’s principal places of business? Montreal (Canada), Las Vegas (United States) and Lyon (France) What is Mercator Transport Group’s website? www.corpgmt.com How can I contact Mercator Transport Group’s customer service? Xavier Aymé, Chief Operating Officer Telephone +1 514 874 1616 | xayme@corpgmt.com How can I contact Mercator Transport Group’s investor relations service? Patrick Bazinet, Director Telephone +1 450 667 8886 | investisseur@corpgmt.com What are Mercator Transport Group’s sales figures (in thousands of dollars)? 2009 $28,185 2008 $16,549 2007 $9,958
concept : ARTO design
investors’ informations
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