FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of November, 2011
Commission File Number: 001-02413
Canadian National Railway Company
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
935 de la Gauchetiere Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3B 2M9
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
Canadian National Railway Company
Table of Contents
Item
1. |
Press release dated November 2, 2011, “CN’s 2011 Investor Fact Book available today”.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Canadian National Railway Company |
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Date: November 2, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ Cristina Circelli |
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Name: |
Cristina Circelli
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Title: |
Deputy Corporate Secretary and
General Counsel
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Item 1
North America’s Railroad
NEWS RELEASE
CN’s 2011 Investor Fact Book available today
MONTREAL, Nov. 2, 2011 — CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) announced today that its 2011 Investor Fact Book is available in the Investor section of the company’s website, www.cn.ca/investors.
The fact book is a comprehensive source of information about CN, its freight franchise and business model. It profiles the company’s North American freight network and operations, commodity groups, financial performance and strategic outlook in a concise, readable format.
Requests for printed copies of the fact book should be forwarded by email to investor.relations@cn.ca.
CN – Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries –spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company’s website at www.cn.ca.
– 30 –
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Contacts:
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Media
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Investors
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Mark Hallman
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Robert Noorigian
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Director, Communications & Public Affairs
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Vice-President, Investor Relations
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(905) 669-3384
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(514) 399-0052
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS.
As used herein, the word “Company” or “CN” means, as the context requires, Canadian National Railway Company and/or its subsidiaries.
Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information reflected in this document is expressed in Canadian dollars and determined on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The financial information contained in this Fact Book should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual and interim Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
This document contains forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Implicit in these statements, particularly in respect of long-term growth opportunities, is the Company’s assumption that such growth opportunities are less affected by the current situation in the North American and global economies. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that the current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. The Company cautions that its results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the effects of adverse general economic and business conditions, industry competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by regulators, various events which could disrupt operations, including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods and earthquakes, labour negotiations and disruptions, environmental claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” in the Company’s annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, available on the Company’s Web site, for a summary of major risks.
The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.
The Company’s objective is to provide meaningful and relevant information reflecting its financial condition, results of operations and operational performance. The Company makes reference to non-GAAP measures in this document that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and are, therefore, not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and, as such, should not be considered in isolation. Management believes that non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and the resulting adjusted performance measures for such items as operating income, operating ratio and per-share data are useful measures of performance that can facilitate period-to-period comparisons as they exclude items that do not arise as part of the normal day-to-day operations or that could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. The exclusion of the specified items in the adjusted measures does not, however, imply that such items are necessarily non-recurring. The Company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of performance as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate cash after the payment of capital expenditures and dividends. Free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company defines free cash flow as the sum of net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for changes in the accounts receivable securitization program, if any, and in cash and cash equivalents resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations; and net cash used in investing activities, adjusted for changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents, if any, for the impact of major acquisitions, if any, and the payment of dividends. In addition, the Company believes that adjusted debt-to-total capitalization is a useful credit measure that aims to show the true leverage of the Company. Similarly, adjusted debt-to-adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is another useful credit measure because it reflects the Company’s ability to service its debt. The Company excludes Other income in the calculation of EBITDA. A reconciliation of this document’s various non-GAAP measures to their comparable U.S. GAAP measures is provided in Appendix B.
In addition, certain statistical data are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW
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SUSTAINABILITY
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3
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Letter from the President
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95
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Environment
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6
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Financial & statistical highlights
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98
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Safety
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8
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Company profile
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102
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Regulation
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10
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A remarkable transformation
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journey
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OTHER INVESTOR FOCUS
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14
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Precision Railroading at the core
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107
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Managing energy cost
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18
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A great geographic franchise
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110
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Capital expenditures
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19
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A great supply-chain product
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114
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Technology initiatives
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20
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People
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120
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CN Pension Plan
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24
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Customer first initiatives
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126
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Financial management
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26
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Supply-chain collaboration
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130
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Corporate governance
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28
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Density map
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133
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Executive profiles
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MARKETS
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APPENDICES
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31
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CN’s business units
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137
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Financial & statistical data
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32
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West Coast gateway strategy
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150
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Glossary
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34
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East Coast gateway strategy
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154
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Shareholder & investor
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35
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Gulf Coast gateway strategy
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contact information
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36
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Intermodal
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44
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Grain & fertilizers
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54
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Coal
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64
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Forest products
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72
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Automotive
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78
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Petroleum & chemicals
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86
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Metals & minerals
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TICKER SYMBOLS
CNR Toronto Stock Exchange
CNI New York Stock Exchange
WEB SITE INFORMATION
For the most up-to-date information on CN, we invite you to regularly visit www.cn.ca
In the Investors section, you will find a variety of informative documents, including annual reports, proxy statements, quarterly earnings, press releases, company presentations and weekly metrics.
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OVERVIEW
Letter from the President
Financial & statistical highlights
Company profile
A remarkable transformation journey
Precision Railroading at the core
A great geographic franchise
A great supply-chain product
People
Customer first initiatives
Supply-chain collaboration
Density map
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to the 2011 edition of the CN Investor Fact Book, a comprehensive information source that explains CN’s unique business model, its franchise and book of business. It also lays out CN’s financial performance and plans for the future.
The year 2010 was my first as CN’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and marked the 15th anniversary of the Company’s privatization. I inherited a legacy of excellence from predecessors Paul M. Tellier and E. Hunter Harrison, who guided CN through a remarkable journey of change. That change started with the IPO and, driven by a determination to challenge accepted wisdom and demand ever-greater gains in service quality and efficiency, made CN the industry leader it is today.
My goal is to protect that legacy and guide our outstanding team of railroaders to take our Precision Railroading model to the next level. That means delivering on an agenda of service excellence that connects with our customers through a focus on end-to-end service and supply-chain collaboration while maintaining our goal of operational excellence through the pursuit of innovation and productivity.
OPERATIONAL AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Our agenda of operational and service excellence is built on the need to meet customer requirements and to do so safely and efficiently. We have established a solid track record in this regard, one which has continued since publication of the last edition of the Investor Fact Book in 2009. In early 2010, for example, we introduced our innovative Scheduled Grain Service that offers predictable service to export-grain supply-chain participants. We signed service agreements with all major ports and intermodal terminal operators throughout Canada with the goal of minimizing dwell times at the ports. We also adopted a new supply-chain focus for the movement of western Canadian coal to monitor daily performance from mine to ship.
This year, we rolled out a Scheduled Potash Service which is focused on the end-to-end management of the supply chain in collaboration with customers. Seven-day-a-week agreements have been signed with terminals handling wood
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
pulp on the West Coast, which will result in improvements in supply-chain efficiencies from B.C. pulp mills to global markets. We have also continued to enhance our first-mile/last-mile capabilities by changing the order system and measuring our performance in terms of order fulfillment in a way that responds more closely to customer needs.
We are pursuing a range of productivity initiatives that will also improve service quality. Focus on network speed, car velocity, train efficiency and safety will help the Company accommodate volume growth at low incremental cost and reliably.
Among our planned productivity improvements is the increased deployment of distributed power (DP) technology across our locomotive fleet. With distributed power, a locomotive can be placed in the middle of a freight train and be remotely controlled from the lead locomotive. DP improves fuel efficiency, train handling and safety; allows us to run longer, more efficient trains that leverage our long-siding investments; improves our asset and manpower utilization; and helps us to deliver better customer service.
The Company has developed a Fuel Management Excellence (FMX) program to reduce fuel consumption with new technologies and tools which will help our customers save on transportation costs. CN also continues to invest in more extended sidings across the network to improve system velocity and fluidity.
In the U.S., key priorities include work on the reconstruction of Kirk Yard in Gary, Ind., the consolidation of classification yards in Chicago, and construction of new rail connections as part of CN’s integration of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). The EJ&E ties together our five
lines in Chicago for the first time and will allow us to route traffic away from rail congestion in that city’s core.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Our focus on growth, as always, means we will want to fully take advantage of economic conditions in North America and throughout the world. We see continued growth opportunities in intermodal container markets; and also in offshore exports of bulk products such as potash and coal, or industrial products such as lumber and wood pulp. We also see growth potential in North American markets, from metal products and iron ore to the auto industry and eventually the housing market.
Our ultimate goal is to grow beyond what economic conditions will provide. With a clear strategic agenda, driven by a commitment to innovation, productivity, increased supply-chain collaboration, and running our trains safely with minimal environmental impact, we are confident we can continue to create value for our customers and our shareholders.
The Company plays an important role in the economic infrastructure and contributes to the prosperity of consumers and producers across North America. CN is part of the solution for customers in all business segments, through innovation, productivity and the pursuit of excellence.
/s/ Claude Mongeau
Claude Mongeau
President and CEO
FINANCIAL & STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
unaudited
In millions, except per share data, or unless otherwise indicated
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2010H1 |
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2011H1 |
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Financial results
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Revenues
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$ |
8,482 |
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$ |
7,367 |
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$ |
8,297 |
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$ |
4,058 |
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$ |
4,344 |
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Operating income
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$ |
2,894 |
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$ |
2,406 |
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$ |
3,024 |
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$ |
1,416 |
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$ |
1,519 |
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Net income
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$ |
1,895 |
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$ |
1,854 |
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$ |
2,104 |
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$ |
1,045 |
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$ |
1,206 |
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Adjusted net income (1,5)
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$ |
1,778 |
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$ |
1,533 |
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$ |
1,973 |
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$ |
914 |
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$ |
992 |
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Diluted earnings per share
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$ |
3.95 |
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$ |
3.92 |
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$ |
4.48 |
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$ |
2.21 |
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$ |
2.63 |
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Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1,5)
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$ |
3.71 |
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$ |
3.24 |
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$ |
4.20 |
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$ |
1.93 |
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$ |
2.16 |
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Weighted-average number of shares diluted (millions)
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480.0 |
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473.5 |
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470.1 |
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473.7 |
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459.4 |
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Financial ratios
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Operating ratio
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65.9 |
% |
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67.3 |
% |
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63.6 |
% |
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65.1 |
% |
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65.0 |
% |
Debt-to-total capitalization (2)
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42.8 |
% |
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36.5 |
% |
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35.0 |
% |
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36.0 |
% |
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34.2 |
% |
Adjusted debt-to-total capitalization (2,3,5)
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45.2 |
% |
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38.5 |
% |
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36.8 |
% |
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37.9 |
% |
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36.1 |
% |
Adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA (2,3,4,5)
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2.4 times
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2.2 times
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1.7 times
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2.0 times
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1.6 times
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Other information
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Dividend per share
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$ |
0.92 |
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$ |
1.01 |
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$ |
1.08 |
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$ |
0.54 |
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$ |
0.65 |
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Net capital expenditures
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$ |
1,424 |
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$ |
1,402 |
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$ |
1,586 |
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$ |
435 |
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$ |
597 |
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Free cash flow (5)
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$ |
794 |
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$ |
790 |
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$ |
1,122 |
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$ |
958 |
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$ |
823 |
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(1)
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Adjusted to exclude items affecting the comparability of results.
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(2)
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Debt-to-total capitalization is calculated as total long-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt, divided by the sum of total debt plus total shareholders’ equity.
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(3)
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Debt adjusted to include the present value of operating lease commitments plus securitization financing.
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(4)
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Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and adjusted to exclude Other income and the deemed interest on operating leases.
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(5)
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See Appendix B for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
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STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS(1)
unaudited
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2010H1 |
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2011H1 |
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Statistical operating data
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Gross ton miles (GTM) (millions)
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339,854 |
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304,690 |
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341,219 |
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169,119 |
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176,282 |
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Revenue ton miles (RTM) (millions)
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177,951 |
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159,862 |
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179,232 |
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88,656 |
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92,836 |
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Carloads (thousands)
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4,615 |
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3,991 |
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4,696 |
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2,290 |
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2,380 |
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Route miles (includes Canada and the U.S.) (2)
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21,000 |
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21,100 |
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20,600 |
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20,900 |
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20,500 |
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Employees (end of period)
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22,227 |
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21,501 |
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22,279 |
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22,127 |
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23,315 |
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Employees (average for the period)
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22,695 |
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21,793 |
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21,967 |
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21,750 |
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22,682 |
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Productivity
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GTMs per route mile
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16.2 |
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14.4 |
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16.6 |
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8.1 |
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8.6 |
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Rail freight revenue per RTM (cents)
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4.29 |
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4.15 |
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4.14 |
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4.10 |
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4.22 |
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Rail freight revenue per carload ($)
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1,656 |
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1,662 |
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1,579 |
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1,587 |
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1,647 |
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Operating expenses per GTM (cents)
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1.64 |
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1.63 |
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1.55 |
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1.56 |
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1.60 |
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GTMs per average number of employees (thousands)
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14,975 |
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13,981 |
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15,533 |
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7,776 |
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7,772 |
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Diesel fuel consumed (U.S. gallons in millions)
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380.5 |
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327.3 |
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355.7 |
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|
178.6 |
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184.2 |
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Average fuel price ($/U.S. gallon)
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3.53 |
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|
2.28 |
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|
2.64 |
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|
2.58 |
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|
3.31 |
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GTMs per U.S. gallon of fuel consumed
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|
893 |
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|
931 |
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|
959 |
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|
947 |
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|
957 |
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Rolling stock (3)
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Diesel locomotives
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1,820 |
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|
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1,817 |
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|
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1,839 |
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|
1,813 |
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|
|
1,865 |
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Freight cars
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79,212 |
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|
|
73,613 |
|
|
|
70,236 |
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|
|
72,730 |
|
|
|
69,528 |
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(1)
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Includes data relating to companies acquired as of the date of acquisition.
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(2)
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Rounded to the nearest hundred miles.
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(3)
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Owned and leased at end of period.
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Certain of the 2010, 2009 and 2008 comparative figures have been restated to conform with the 2011 presentation. Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.
COMPANY PROFILE
CN is engaged in the rail and related transportation business. CN’s network of 20,500 route miles of track spans Canda and mid-America, connecting three coasts: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. CN’s extensive network, marketing alliances and interline agreements, provide the Company’s customers with access to all three North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) nations.
CN’s freight revenues are derived from seven commodity groups representing a diversified and balanced portfolio of goods transported between a wide range of origins and destinations. This product and geographic diversity better positions the Company to face economic fluctuations and enhances its potential for growth opportunities.
In 2010, no individual commodity group accounted for more than 19 per cent of revenues. From a geographic standpoint, 19 per cent of revenues came from U.S. domestic traffic, 28 per cent from transborder traffic, 22 per cent from Canadian domestic traffic, and 31 per cent from overseas traffic.
The Company is the originating rail carrier for approximately 85 per cent of all traffic moving along its network, which allows it both to capitalize on service advantages and build on opportunities to efficiently use assets.
CN’s focus is on running a safe, reliable and efficient railroad. While remaining at the forefront of the rail industry, CN’s goal is to be internationally regarded as one of the best-performing transportation companies.
CN’s business model is anchored on five core principles: providing quality service, controlling costs, focusing on asset utilization, committing to safety, and developing its people.
The Company’s commitment is to create value for its customers by providing quality and cost-effective service; and for its shareholders by striving for sustainable financial performance through profitable growth, adequate free cash flow and a high return on investment.
In support of this commitment, CN continues to focus on growth at low incremental cost through quality service and deeper customer engagement. This sustainable, profitable growth is driven by disciplined execution and solid capital investments.
In 2010, CN benefited from a recovery in many markets, reflecting a strengthening global economy, an increase in North American industrial production, a turnaround in automotive production and a modest improvement in housing and related segments, as well as share gains in several markets. The Company’s drive to continuously improve its operational and service excellence enabled it to obtain the best carload growth in the industry. At the same time, CN maintained or improved all of its core operating metrics.
CN remains prepared for, and will continue to pursue, a wide variety of growth opportunities. Such opportunities can be found across all market segments. The Company also continuously seeks to generate productivity, reduce costs and leverage assets. Opportunities to improve productivity extend across all functions of the organization.
CN’s efforts to increase velocity, asset utilization and reliability through the execution of its Precision Railroading concept are ongoing and are based on the need for continuous improvement. Through innovation, CN improves its products, its ability to sell them, and its capability to create value for all stakeholders.
CN COMMERCIALIZATION ACT
The Company was privatized in 1995. The privatization transformed CN from a Crown corporation into an investor-owned company. As required by the CN Commercialization Act, there is a 15 per cent limit on ownership of the Company’s common shares by any holder alone or together with associates.
A REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
November 17, 2010 marked the 15th anniversary of CN’s initial public offering of shares (IPO) in 1995. This is one of the most profound transformations in Canadian business history. CN’s accomplishments since privatization have been nothing short of remarkable.
A number of major changes have characterized the way CN has come to be defined. The first transformed CN from what was a money-losing Crown corporation to a leader in the railway industry. Today, CN is the most profitable railway in North America. The Company is recognized as a world-class leader in the way it operates its business and serves its customers.
The second large-scale change saw CN’s transformation from a business focused primarily on Canada to a full-fledged North American railway – serving customers across North America and beyond. Very soon after the IPO, CN made its bold acquisition of Illinois Central (IC), which provided a powerful extension to CN’s east-to-west network in Canada. Illinois Central has proven to be a great network fit, and much more. It brought Hunter Harrison and the IC management team to CN. Several other railroads were added and integrated flawlessly into the system, including most recently the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) in 2009.
Another major transformation over the past 15 years has been in CN’s ability to create value for its shareholders. In late November 1995, CN’s market capitalization was $2.2 billion; 15 years later, in late November 2010, it averaged over $30 billion. Over this past decade and a half, the total compound rate of return to shareholders, including dividends, has been 21 per cent per year.
CN’s journey to date has been characterized by: the expansion of its footprint, allowing the Company to provide seamless service; the pursuit of operational and service excellence through the Precision Railroading model; relentless innovation; an unwavering commitment to safety; and solid returns to shareholders.
CN took a giant leap forward 15 years ago, and thanks to the passion, pride, teamwork and accountability of CN railroaders, the Company has much to look forward to.
A REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
REWARDKING SHAREHOLDERS
DIVIDENDS1
The Company’s dividend policy is based on overall financial performance and cash flow generation. Decisions on dividend payout are made on an annual and quarterly basis by the Company’s Board of Directors.
CN’s current dividend policy pays a quarterly dividend of 32.50 cents ($0.3250) per common share. Since the Company’s IPO in 1995, there have been 15 consecutive increases in CN’s cash dividend.
SHARE REPURCHASE
The Company’s share-buyback program, subject to Board approval, is pursuant to a normal course Issuer bid, at prevailing market prices or such other prices, as may be permitted by the Toronto Stock Exchange. In January 2010, the Company approved a new share-buyback program, having halted the last program in the third quarter of 2008 in light of the global economic crisis. During 2010, the Company repurchased 15.0 million shares for an amount of $913 million at a weighted average price per share of $60.86. In January 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share-buyback program which allows for the repurchase of up to 16.5 million common shares to the end of December 2011, pursuant to a normal course issuer bid. Under such program, the Company repurchased 10.5 million shares during the first half of 2011 for $747 million at a weighted-average price of $71.18 per share.
Since the first program began in January 2000 up to June 30, 2011, CN has repurchased 226.6 million shares through normal course issuer bids at an estimated weighted average price of $38.96, for a total cash expense of $8,829 million.
STOCK SPLIT
In order to ensure greater accessibility of CN shares to individual investors, and to increase the liquidity of shares, CN has split its stock on three occasions since its November 1995 IPO.
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|
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1.
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For Canadian and U.S. tax information regarding CN dividends, please consult www.cn.ca/investors
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CN STOCK SPLITS
Record date
|
Pay date
|
Split ratio
|
|
|
|
September 23, 1999
|
September 27, 1999
|
2 for 1
|
|
|
|
February 23, 2004
|
February 27, 2004
|
3 for 2
|
|
|
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February 22, 2006
|
February 28, 2006
|
2 for 1
|
MAJOR ACQUISITIONS SINCE IPO
November 1995
|
Privatization of CN
|
|
76.2 million shares offered
|
|
Canadian government received $2.2 billion
|
|
from the privatization
|
|
|
July 1999
|
Illinois Central (IC)
|
Price
|
US$2.4 billion (C$3.4 billion)
|
Route miles
|
2,600 in the U.S.
|
Employees
|
3,600 in the U.S.
|
|
|
October 2001
|
Wisconsin Central (WC)
|
Price
|
US$833 million (C$1.3 billion)
|
Route miles
|
2,850 in the U.S.
|
Employees
|
2,200 in the U.S.
|
|
|
May 2004
|
Great Lakes Transportation (GLT)
|
Price
|
US$380 million (C$547 million)
|
Route miles
|
392 in the U.S.
|
Employees
|
800 in the U.S.
|
|
|
July 2004
|
B.C. Rail
|
Price
|
C$991 million
|
Route miles
|
1,300 in Canada
|
Employees
|
1,380 in Canada
|
|
|
January 2009
|
Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (EJ&E)
|
Price
|
US$300 million (C$373 million)
|
Route miles
|
198 in the U.S.
|
Employees
|
700 in the U.S.
|
PRECISION RAILROADING AT THE CORE
CN’s Precision Railroading model is the foundation of the Company’s industry-leading performance. Precision Railroading is an evolutionary concept that CN pioneered in the North American railroad industry in 1998. Under the plan, CN runs regularly scheduled trains that leave at predetermined times. Each car and container has a specific trip plan that fits into the design of the train schedule.
Precision Railroading focuses on what matters most to the customer – the box or the carload and the customer’s shipment, rather than the train itself. That same focus also exerts a strong influence on the development –and continuous improvement – of every CN process that affects delivery. As a result, the discipline to make things run like clockwork permeates the entire CN organization.
The best way to create value for shareholders is to create value for customers. For CN’s customers, Precision Railroading enables better service, reduced inventory and capital requirements, reduced need for private fleets, and better cost competitiveness.
For CN, the quality of service afforded by Precision Railroading supports market share gains, revenue growth and an industry-low operating ratio. With Precision Railroading, CN is more competitive and more reliable – with better cost control and improved asset utilization, on the network and in the yards, on the trains, in the shops and on the tracks.
The challenge is to take CN to the next level of Precision Railroading, which requires constantly refining and improving all the interlocking activities that result in delivering for customers. This includes a wide range of initiatives designed to improve the productivity of the Company’s assets and the quality of service, through innovative thinking and CN’s nose-to-the-grindstone approach to the business.
FULL PIPELINE OF INITIATIVES
Precision Railroading has been perfected over the last 12 years, allowing CN to grow the business with solid service at low incremental cost. The Company continues to maintain a stream of initiatives to take Precision Railroading to the next level.
For example, CN is always focused on train productivity. Thanks to significant investments in siding capacity and signal and communications technology, amounting to $600 million since 2000, CN is able to operate with longer trains, safely and effectively. More recently, the use of distributed power (DP) has been providing a boost in the use of longer sidings, especially in cold winter conditions. DP enables CN to run 10,000-foot trains instead of two shorter trains – with all the productivity benefits that ensue. Approximately 50 per cent of CN’s high-horsepower locomotives are expected to be DP-equipped by early 2012.
CN continues to focus on the fluidity and speed of its network. Extension of the Precision Railroading mindset has led to the implementation of SmartYard, which takes information from the SRS (Service Reliability Strategy) system and provides the best sequence for processing cars, and continuously adjusts the data for changing yard-inventory conditions, thus reducing yard dwell time and increasing train speed. The same mindset and discipline are used to guide the scheduling of work blocks under Precision Engineering which takes large volumes of complex asset and inspection information as well as regulatory
compliance rules, and provides a GPS-enabled interface for planning and reporting defects, inspections and maintenance work.
The Company is also driving improvements through the reconfiguration of its yards and terminals. This includes a major expansion at Kirk Yard in Gary, Ind.; the relocation of yard activities from Markham, Ill.; and capacity additions at the adjacent Intermodal terminal in Harvey, Ill. Combined with a dynamic ongoing review of train-design requirements in the face of changing market and operating conditions, all these efforts reinforce CN’s commitment to a fluid network and reliable customer service.
Reliable end-to-end service is at the heart of the Company’s supply-chain collaboration efforts. In a move to promote transparency and teamwork across the various components of its Intermodal supply chain, CN has entered into agreements with all major ports and terminal operators across Canada, based on the daily monitoring of key performance indicators against specific targets –mutually agreed to by all parties. CN’s supply-chain thrust also extends to bulk and merchandise customers, for example in Coal (mine-to-ship) and in Forest products (seven-day loading).
To improve end-to-end customer service while maintaining industry-leading cost control and asset utilization, CN has sharpened its focus on first-mile/last-mile activities. In particular, a new car-order system has been implemented and new and more stringent car-order fulfillment targets have been set with a number of customers across the business. With the relief from adverse winter and flood-related conditions of the first half of 2011, the disciplined pursuit of such targets should enable CN to improve car velocity, speed and other operating metrics.
Precision Railroading is at the core of all CN service and productivity gains, including those related to fuel, a key expense category. In this regard, CN is making significant strides in improving the fuel efficiency of its freight train operations, through new technology applications to existing locomotives, enhanced analytic abilities, employee training, and other initiatives. The acquisition of new locomotives is also a major factor in the pursuit of fuel efficiency. Since 2005, CN has acquired more than 300 of these new, more fuel-efficient units, which require 15 to 20 per cent less fuel per gross ton mile. As such, they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the movement of traffic, which is of increasing interest to a number of customers and shareholders. These new locomotives also contribute to network reliability and cost efficiency.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT – MEASUREMENT IS KEY
Precision Railroading demands discipline to execute the relentless measurement of results, and the use of these results to generate further improvements. Timely access to reliable operating data is essential.
PRECISION RAILROADING AT THE CORE
KEY OPERATING METRICS
Car velocity measures the average miles per day travelled by loaded and empty active cars on line, including system, foreign and private cars – providing a gauge of network fluidity and efficiency.
Cars per yard switching hour measures the number of cars that enter a terminal divided by the total crew hours worked at the terminal, providing an assessment of yard efficiency.
Gross ton miles per train mile is used to monitor train efficiency/productivity and is calculated as the average trailing ton per system train.
Gross ton miles per total horsepower reflects the number of trailing gross ton miles handled on system trains per total horsepower. It is an important measure of the utilization of high-horsepower locomotives.
AAR Terminal dwell time is a measure of yard throughput, calculated as the average time a car resides at the specified terminal location expressed in hours. The measurement begins with a customer release, received interchange, or train arrival event and ends with a customer placement (actual or constructive), delivered or offered in interchange, or train departure event. Cars that move through a terminal on a run-through train are excluded, as are stored, bad-ordered, and maintenance-of-way cars.
AAR Average train speed (miles per hour) is a measure of network fluidity and productivity and reflects the line-haul movement between terminals. The average speed is calculated by dividing train-miles by total hours operated, excluding yard and local trains, passenger trains, maintenance-of-way trains, and terminal time.
PEOPLE
CREATING A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
CN people are at the heart of every aspect of the Company’s continuing journey and strategic agenda.
As CN progresses with a significant work-force renewal in the next few years, some of the Company’s top goals are to attract, retain, develop and connect with the best and brightest people.
In 2010, CN hired 2,410 new employees from a pool of approximately 90,000 applicants. The Company takes an integrated approach to its talent-management strategy to ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time. The Company makes extensive use of CN-exclusive job fairs, job previews, as well as formal instruction and on-the-job training.
The Company’s strategy to retain top talent is supported by a multi-faceted approach. CN creates attractive working conditions by offering competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as a diverse, rewarding and healthy work environment. CN promotes internal job opportunities through the Career Opportunities system, and offers educational health-related fairs, family-friendly events, and ongoing communications about wellness. CN is committed to the principles of employment equity, diversity and human rights.
Management, leadership and skills-development programs at all levels within the organization help employees realize their full potential. In 2010, CN conducted 666,000 hours of skills training, representing an average of close to 30 hours of training per employee.
CN’s Employee Performance Scorecard aligns every employee’s performance with the Company’s business plan. CN’s President’s Awards for Excellence and other initiatives recognize employees’ outstanding achievements.
Two-way communication plays a key role in connecting with employees. CN encourages meaningful dialogue between employees and their direct supervisors, as well as with other levels of management within the organization. A number of award-winning communication tools help the Company to keep employees informed and up-to-date about activities. These initiatives include various electronic and print tools, Web sites and a new Extranet that allows employees to access Company communications from their personal computers at home.
RENEWING CN’S WORKFORCE
Within the next five years, CN will welcome thousands of new employees to the Company. Nearly 45 per cent of CN’s current workforce will be renewed due to normal attrition and retirements.
CN is responding to the challenge through a number of initiatives:
•
|
CN-exclusive job fairs;
|
•
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Creation of more attractive working conditions;
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•
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Expanded conductor training through community colleges;
|
•
|
Cooperative, internship and leveraged initiatives such as Supervisor Assessment Centres, Assistant Track Supervisor, Future Leader and Railroader Trainee programs;
|
•
|
Redesign of CN’s career Web site to facilitate navigation and enhance candidate experience;
|
•
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Integration of CN’s overall sourcing strategies through reaching out to different candidate pools, creating new partnerships and leveraging social media;
|
•
|
Review of some of CN’s corporate and regional diversity efforts for enhanced talent-attraction impact.
|
BRINGING NEWLY HIRED EMPLOYEES ON BOARD
The focus of CN’s workforce renewal is to ensure that newly hired employees are brought on board quickly, trained with the necessary skills, and engaged to drive CN’s business to the next level.
A comprehensive Onboarding Program begins as soon as the offer is accepted by the new employee and continues through the first 18 to 24 months. This process ensures newly-hired employees are welcomed the first day on site, feel connected to their jobs, their teams, and the Company’s business direction, and see a future with CN. The program includes:
•
|
Standard activities for all employees with Onboarding actions specific to each function sponsored by senior leaders;
|
•
|
Networking opportunities through Safety Summits and otherCompany events;
|
•
|
A customized training curriculum to ensure productivity and success;
|
•
|
Regular reviews and performance validations to ensure employees achieve their goals.
|
PEOPLE
LABOUR RELATIONS
CANADA
As at June 30, 2011, CN employed a total of 16,299 employees in Canada, of which 12,337 were unionized employees. From time to time, the Company negotiates to renew collective agreements with various unionized groups of employees. In such cases, the collective agreements remain in effect until the bargaining process has been exhausted as per the Canada Labour Code.
On September 1, 2010, CN and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) initiated the bargaining process for the renewal of four collective agreements applicable to clerical and Intermodal employees, shopcraft mechanics and electricians, excavator operators and owner-operator truck drivers working for a CN subsidiary, which were to expire on December 31, 2010. On January 24, 2011, the parties reached agreements for all groups, thus renewing those collective agreements for four years without a labour disruption. The agreements were ratified on February 14, 2011 and will expire on December 31, 2014.
On September 21, 2011 the Steelworkers (USW) initiated the bargaining process for the renewal of the collective agreement covering approximately 2,900 track maintenance employees, which expires on December 31, 2011.
The collective agreements covering approximately 1,500 locomotive engineers and close to 200 rail traffic controllers also expire on December 31, 2011. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) initiated the bargaining process for the renewal of rail traffic controllers’ collective agreement on September 15, 2011 and on October 11, 2011 for the locomotive engineers’ collective agreements.
Future labour agreements or renegotiated agreements could increase labour and fringe-benefits expenses. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to renew and have its collective agreements ratified without any strikes or lockouts or that the resolution of these collective bargaining negotiations will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
UNITED STATES
As at June 30, 2011, CN employed a total of 7,016 employees in the United States, of which 5,763 were unionized employees. As of July 2011, the Company had in place agreements with bargaining units representing the entire unionized workforce at Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company (GTW); Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Company (DWP); Illinois Central Railroad Company (ICRR); companies owned by CCP Holdings, Inc. (CCP); Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway Company (DMIR); Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Company (BLE); The Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company (PCD); the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E); and all but one of the unions at companies owned by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation (WC). Agreements in place have various moratorium provisions, ranging from 2004 to 2014, which preserve the status quo in respect of given areas during the terms of such moratoriums. Several of these agreements are currently under renegotiation. The WC rail traffic controllers are in the process of negotiating their first collective agreement. In conjunction with a notice of exemption filed with the Surface Transportation
Unions
|
|
|
|
|
TYPE OF
|
NUMBER OF
|
|
|
|
EMPLOYEES
|
EMPLOYEES
|
|
UNION
|
EXPIRATION
|
CANADA
|
|
|
|
|
Track Forces
|
2,894
|
|
USW (United Steel Workers)
|
31-Dec-2011
|
Locomotive Engineers
|
1,551
|
|
TCRC (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference)
|
31-Dec-2011
|
Rail Traffic Controllers
|
196
|
|
TCRC-RCTC (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference –
|
31-Dec-2011
|
|
|
|
Rail Canada Traffic Coordinators)
|
|
Signals & Communications
|
731
|
|
IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
|
31-Dec-2012
|
Conductors and Yard Coordinators
|
2,799
|
|
TCRC (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference)
|
23-July-2013
|
Special Agents
|
73
|
|
CNRPA (Canadian National Railways Police Association)
|
31-Dec-2013
|
Shopcraft, Clerical/Intermodal functions
|
4,073
|
|
CAW (National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation
|
|
|
|
|
and General Workers Union of Canada)
|
31-Dec-2014
|
Other
|
20
|
|
|
|
Total
|
12,337
|
|
|
|
UNITED STATES
|
|
|
|
|
Enginemen, Conductors and Yard Coordinators
|
1,523
|
|
Mainly represented by the UTU (United Transportation Union)
|
Track Forces
|
1,416
|
|
Mainly represented by the BMWED
|
|
|
|
|
(Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division)
|
|
Locomotive Engineers
|
1,011
|
|
Mainly represented by the BLET (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen)
|
Shopcraft
|
987
|
|
Represented by BRC (Brotherhood of Railway Carmen); IAMAW (International
|
|
|
|
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers); SMWIA (Sheet Metal Workers’
|
|
|
|
International Association); IBB&B (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers,
|
|
|
|
Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers); NCF&O (National Conference
|
|
|
|
of Fireman and Oilers); IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
|
Clerks
|
374
|
|
TCU (Transportation Communication Union)
|
|
Signals & Communications
|
347
|
|
BRS (Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen)
|
|
Other
|
105
|
|
|
|
Total
|
5,763
|
|
|
|
Figures as at June 30, 2011.
Board (STB) allowing for the intra-corporate merger of DWP, DMIR and WC, the Company has served notice to unions representing train and engine service employees on those properties to consolidate the collective agreements. This process is governed by the New York Dock labour protective conditions which provide a mechanism to ensure that the change can be achieved without disruption in the event that new agreements cannot be reached voluntarily. On August 2, 2011, a tentative agreement was reached with the United Transportation Union to merge the collective bargaining agreements of those three properties under the general terms of the WC agreement and to extend that agreement for a period of three years ending December 31, 2014. The agreement was ratified on October 14, 2011.
The general approach to labour negotiations by U.S. Class I railroads is to bargain on a collective national basis. GTW, DWP, ICRR, CCP, WC, DMIR, BLE, PCD and EJ&E have bargained on a local basis rather than holding national, industry-wide negotiations because they believe results better address both the employees’ concerns and preferences, and the railways’ actual operating environment. However, local negotiations may not generate federal intervention in a strike or lockout situation since a dispute may be localized. CN believes the potential mutual benefits of local bargaining outweigh the risks.
Where negotiations are ongoing, the terms and conditions of existing agreements generally continue to apply until new agreements are reached or Railway Labor Act processes have been exhausted.
There can be no assurance that there will not be any work action by any of the bargaining units with which the Company is currently in negotiations or that the resolution of these negotiations will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
|
|
|
|
CN EMPLOYEES
|
|
|
|
(as of June 30, 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
U.S.
|
Total
|
|
All employees
|
16,299
|
7,016
|
23,315
|
|
Unionized employees
|
12,337
|
5,763
|
18,100
|
CUSTOMER FIRST INITIATIVES
The customer is at the forefront of everything CN does and key to CN’s success. One of CN’s primary strategies is to be more customer-centric through improved dialogue with customers, listening to them carefully and making appropriate adjustments. Such an outside-in perspective enables the Company to understand the entire customer supply chain’s needs and balance these carefully with operational imperatives.
Through innovative thinking in the market and rigorous fine-tuning of its services with supply-chain partners, CN strives to create value. The Company’s goals are to earn more of customers’ transportation and logistics business, to help these customers win in their markets, and to attract new business to CN.
LISTENING TO CUSTOMERS
The best way to understand people is to sit down face-to-face, talk and listen. CN is doing this with its customers, in North America and overseas. One of the innovative ways CN is doing this is through customer forums. Bringing together groups of customers, CN learns what they have to say about their business and the Company’s service. These forums are held regularly and the dialogue generated by these sessions is of great mutual interest – useful input for the development of future CN supply-chain products.
CN is also learning more through an ongoing series of targeted “Voice of the Customer” surveys. Over the past year, customer feedback has consistently shown that CN has made improvements, and pinpointed opportunities for further value creation. The Company will continue to focus on its overall value proposition.
CN’S INTERMODAL CUSTOMER
SERVICE GROUP: 24/7/365
FOCUSING ON CN’S FIRST AND LAST MILES
The Company is recognized as an industry leader in hub-to-hub performance. Measured in terms of combined over-the-road speed and dwell time in yards, CN’s performance is, on average, approximately 25 per cent better than the rest of the industry. The Company is building on this performance to sharpen its focus on first- and last-mile services, which are very important to customers.
First-mile and last-mile focus translates into a major push to improve equipment order fulfillment across the business. CN implemented a new car-ordering system with more stringent order-fulfillment performance standards that better reflect customer needs to run their own businesses and to help them win in their markets.
This same innovation is driving improvements in the bulk business, as demonstrated by the implementation of unit train Scheduled Service for grain and potash. Breakthroughs such as these provide CN’s grain and potash customers with a better-integrated end-to-end supply chain, with a view to helping them improve their own market share.
CN’s Intermodal business unit has undergone tremendous changes, entering into supply-chain collaboration agreements with all major ports and terminal operators in Canada, increasing capacity in rolling stock and inland terminals and significantly improving 24/7/365 people care, eBusiness and customer service.
MAKING IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS AND SELLING ONE CN
Making it easier to do business with CN has always been a key competitive strategy. Many efforts are in progress in this regard, across the board. For example, CN has enhanced its Intermodal domestic repositioning program, created a new empty reposition booking tool and pod where customers can control their bookings directly on-line and deal with expert Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), and has started to provide its Intermodal customers with on-line access to copies of their gate receipts.
In the same spirit, Selling One CN allows a customer to deal with its one account manager for all of CN’s range of products. That account manager has learned the customer’s internal supply chain, and its needs in terms of CN services, such as boxcar transportation, Intermodal transportation, transloading, overseas export, freight forwarding, and the other supply-chain partners on whom the customer depends. The account manager is supported by a marketing specialist in each product line to ensure that the CN offering is relevant to the customer.
Selling One CN goes beyond the Company’s own capabilities and extends to enhanced understanding and improvement of end-to-end supply chains. Through its work with customers and partners in a collaborative spirit – sharing confidential information, targets and performance measures across the various components – the Company is Selling One CN in the broader context of looking at supply chains across each of the markets it serves. Good business. Good value. Customer first. Helping CN’s customers win in their markets. A competitive edge.
SUPPLY CHAIN COLLABORATION
CN’s strategic supply-chain agreements focus on partnerships with ports and terminals to drive continuous performance. CN and its supply-chain partners have signed several groundbreaking Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that have created a basis for key changes in the way operations are handled at the port terminals – to the benefit of all partners along the supply chain.
These agreements establish clear and defined performance standards for CN and terminal operator partners. The agreements focus on improving port dwell times and transit times, increasing productivity and efficiency, and improving communication with customers. CN has such agreements in the Intermodal, carload and bulk segments.
CN AVERAGE TRAFFIC DENSITY MAP
CN HAS THE NETWORK CAPACITY TO GROW VOLUME, USING FUEL EFFICIENT, LONGER TRAINS.
CN WESTERN CORRIDOR
|
|
Millions of GTMs per route mile
|
|
|
ROUTES
|
2010
|
2009
|
Winnipeg - Chicago
|
41.7
|
37.3
|
Edmonton - Winnipeg
|
71.2
|
63.0
|
Vancouver - Edmonton
|
81.9
|
75.2
|
Prince Rupert - Taverna
|
32.8
|
26.8
|
|
|
CN SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
|
|
Millions of GTMs per route mile
|
|
|
ROUTES
|
2010
|
2009
|
Chicago - Sarnia
|
39.8
|
35.8
|
Chicago - Memphis
|
33.0
|
29.5
|
Memphis - Jackson
|
41.3
|
36.2
|
Jackson - Mobile
|
12.2
|
10.2
|
Jackson - New Orleans
|
19.8
|
18.5
|
MILLIONS OF GTMS PER ROUTE MILE based on 2010 results
CN AVERAGE TRAFFIC DENSITY MAP
CN EASTERN CORRIDOR
|
|
Millions of GTMs per route mile
|
|
|
ROUTES
|
2010
|
2009
|
Halifax - Quebec
|
15.5
|
13.7
|
Montreal - Quebec
|
35.9
|
34.9
|
Toronto - Montreal
|
60.8
|
57.2
|
Winnipeg - Toronto
|
35.1
|
31.5
|
Sarnia - Toronto
|
43.7
|
43.0
|
MILLIONS OF GTMS PER ROUTE MILE based on 2010 results
MARKETS
CN’s business units
West Coast gateway strategy
East Coast gateway strategy
Gulf Coast gateway strategy
Intermodal
Grain & fertilizers
Coal
Forest products
Automotive
Petroleum & chemicals
Metals & minerals
CN’S BUSINESS UNITS
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
Carloads
|
|
|
|
RTMs
|
|
|
Full year
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
Change
|
2010
|
2009
|
Change
|
2010
|
2009
|
Change
|
Petroleum & chemicals
|
$
|
1,322
|
$
|
1,260
|
5
|
%
|
549
|
511
|
7
|
%
|
31,190
|
29,381
|
6
|
%
|
Metals & minerals
|
|
861
|
|
728
|
18
|
%
|
990
|
721
|
37
|
%
|
16,443
|
12,994
|
27
|
%
|
Forest products
|
|
1,183
|
|
1,147
|
3
|
%
|
423
|
403
|
5
|
%
|
28,936
|
27,594
|
5
|
%
|
Coal
|
|
600
|
|
464
|
29
|
%
|
499
|
426
|
17
|
%
|
19,766
|
14,805
|
34
|
%
|
Grain & fertilizers
|
|
1,418
|
|
1,341
|
6
|
%
|
579
|
530
|
9
|
%
|
44,549
|
40,859
|
9
|
%
|
Intermodal |
|
1,576 |
|
1,337 |
18 |
% |
1,455 |
1,246 |
17 |
% |
35,803 |
32,159 |
11 |
% |
Automotive
|
|
457
|
|
355
|
29
|
%
|
201
|
154
|
31
|
%
|
2,545
|
2,070
|
23
|
%
|
Total rail freight revenues
|
|
7,417
|
|
6,632
|
12
|
%
|
4,696
|
3,991
|
18
|
%
|
179,232
|
159,862
|
12
|
%
|
Other revenues
|
|
880
|
|
735
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
$
|
8,297
|
$
|
7,367
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
Carloads
|
|
|
|
RTMs
|
|
|
First half
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
Change
|
2011
|
2010
|
Change
|
2011
|
2010
|
Change
|
Petroleum & chemicals
|
$
|
682
|
$
|
650
|
5
|
%
|
278
|
272
|
2
|
%
|
16,076
|
15,544
|
3
|
%
|
Metals & minerals
|
|
454
|
|
420
|
8
|
%
|
480
|
489
|
(2
|
)%
|
8,568
|
7,988
|
7
|
%
|
Forest products
|
|
616
|
|
587
|
5
|
%
|
221
|
210
|
5
|
%
|
14,433
|
14,636
|
(1
|
)%
|
Coal
|
|
303
|
|
287
|
6
|
%
|
232
|
242
|
(4
|
)%
|
9,949
|
9,267
|
7
|
%
|
Grain & fertilizers
|
|
774
|
|
699
|
11
|
%
|
305
|
282
|
8
|
%
|
24,116
|
22,561
|
7
|
%
|
Intermodal
|
|
846
|
|
749
|
13
|
%
|
752
|
690
|
9
|
%
|
18,374
|
17,295
|
6
|
%
|
Automotive
|
|
245
|
|
242
|
1
|
%
|
112
|
105
|
7
|
%
|
1,320
|
1,365
|
(3
|
)%
|
Total rail freight
|
|
3,920
|
|
3,634
|
8
|
%
|
2,380
|
2,290
|
4
|
%
|
92,836
|
88,656
|
5
|
%
|
Other revenues
|
|
424
|
|
424
|
–
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
$
|
4,344
|
$
|
4,058
|
7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEST COAST GATEWAY STRATEGY
IMPORT-EXPORT TRADE WITH ASIA
VANCOUVER
Container terminals
• Third-largest North American West Coast container port, and steadily expanding
• Four container terminals with annual capacity of 3.7 million TEUs (Centerm, Deltaport, Fraser Surrey Docks and Vanterm)
• Development of multi-site container destuffing and stuffing operations, including CN-owned facilities
Bulk terminals
• Major commodities handled include coal, grain, fertilizers and sulfur, with steadily expanding volumes
• Two coal terminals: Neptune Terminals and Westshore Terminals
• Major grain terminals include Alliance Grain terminal, Cargill terminal, Cascadia, Pacific elevators and Richardson International
• Major fertilizer terminals for potash and sulfur include Neptune terminals, Kinder Morgan Vancouver Wharves and Pacific Coast Terminals
Breakbulk terminals
• Handle breakbulk cargo such as pulp, wood pellets, lumber, pipes, steel and machinery
• Breakbulk terminals include Fraser Surrey Docks and Lynnterm East Gate and West Gate.
Automotive terminals
• One of the top three ports on the West Coast, handling close to 400,000 vehicles per year
• Two import auto terminals: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) and Fraser Wharves
|
|
|
WEST COAST GATEWAY STRATEGY
|
|
PRINCE RUPERT
Port of Prince Rupert Container Terminal
• Closest port to Asia, saving up to 58 hours of sailing time compared to other North American West Coast container ports
• Current capacity reaching 700,000 TEUs annually with potential to increase capacity on a gradual basis
• Multi-site container stuffing for forest products and non-ferrous metals
Ridley Terminals Inc.
• Handles metallurgical and thermal coal and petroleum coke
• Closest port to Japanese steel mills
• Annual capacity of 12 million tonnes and ongoing expansion to increase capacity to 24 million tonnes, with potential to increase to 40 million tonnes
Prince Rupert Grain Inc.
• Highest throughput among grain-cleaning elevators in Canada
• Annual design throughput of seven million tonnes with storage capacity of 202,000 tonnes
CN AquaTrain
• Rail-marine barge service provides a link between Alaska and the rest of North America
• Railcar barge carries 45 railcars on eight tracks and provides four-day service from Prince Rupert, B.C. to Whittier, Alaska, with next-day service to Anchorage, Alaska
KITIMAT
• Ice-free harbour just 80 nautical miles from the Great Circle shipping route
• Port offers bulk transfer facilities of import/export liquids such as diluents for the oil sands
• New liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in 2015
• Significant potential for expansion
|
EAST COAST GATEWAY STRATEGY
IMPORT-EXPORT TRADE WITH EUROPE AND ASIA VIA THE SUEZ CANAL ROUTE
MONTREAL
• Container terminal capacity of 1.6 million TEUs to increase to 2.0 million TEUs by 2016
• Future expansion plans include new container terminal in Contrecoeur, Que. (40 km from Montreal)
• Port also handles non-containerized cargo (including metals, forest products, food), liquid bulk (petroleum products and chemicals) and dry bulk (including grain, fertilizers, sugar and salt)
QUEBEC CITY
• Merchandise handled at the port includes mainly liquid bulk (petroleum products) and dry bulk (grain, ore)
• Partnership with many terminal operators specializing in the handling and storage of dry bulk, liquid bulk and general cargo
HALIFAX
• Closest major port to Europe and the growing Suez route – one full day faster compared to other North American East Coast container ports, and deepest water for new-generation, large container ships
• Two container terminals (Fairview Cove and Halterm) with annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs
• CN’s Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) facility handling nearly 185,000 vehicles per year
• Handles bulk cargo, including grain and gypsum
|
|
|
GULF COAST GATEWAY STRATEGY
IMPORT-EXPORT TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE
MOBILE
• Port handles mainly bulk, breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo
• Largest breakbulk forest products port in the U.S.
• CN connects at Mobile with CG Railway which operates a rail-ferry service between Mobile and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico
• Port’s container terminal expansion project, with on-dock rail, to capitalize on the widening of the Panama Canal
NEW ORLEANS
• Deepwater port, located on the Mississippi River
• Port facilities include 22 million square feet of cargo-handling space and six million square feet of covered storage area
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
• Access to various bulk export terminals (grain, coal, petroleum and liquid chemicals)
INTERMODAL
INTERMODAL
The Intermodal group consists of two main products: domestic and international. Both use common inland Intermodal terminals that are located near major urban centres, so goods can get into virtually every market inside North America and overseas.
DOMESTIC
The domestic product, which represented 43 per cent of Intermodal’s revenues in 2010, transport consumer products, manufactured goods and natural resources. This includes two main service offerings: door-to-door retail, fully provided by CN and CNTL – one of Canada’s largest trucking companies; and terminal-to-terminal wholesale with CN partners. Consumer staples drive the domestic segment, with market growth generally tied to the economy and conversion from trucks and competitors. This market-driven offering is very competitive and focuses on truck-competitive, cost-effective service.
RETAIL OFFERING CN provides unique, full door-to-door transportation with rail and in-house CNTL trucking services, with access to close to 75 per cent of the North American population. CN provides all required equipment.
WHOLESALE OFFERING CN provides terminal-to-terminal train service to motor carriers, intermodal marketing companies, third-party logistics companies, couriers and other transportation intermediaries. The wholesale partners provide all required trucks and containers.
CANADA CN Intermodal offers a 24-hour advantage over its rail competition from Central to Western Canada, and is competitive with single-truck-driver service to the Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver markets. Additionally, CN is the only rail service option to Eastern Canada. As a result of these service advantages, CN handles the majority of the Canadian wholesale, Less than TruckLoad (LTL), and courier customer base. In addition, CN’s fuel surcharge is the lowest in the North American rail industry and well below the corresponding over-the-road trucking fuel surcharge.
US.S AND TRANSBORDER CN offers daily service in the Chicago to Eastern and Western Canada corridors as well as one of the fastest transit times between Chicago and New Orleans. Through its partnership with Kansas City Southern (KCS), CN also offers seamless service to Mexico from every terminal both on a wholesale and retail basis. With a single-line service to Mexico, customers can ship high-density freight, such as intermediate manufacturing and grain products, to and from Mexico with an unmatched payload of up to 55,000 pounds per container.
EQUIPMENT CN has a fleet of approximately 5,700 dry and heated 53-foot containers and 40-foot insulated EcoTherm containers. CN also has secured one-way access to 20-foot and 40-foot boxes from its ocean carrier customers to market to its domestic customers. These overseas boxes help balance the domestic route since they would otherwise be returned empty from the U.S. or Central Canada to the ports. They also offer considerable savings to the CN-friendly ocean carriers.
DOMESTIC REPOSITIONING PROGRAM (DRP) The domestic-market headhaul lanes are the backhaul (export) lanes for the ocean carriers. The use of these one-way boxes in the DRP program provides low-cost capacity to domestic shippers and reduces inland costs for ocean carriers. Through the DRP program, CN can improve its market share of international import boxes, as it helps to improve ocean carriers’ round-trip economics.
INTERMODAL
INTERNATIONAL
The international product, which represented 57 per cent of Intermodal’s revenues in 2010, transports import and export container traffic on behalf of ocean-carrier companies. Shipping overseas with CN allows customers to take advantage of the Company’s powerful rail network, wide range of export source loading facilities, DRP and abundant network capacity. Whether customers are moving containers for import or export, CN provides full shipping services to all the world’s ocean carriers.
From CN’s network of strategically located Intermodal terminals, the Company offers dedicated high-cube double-stack service with on-dock access to the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Halifax, Saint John, N.B., and New Orleans. CN is the only North American railway to offer rail connections to all three coasts (East, West and Gulf coasts).
Transpacific trade and CN’s port terminal Level of Service Agreements are the main business drivers of the international segment. Imports generally flow to high-population centres such as Toronto, Montreal, Chicago and Memphis; whereas exports tend to originate from resource-rich regions such as Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest. CN and its ocean carrier customers work closely to ensure a healthy balance of imports and exports. The Company’s freight-forwarding unit is helping CN-friendly ocean carriers secure valuable export business.
LOGISTICS PARKS To complement its Intermodal terminals, CN offers a comprehensive network of Logistics Parks.
• These facilities are strategically located in, or adjacent to, CN’s Intermodal rail yards.
• They also offer connections to CN’s network that allow for in-park container movement, which significantly reduces dray and handling costs.
• Customers have access to all key distribution logistics services in one location: rail, intermodal, warehousing, distribution, container-stuffing facilities.
• Current locations include Chicago, Ill., Memphis, Tenn., Toronto, Ont. and Montreal, Que.
• CN expects to open a state-of-the-art 680-acre logistics park in Calgary in 2013. The new terminal will have warehousing space available as well as a yard for international container storage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CN HUB CENTRES
CN’s Intermodal terminals across Canada and the U.S. are strategically positioned to serve major urban areas, allowing the Company to deliver customers’ shipments to destinations across North America. CN also provides international reach to customers through the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Halifax, Montreal, New Orleans, and Saint John, N.B.
INTERMODAL
CONTAINER LOADING FACILITIES CN has invested in transload facilities to assist ocean carriers in securing inland export-commodity traffic. Ocean carriers need exports to balance their network from points inland to cover the costs of repositioning equipment to the ports. For example, CN operates a grain transload facility in Chicago; and the Prince George transload facility enables forest products companies to load pulp and lumber in ocean carrier containers heading to Asia through the Port of Prince Rupert. CN also works with the ocean carriers to handle pork for export from the Prairies in refrigerated containers.
REVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for Intermodal increased by $239 million, or 18 per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to higher volumes from overseas markets, particularly through the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, and domestic retail shipments primarily in the consumer and grocery segments; the impact of a higher fuel surcharge; and freight rate increases. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
Revenues for Intermodal increased by $97 million, or 13 per cent, in the first six months of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was mainly due to higher volumes from overseas markets through the Port of Vancouver and from the Port of Prince Rupert; higher domestic retail shipments; the impact of a higher fuel surcharge; and freight rate increases. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
OUTLOOK
The domestic segment is looking to increase market share as a result of higher fuel prices, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) regulations, and service advantages in the rail industry. In order to take advantage of this growth, CN is making targeted investment decisions such as the announcement in 2011 of the acquisition of more than 1,200 domestic 53-foot containers to improve service for the grocery and consumer goods markets, in addition to 200 EcoTherm units.
The international segment continues to benefit from strong global trade, particularly transpacific trade. The ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert offer the fastest supply-chain transit time (a combination of vessel, terminal dwell and rail) to Chicago, Memphis, Detroit and the Ohio Valley, compared to other ports on the U.S. West Coast.
CN’s Level of Service Agreements with all major ports and terminal operators in Canada are creating faster and more reliable supply chains, and transit times; and are generating positive responses from both the international shipping lines and their own customers. As a result, the ultimate customer is switching to a CN supply chain. These agreements provide CN and its supply-chain partners with a competitive edge in international trade.
INTERMODAL SUPPLY - CHAIN INNOVATION
LEVEL OF SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH CN'S PORTS
CN has established level of Service Agreements with all major ports and intermodal terminal operators throughout Canada, driving new efficiencies in end-to-end supply chains. These agreements seek to minimize dwell times and increase velocity in and out of the ports.
WEST COAST
PORT METRO VANCOUVER (PMV) CN has supply-chain collaboration agreements with PMV and with TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI), the largest container terminal operator in Canada. These agreements are designed to release containers more quickly and enhance service to mutual customers and draw greater volumes of container traffic through PMV. CN and DP World, operators of the Centerm Terminal in Vancouver, have also signed a comprehensive Level of Service Agreement to further boost the supply-chain speed of Canada’s Pacific Gateway.
PORT OF PRINCE RUPERT CN, Prince Rupert Port Authority and Maher Terminals have signed a Level of Service Agreement, setting specific targets, and measures for continuous improvement in gateway performance.
These Level of Service Agreements with the ports, combined with CN’s 100-hour train service from the West Coast to Chicago, make the Company’s service offering competitive with that of U.S. West Coast ports. This service offering enables steamship lines to continue to grow with CN.
EAST COAST
PORTS OF MONTREAL AND QUEBEC CN has teamed up with the Montreal Port Authority and the Quebec Port Authority and associated terminal operators to create service arrangements and best practices to reduce time in the overall supply chain and increase global container market share.
PORT OF HALIFAX CN and the Halifax Port Authority, Cerescorp Company Limited and Halterm Container Terminal Limited have implemented an innovative agreement to better measure and align each party’s performance in the Halifax Gateway supply chain. This agreement serves to augment the Halifax port’s role as a gateway of choice on the East Coast to Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. Midwest markets.
CN has developed mechanisms to measure and evaluate each port participant’s performance against established transit times, dwell times, and other benchmarks.
PORTS
|
VANCOUVER
|
PRINCE
RUPERT
|
MONTREAL
|
HALIFAX
|
Port framework agreement
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
Terminal operator Service
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
Level Agreement (SLA)
|
|
|
|
|
Daily Key Performance
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
Indicator (KPI) scorecard
|
|
|
|
|
Daily resolutions
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
Vessel data sharing (EDI
transfer)
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
✔
|
ECOTHERM CONTAINERS AND ECORIDE CHASSIS:
LEADING ENERGY-EFFICIENT INNOVATIONS
For the many shippers who move temperature-sensitive products, CN’s EcoTherm super insulated 40-foot container service combines high-performance insulation, advanced engineering and no need for energy while in transit.
The service connects Toronto and Montreal with all points in Canada, and Chicago.
CN’s EcoTherm Service is economical, with significant cost savings, minimized blocking and bracing, and optimized payload capacity. EcoTherm is also environmentally friendly, since its temperature-control system does not use any fuel while on rail. EcoTherm offers superior on-time performance and peace of mind to shippers of beverages, food products, condiments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and other temperature-sensitive products. CN’s new EcoRide container chassis is expected to produce an eight to 11 per cent fuel consumption reduction for the Company’s trucking of containers to and from its Intermodal terminals.
The EcoRide chassis, developed by CN in conjunction with a Canadian supplier, is equipped with features that reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These energy-saving innovations include side skirts to reduce aerodynamic drag; a 15 per cent weight reduction compared to conventional CN chassis; and low-rolling-resistance single tires on each axle instead of the normal four-tire-per-axle configuration.
CN is continuously looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint. Following the successful EcoTherm launch, the Company is exploring other opportunities to provide customers with better supply-chain solutions that reduce carbon emissions.
INTERMODAL SPOTLIGHT
Wal-Mart Canada has awarded its prestigious Innovator of the Year honour to CN for 2010. This recognizes the Company’s ongoing efforts to deliver cutting-edge supply-chain solutions for Wal-Mart Canada’s evolving logistics network. The award commends CN’s drive and ability to support customers’ needs by leveraging its rail franchise and combining non-rail transportation solutions. Wal-Mart Canada highlighted CN’s new EcoTherm service as a good example of successful innovation. EcoTherm provides a greener, cleaner transportation solution with 48 per cent fuel savings on Wal-Mart Canada’s loads.
CN values its customers’ business and shares their sense of urgency to continually improve its service offerings. CN’s approach allows it to act quickly, turning challenges into ideas and then executing innovative solutions. The Company welcomes Wal-Mart’s recognition of this approach.
CN’s ability to deliver truck-like service by rail has allowed both the Company and Wal-Mart Canada to continue to benefit from economic and environmental standpoints.
LEADING ECONOMICALLY-
EFFICIENT OVERSEAS CONTAINER
REPOSITIONING.
|
GRAIN & FERTILIZERS
|
|
The Grain and fertilizers commodity group is involved with the movement of grain, fertilizers, and other agricultural products, primarily in Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest. In 2010, about 63 per cent of Grain traffic moved by CN originated in Canada, while 37 per cent originated in the United States.
Revenues from grain and processed grain products, which accounted for about 80 per cent of the total for this commodity group in 2010, are well balanced among three main segments: oilseeds and oilseed products (primarily canola seed, oil and meal, and soybeans), food grains (mainly wheat, oats and malting barley) and feed grains (including feed barley, feed wheat, peas, corn, ethanol and dried distillers grain (DDG)). CN also moves significant volumes of grain with its domestic and international container products, Selling One CN to the complex needs of the global grain trade.
CANADIAN GRAIN
In Canada, a large agricultural land base devoted to the cultivation of grain, oilseeds and specialty crops in Western Canada, and a relatively small domestic market mean that the majority of grain production is exported, predominantly by rail to the various port facilities. Crop production varies year to year, depending on seeded and harvested acreage, the mix of grains produced, and crop yields. Grain exports also vary, affected by the size and quality of the crop produced, international market conditions and foreign government policy. Key offshore markets for western Canadian grain include the Pacific Rim and the Middle East. Most western Canadian grain exported offshore is moved from a well-positioned system of high-throughput elevators on CN’s lines in the grain-growing areas of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to port terminal elevators that load vessels at Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C. and Thunder Bay, Ont. CN also moves western Canadian grain and grain products to eastern Canadian and U.S. Gulf ports for export, and to a variety of domestic receivers in North America.
CANADIAN REGULATED GRAIN
Historically, Canadian government legislation has regulated certain defined rail movements of grain from Western Canada. This includes CN grain shipments to terminals at Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Thunder Bay, but excludes movements to West Coast ports for export to the U.S. for consumption. These shipments are subject to a revenue cap which came into effect in August 2000. The revenue cap established a maximum revenue entitlement that railways may earn from regulated grain movements in a given crop year. Every crop year, the Canadian Transportation Agency adjusts each railway’s base-year revenue figure for inflation, volume and average length of haul. In 2010, grain traffic subject to the
|
revenue cap accounted for approximately 70 per cent of CN’s Canadian grain revenues and approximately six per cent of its freight revenues.
U.S. GRAIN
In the U.S., the CN rail system is well positioned in the heart of an important grain-producing territory. Four states where CN originates grain traffic – Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin – normally produce, on average, 40 per cent of the corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. CN’s domestic grain movements include corn and soybeans from these states to large grain processors in Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Other domestic grain movements are to the poultry-feeder markets in the Southeastern U.S., which rely on corn for feed. CN also moves grain and grain products to major export facilities on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
PROCESSED GRAIN PRODUCTS
Some of the leading global agribusiness entities have grain and oilseed processing plants located on the CN system in Canada and the U.S. As a result, CN also participates in the movement of processed grain products shipped to other receiver markets. Soybean and canola meal, corn gluten feed, barley malt, vegetable oils, corn syrups, and starches are some of the products moved by CN. These products move mostly in private rail equipment and containers.
ETHANOL
CN has access to 22 ethanol production facilities in the U.S. and Canada, with an estimated annual production capacity of 1.6 billion gallons. The Company provides efficient access to key consumers in the U.S. Midwest. CN also has access to an additional 700 million gallons of ethanol production capacity on U.S. short lines. CN’s ethanol traffic has tripled since 2006, reaching close to 39,000 carloads in 2010. These products move entirely in private rail equipment.
FERTILIZERS
Fertilizers and potash generated 20 per cent of CN’s Grain and fertilizers revenues in 2010. CN is a significant player in the Canadian rail market for fertilizers, with production centred primarily in Western Canada. CN serves or has access to all major potash mines in Saskatchewan, the centre for western Canadian production. The majority of Canadian potash moves by rail to markets in the U.S. or to ports for export to overseas markets.
In the United States, CN serves producers and consumers of various types of fertilizers, including nitrogen solutions, ammonium nitrate, urea and phosphate fertilizers. North American fertilizer production is heavily affected by the price of natural gas – a main raw material for most fertilizer production. These products move in a mix of private and CN rail equipment.
REVIEW
CN continues to innovate to better serve its customers in every area of its business – including the Grain and fertilizer segment.
SCHEDULED GRAIN PLAN In 2010, CN launched a transformational Scheduled Grain Plan for Western Canada that has dramatically increased the reliability of its service. CN applied precision scheduling to grain car deliveries, setting up operating protocols so that cars arrive at specific elevators at scheduled times on scheduled days every week. The plan has resulted in a fundamental improvement in system reliability. CN grain car unloads at Canadian West Coast ports reached near-record levels in the 2010-2011 crop year, which ended on July 31, 2011. CN moved more than 125,000 grain cars to export terminals at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert during the crop year – the most in 20 years.
SCHEDULED POTASH SERVICE CN also introduced a Scheduled Potash Service which focuses on end-to-end supply chain management.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for Grain and fertilizers increased by $77 million, or six per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to higher shipments of potash and feed grains, the impact of a higher fuel surcharge, and freight rate increases. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
Revenues for Grain and fertilizers increased $75 million, or 11 per cent, in the first six months of 2011 when compared to the same periods in 2010. The increase was mainly due to more numerous shipments of canola, soybean products and feed grains; freight rate increases; and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar and lower volumes of Canadian wheat to West Coast ports for export during the first quarter of 2011.
OUTLOOK
Annual grain volumes are directly correlated to the size and quality of the crop produced, international market conditions and foreign government policy. However, CN believes that the strength of its franchise and its strong commitment to service and efficiency position it as an important player in the grain-distribution network. In the U.S., the key CN-served states of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin will continue to play a major role in supplying the demand for corn. In Canada, CN’s extensive grain export connections, including unique access to two West Coast ports, are a competitive advantage.
CN’s Scheduled Grain Plan will continue to be a major contributor to facilitating growth in Canadian grain shipments by offering predictable service to export grain supply-chain participants. The Scheduled Grain Plan ensures that grain is moved into position when and where it is needed.
CN is also an important participant in Canadian exports of canola seed and in the delivery of canola oil and meal produced by the Canadian canola crushing industry. This industry has expanded capacity in response to increased demand for low-trans-fat edible oils and bio-diesel fuels. The 10 oilseed crushing plants served by CN in Canada operate three-quarters of the country’s production capacity. Canada accounts for more than half of all global trade in canola seed, meal and oil.
After a very strong year in 2010, the current market for potash and fertilizer remains positive, especially for potash which is experiencing strong offshore demand. The world’s growing population and limited arable land mean that crop-yield improvements will play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for food. In addition, expansion plans and new potash mines to be built over the next five to 10 years are expected to provide opportunities for CN, which will be complemented by CN’s new Scheduled Potash Service. Saskatchewan, Canada has the world’s largest reserves of recoverable potash. CN’s access to those mines, its North American franchise, and its connections to key ports, position it well to benefit from increasing global demand.
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GRAIN & FERTILIZERS SPOTLIGHT
CONTAINERIZED GRAIN EXPORTS
The practice of exporting by containers is already well established in processed grain markets and for specialty crops such as peas and lentils. Although containerized grain shipments still represent a small portion of total grain exports, increasing container trade will provide customers with more access to empty containers for exports. For example, containerized exports of specialty crops average approximately one million tonnes per year at the Port of Vancouver. This represents more than 30 per cent of all specialty crop exports through Vancouver.
CN has developed an innovative solution to maximize source loading of ocean carrier boxes. CN helps ocean carriers by reducing the inland empty movement for their assets, and the agri-product shippers gain options to export their commodities closer to the source. For ocean carriers, export opportunities such as specialty crop shipments or processed grain alleviate the sunk cost of shipping empty containers back to Asia, and improve round-trip economics. For grain traders, containerization provides key benefits, including the ability to preserve the identity of the grain and trace its origin. Also, containerization enables buyers to purchase smaller quantities of grain.
For CN, this development provides the opportunity to release capacity for certain types of railcars including hopper cars and boxcars and increase its business overall. CN’s ability to work closely with ocean carriers and grain customers has led to positive results for containerization. This is another example of the power of Selling One CN, creating a competitive edge to meet global trade needs.
GRAIN & FERTILIZERS SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
SCHEDULED GRAIN PLAN
CN introduced its new Scheduled Grain Plan in January 2010. Under this plan, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg yards become key empty unit train distribution hubs where scheduled day-of-week service to the various loading sites is offered. Under this more disciplined approach to grain service, fully 95 per cent of weekly grain traffic is now scheduled.
Having a pre-established day of the week for service allows customers to plan more accurately for their own business activities. It facilitates communications. Transit times, cycles and reliability have improved as well, increasing empty-car flow and fleet capacity for grain customers. The plan allows CN to smooth the network traffic over seven days instead of the five-day period used in the past.
CN’s new grain plan is intended to grow the Company’s business in this segment and help improve the supply chain for Canadian grain in world markets while tightly managing costs and network balance. CN’s successful delivery of hopper cars to specific elevators on specific days each week has translated into more predictable service to the grain industry. Grain companies can now schedule their staff at country elevators and waterfront export terminals. Since the rollout of the Scheduled Grain Plan, CN has achieved an average fulfillment rate of 83 per cent for the spotting of covered hoppers on the Company’s committed placement day.
GRAIN & FERTILIZERS SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
SCHEDULED POTASH SERVICE
In 2011, CN introduced its Scheduled Potash Service, focused on the end-to-end management of the supply chain in collaboration with customers. The new service has increased supply-chain efficiencies for producers in Western Canada and provides them with quicker access to markets. To drive new efficiencies, CN introduced an innovative tool which gives sales and operations personnel clear visibility of customer orders, essential for planning rail assets and scheduling shipments. With this approach, CN is working closely with its customers to minimize delays, expedite shipments, and provide supply-chain balance between placing empties and picking up loads.
CN also instituted a new potash fleet management team to work with customers to improve distribution of empty private hopper cars to mines for reloading. This initiative, with locomotives cycling between CN’s potash hub in Winnipeg and mines in Saskatchewan, has reduced switching requirements and car dwell times at terminals. As a result, CN has significantly reduced car cycles from mine to destination and return.
By scheduling potash unit train service, CN has reduced car cycle times for privately owned hopper cars from mine to destination and return to mine for loading by approximately 25 per cent – a significant efficiency gain for both the Company and its customers. This improvement helps CN’s potash customers get to market faster. CN benefits from the additional capacity provided by these efficiency gains and from its customers’ successes in their markets.
SASKATCHEWAN POTASH MINES (2010)
OWNER / MINE
|
LOCATION
|
ESTIMATED
|
EXPANSION
|
TIMELINE
|
|
|
MINE
|
PLANS*
|
|
|
|
CAPACITY*
|
|
|
Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (PCS)
|
|
|
|
Rocanville
|
Rocanville
|
3.0
|
2.9
|
2013 - 2015
|
Allan Mine
|
Allan
|
1.9
|
1.0
|
2012 - 2014
|
Cory
|
Saskatoon
|
0.8
|
2.0
|
2011 - 2015
|
Patience Lake
|
Saskatoon
|
1.0
|
|
|
Lanigan
|
Lanigan
|
3.8
|
|
|
Agrium
|
|
|
|
|
Vanscoy
|
Vade
|
2.1
|
0.8
|
2013 - 2015
|
Mosaic
|
|
|
|
|
Belle Plaine
|
Belle Plaine
|
2.8
|
2.0
|
2012 - 2020
|
Colonsay
|
Colonsay
|
1.8
|
1.3
|
2011 - 2017
|
Mosaic and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (PCS)
|
|
|
Esterhazy
|
Esterhazy
|
5.3
|
1.8
|
2011 - 2018
|
Total
|
|
22.5
|
11.8
|
|
Potential new mines
|
|
25.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Million tonnes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Company data
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|
|
|
|
SASKATCHEWAN POTASH MINES
COAL
COAL
|
OVERVIEW
Of the traffic moved by the Coal commodity group in 2010, 57 per cent originated in Canada and 43 per cent originated in the United States. Coal provided 86 per cent of revenues for this commodity group, and petroleum coke provided 14 per cent.
CN’s Coal business consists of thermal grades of bituminous coal, metallurgical coal and petroleum coke. CN has access to 13 coal mines and seven petroleum coke producing facilities in Canada and the U.S.
CANADIAN COAL
CN’s Canadian coal business competes on a world scale and is composed primarily of metallurgical coal traffic. This metallurgical coal accounts for 71 per cent of CN’s Canadian coal originated revenues.
METALLURGICAL COAL CN’s Canadian Coal business includes metallurgical coal, generally exported to steel makers in Japan, Korea, China through two coal terminals in the Vancouver area (Westshore and Neptune) and one terminal at Prince Rupert, B.C. (Ridley Terminals).
THERMAL COAL Canadian thermal coal is delivered to West Coast ports for deep sea export and power utilities – primarily in Eastern Canada.
U.S. COAL
In the United States, thermal coal is transported from mines served in southern Illinois, or from Western U.S. mines through interchange with other railroads, to major utilities in the Midwest and Southeast United States, as well as to offshore markets.
The Illinois Basin is a major bituminous coal-producing area, and includes the coalfields of Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky. Illinois Basin coal is increasingly exported via the Mississippi River.
In 2011, CN started handling U.S. Powder River Basin (PRB) coal for offshore exports through Ridley Terminals at Prince Rupert in connection with other Class I railways. This new trend to ship PRB coal through Prince Rupert is the result of strong Asian demand for coal.
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COAL
PETROLEUM COKE
The petroleum coke (or petcoke) industry is seeing a demand shift from the matured western markets to the rapidly growing Chinese and Indian markets. Asian demand has increased the viability of export shipping from Fort McMurray, Alta. To facilitate increased volumes, CN has invested millions of dollars in the construction of a new petcoke transload facility at Fort McMurray. The facility’s annual handling and loading capacity will be more than one million tonnes.
REVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for the Coal business group increased by $136 million, or 29 per cent, when compared to 2009. CN’s supply-chain approach, rebounding Asian steel markets, and business from new mines combined to generate stronger coal shipments to western export terminals. For 2010, CN’s West Coast coal carloads to Vancouver and Prince Rupert rose by 53 per cent. Expanding demand for thermal coal in the U.S., freight rate increases, and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge also contributed to growth. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
Revenues for the Coal business group increased by $16 million, or six per cent, in the first six months of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was mainly due to strong demand from offshore markets, favourably impacting North American coal producers; freight rate increases; and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These gains were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar and decreased volumes of Canadian petroleum coke, particularly in the first quarter.
COAL
OUTLOOK
As mentioned previously, 2010 was a strong year for coal, and CN is well positioned to continue to grow in a market that is seeing increasing domestic and global demand. CN is well positioned as a key supplier to help customers succeed as they expand their production capacity over the coming years.
Canadian coal producers are expected to continue to benefit from strong offshore demand for metallurgical and thermal coal. China and India are currently driving high metallurgical coal demand. Coal-based power generation in the Asia Pacific region is also driving increased demand for thermal coal. Canadian mine expansions as well as additional port capacity will enable Canadian coal suppliers to take full advantage of this strong market. CN will contribute as an important supply-chain link through its collaboration with coal suppliers.
U.S. domestic coal shipments are also expected to benefit from a drawdown of coal inventories at utility plants, while U.S. coal exports should continue to benefit from European and other offshore demand. In June 2011, CN sold all IC RailMarine Terminal Company assets (Convent, La.) to Raven Energy LLC (an affiliate of Foresight Energy LLC and the Cline Group) for US$73 million and entered into a 10-year coal transportation agreement with Savatran LLC (another Foresight and Cline affiliate) to haul coal from four Illinois mines to the Convent, La. transfer facility. Under the agreement, Savatran will ship a minimum annual volume of coal via CN. The new owner will expand the facility’s capacity to eight million tons of export coal per year, up from the current four-million-ton capacity, with the potential for an additional eight-million-ton expansion as market conditions warrant.
Asia, led by China, is expected to overtake the U.S. as the largest global demand centre for petcoke in the next few years. India, the world’s second-largest cement producer, is also expected to see strong growth in the petcoke market.
HIGHLY EFFICIENT UNIT TRAINS
INCLUDE DISTRIBUTED POWER-
EQUIPPED LOCOMOTIVES AND
LIGHT ALUMINUM RAILCARS.
COAL
CN provides service to and from the following coal mines in Western Canada.
CANADIAN FACILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Coal mines
|
Coal type
|
Operator
|
Location
|
Destination
|
Estimated annual
|
|
|
|
|
(terminal)
|
production
|
1. Bienfait
|
Thermal
|
Prairie Mines and Royalty Limited
|
Estevan, Sask.
|
Marmion Lake, Ont.
|
0.2 million tonnes
|
2. Burnt River
|
Metallurgical
|
Walter Energy Western Coal Inc.
|
Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
|
Ridley
|
2.0 million tonnes
|
3. Cheviot
|
Metallurgical
|
Teck Coal Limited
|
near Cadomin, Alta.
|
Vancouver, Ridley
|
2.0 million tonnes
|
4. Coal Valley
|
Thermal
|
Coal Valley Resources Incorporated
|
near Robb, Alta.
|
Vancouver, Winniandy, Ridley
|
4.0 million tonnes
|
5. Grande Cache
|
Metallurgical
|
Grande Cache Coal Corporation
|
Grande Cache, Alta.
|
Vancouver, Thunder Bay
|
2.0 million tonnes
|
6. Obed
|
Thermal
|
Coal Valley Resources Incorporated
|
Dalehurst, Alta.
|
Vancouver, Ridley
|
1.2 million tonnes
|
7. Trend
|
Metallurgical
|
Peace River Coal Incorporated
|
Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
|
Ridley
|
0.9 million tonnes
|
8. Wolverine
|
Metallurgical
|
Walter Energy Western Coal Inc.
|
Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
|
Ridley, Burns Harbor
|
2.4 million tonnes
|
9. Willow Creek
|
Metallurgical
|
Walter Energy Western Coal Inc.
|
near Chetwynd, B.C.
|
Ridley
|
1.0 million tonnes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminals
|
Operator
|
Location
|
Estimated annual
|
Estimated planned expansion
|
|
|
|
capacity
|
|
|
1. Neptune
|
Neptune Bulk Terminals
|
North Vancouver, B.C.
|
9.0 million tonnes
|
3.5 million tonnes by 2012
|
|
2. Ridley
|
Ridley Terminals, Inc.
|
Prince Rupert, B.C.
|
12.0 million tonnes
|
12.0 million tonnes by 2014
|
|
3. Thunder Bay
|
Thunder Bay Terminals, Ltd.
|
Thunder Bay, Ont.
|
11.0 million tonnes
|
|
|
4. Westshore
|
Westshore Terminals
|
Greater Vancouver (Delta),, B.C.
|
29.0 million tonnes
|
4.0 million tonnes by 2012
|
|
CN provides service to and from the following coal mines and terminals in the U.S.
U.S. FACILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Coal mines
|
Coal type
|
Operator
|
Location
|
Destination
|
Estimated annual
|
|
|
|
|
(terminal)
|
production
|
10. Crown, III.
|
Thermal
|
Springfield Coal
|
Farmersville, Ill.
|
Various power plants
|
3.0 million tons
|
|
|
|
|
and river terminals
|
|
11. Galatia
|
Thermal
|
American Coal Company
|
Galatia, Ill.
|
Various power plants
|
7.2 million tons
|
|
|
|
|
and river terminals
|
|
12. Pond Creek
|
Thermal
|
Foresight Energy
|
Dial, Ill.
|
Various power plants
|
6.5 million tons
|
|
|
|
|
and river terminals
|
|
13. Sugar Camp
|
Thermal
|
Foresight Energy
|
Sugar Camp, Ill.
|
Various power plants
|
7.0 million tons
|
|
|
|
|
and river terminals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminals
|
Operator
|
Location
|
Estimated annual
|
Estimated planned expansion
|
|
|
|
capacity
|
|
|
5. Cahokia
|
Cahokia Marine Service
|
Sauget, Ill. (via GWWR)
|
5.0 million tons
|
|
|
6. Calvert City
|
Southern Coal Handling
|
Madisonville, Ky. (via PAL)
|
6.0 million tons
|
|
|
7. CG&B
|
Consolidated Grain & Barge
|
Mound City, Ill.
|
3.0 million tons
|
|
|
8. Cook
|
Cook Coal Terminal
|
Metropolis, Ill.
|
20.0 million tons
|
|
|
9. Duquesne Wharf
|
Union Railroad
|
S.E. Pittsburgh, Pa.
|
8.5 million net tons
|
|
|
10. GRT 1
|
Kinder Morgan Energy
|
Grand Rivers, Ky. (via PAL)
|
12.0 million tons
|
|
|
11. GRT 2
|
Kinder Morgan Energy
|
Grand Rivers, Ky. (via PAL)
|
8.0 million tons
|
|
|
12. Convent Marine
|
Raven Energy LLC
|
Convent, La.
|
4.3 million tons
|
12.0 million tons
|
|
Terminal
|
|
|
|
|
|
13. IEI
|
IEI Barge Services
|
East Dubuque, Ill.
|
1.7 million tons
|
|
|
14. KCBX
|
KCBX
|
Chicago, Ill.
|
4.5 million tons
|
|
|
15. McDuffie
|
Alabama State Docks
|
Mobile, Ala.
|
10.0 million tons
|
|
|
16. P&C Dock
|
GLT
|
Conneaut, Ohio
|
11.0 million tons
|
|
|
17. Williams Bulk
|
Alliant Energy
|
Williams, Iowa
|
0.6 million tons
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ramp
|
Operator
|
Location
|
Loading capacity
|
|
|
14. Carbondale
|
Knight Hawk Coal
|
Carbondale, Ill.
|
1,000 tons per hour
|
|
|
COAL SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
FROM MINE TO SHIP
CN has changed the way it manages coal flow from mines to West Coast terminals. This has helped improve service to coal customers and grow their Asian market volumes.
The Company has developed a comprehensive new supply-chain approach. A series of clear metrics makes the supply chain more transparent to CN managers – highlighting coal inventories on hand at export terminals and mines, the arrival date of vessels at ports, the amount of coal being shipped from mines, and the number of trains in transit to and from the mines.
CN analyzes the complete supply chain from mine to ship. Upcoming vessel schedule and vessel capacity are reviewed to determine port stockpile minimum requirements. This in turn determines how many trains are required and the timeframe. It is important to know what is going on at the mine – since mine stockpile and production level, along with empty and loaded trains in the pipeline are analyzed to determine if there could be any potential challenge regarding vessel-loading deadlines. This is consistent with the CN principle of locomotive, crew, and equipment optimization. Colour coding is used to identify status: caution, boiling point, and on track.
CN’s new supply-chain approach, strong Asian demand, and business from new mines have combined to generate stronger coal shipments to western export terminals.
RIDLEY TERMINALS, INC.
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.
COAL SPOTLIGHT
CANADIAN METALLURGICAL AND THERMAL COAL – A BRIGHT FUTURE
In 2010 CN shipped 16 million tonnes of export coal to the West Coast, of which 12 million tonnes was metallurgical coal and four million tonnes was thermal coal. With high export coal demand, new mine openings, and existing mine and port expansions, CN traffic is expected to increase.
The major players in the Canadian metallurgical coal business are Teck Coal Ltd., Walter Energy Western Coal (which purchased Western Coal in 2011), Peace River Coal Inc., and Grande Cache Coal Corp. Coal Valley Resources Inc. ships thermal coal.
A number of major mine expansions and new mine openings stand to benefit CN. In all, up to 25 million tonnes of additional coal per year could be available for CN to ship over the next three to four years. In addition, PRB coal shipments to Ridley Terminals present potential growth opportunities because of overseas thermal coal demand.
CN’S SUPPLY - CHAIN ADVANTAGE
PRINCE RUPERT TO ASIA vs AUSTRALIA TO ASIA
METALLURGICAL COAL
Expansion plans are in the works at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert to accommodate these expected additional volumes.
|
|
RIDLEY TERMINALS Terminals can load up to 12 million tonnes of coal annually. With the addition of a second dumper and new stacker reclaimer, capacity is expected to increase to 24 million tonnes by 2014.
WESTSHORE TERMINAL Westshore Terminal in Vancouver has announced a capital upgrade and capacity expansion. The upgrade involves the change-out of the existing single dumper to a double dumper, and related equipment improvements. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. The anticipated rated terminal throughput capacity increase is approximately 33 million tonnes, up from the current 29 million tonnes.
NEPTUNE TERMINAL Neptune Terminal in Vancouver announced over $60 million of investments in its facility. These investments include a new stacker reclaimer that should increase annual coal-handling capacity from nine million tonnes today to 12.5 million tonnes in 2012.
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FOREST PRODUCTS
FOREST PRODUCTS
OVERVIEW
Among North America’s railroads, CN is the largest carrier of forest products and offers the first truly integrated North American transportation solution. Forest products commodities include lumber, wood pulp, paper, panel and other fibres such as logs, wood pellets and wood chips. In 2010, CN’s Forest products revenues were distributed as follows – fibres 38 per cent, lumber 32 per cent; paper 23 per cent and panels seven per cent.
CN provides extensive rail access to the western and eastern Canadian fibre-producing regions – among the largest fibre source areas in North America. In the U.S., the Company is strategically located to serve both the Midwest and Southern U.S. corridors with interline connections to other Class I railroads. CN is the only North American railroad with access to the West, East and Gulf coasts. CN’s unique tri-coastal network provides a number of import/export gateways to customers with interests outside North America. This strategic network, combined with CN’s transload capabilities, allows all CN customers to take full advantage of the Company’s rail and Intermodal offering and extend their reach to new markets in Asia, South America and Europe –solidifying their global market positions.
Despite the cyclical fluctuations in demand for forest products, CN’s geographical advantages, product diversity, and international customer base help to reduce the impact of these market fluctuations. Furthermore, CN’s continued drive to improve service enhances the Company’s competitive position in the transportation industry.
FOREST PRODUCTS
CN’s lumber shipments originate mainly in Western Canada and are destined for various points in North America and offshore.
LUMBER The lumber market is driven primarily by North American lumber consumption for new construction as well as for renovations. The housing market in the United States has been severely affected by the 2009 economic recession and recovery is very slow. U.S. housing starts reached a peak of 2.07 million units in 2005 but have since dropped significantly to average 587,000 units in 2010 and 570,000 in the first half of 2011. This downturn has led Canadian producers to look at new emerging markets, including China. Lumber exports to China now account for close to 25 per cent of the western Canadian total and are expected to continue to increase in the years to come.
A large portion of this new traffic is shipped by containers to Asia via the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Lumber can be transloaded inland at CN’s Prince George transload facility or at the various coastal transload facilities in Vancouver.
FOREST PRODUCTS
WOOD PELLETS
|
|
PANELS Panel shipments originate both in Western and Eastern Canada, bound mainly for destinations within North America. The largest end market for panel products is the construction market, particularly residential construction. The panel market remains difficult and will recover in step with the U.S. housing market.
Pulp and paper consumption is linked closely to overall economic conditions, primarily in the U.S., and to global paper demand.
PULP Pulp is predominantly used as a major component in the manufacturing of paper, tissue, diapers and other personal care products, and paperboard. The majority of CN-served wood pulp producers are located in Western Canada, with most consumers located overseas, mainly in Asia. Canada is currently the second-largest market pulp producer, surpassed only by Brazil.
PAPER North American demand for most paper grades is shrinking, with the newsprint sector being the hardest hit, down approximately 45 per cent since 2007. The decline in newsprint consumption is driven largely by increased competition from alternate media sources, including 24-hour television news channels, the Internet and new technologies such as electronic notebooks and tablets.
A rise in global trade of forest products is also changing supply and demand flows. Increasing worldwide consumption of pulpboard and tissue products has led to an increase in overseas production capacity. Manufacturers in developing markets, notably India and China, have been forced to import a significant amount of raw materials, primarily wood pulp and recycled paper, from Russia, North America and other fibre-rich regions because of scarce domestic wood fibre supply.
WOOD PELLETS Wood pellets, a green source of concentrated heating energy, are made from sawdust and wood chip residue from sawmill operations. In 2010, CN shipped over one million tons of wood pellets. The Company sees more opportunities for this relatively new commodity. CN’s network has direct access to wood pellet production areas and reaches key consumption markets in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S., as well as key export terminals on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
REVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for the Forest products group increased by $36 million, or three per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to higher shipments of wood pulp and lumber to offshore markets, the impact of a higher fuel surcharge, and freight rate increases. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
Revenues for the Forest products group increased by $29 million, or five per cent, in the first six months of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in the first half of 2011 was mainly attributable to freight rate increases; the impact of a higher fuel surcharge; and increased shipments of paper, pulpboard and wood pellets. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
|
FOREST PRODUCTS
The global recession of 2009 had a significant impact on all markets at CN including Forest products, where carloads dropped by 21 per cent. The business segment recovered in 2010 with five per cent carload growth.
The U.S. housing market continues to struggle with a high number of foreclosures and weak housing prices, and is expected to recover at a moderate pace over the long term. Canadian producers continue to look for other markets, and Asia will continue to play an increasing role in lumber consumption.
The wood pulp segment is expected to benefit from solid offshore markets. Wood pellets are expected to flow primarily into European markets, while fibres in the form of wood pulp and wood chips will move mainly into the Asian market.
The Company continues to develop and diversify product offerings, such as car reload programs and intermodal options; as well as expand its presence in developing markets for wood pellets, lumber, wood pulp and recycled paper. CN-served western Canadian producers continue to be some of the most cost-efficient mills in North America, and are focused on continuing to take advantage of new market opportunities for mountain pine beetle-affected wood.
With the increasing globalization of traffic flows and the growth of emerging product markets, CN is looking for new opportunities beyond the traditional Forest products segments.
FOREST PRODUCTS SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK SERVICE
CN, Squamish Terminals Ltd., Tembec Inc., Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership (CPLP), West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (WFT) and Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. reached an agreement in January 2011. Under this new agreement, CN provides seven-day-a-week service to Squamish Terminals, which in turn guarantees to unload pulp cars daily. The producers work with both CN and Squamish Terminals to manage inbound traffic flows to match export vessel schedules.
This agreement is intended to optimize the flow of wood pulp exports to global markets through Squamish Terminals, one of the largest pulp- handling terminals on North America’s West Coast. The agreement will add even greater transparency and accountability to the supply chain.
For the terminal operator, the agreement allows it to better plan transhipments of export pulp from rail to ocean-going vessel. This enhanced planning capability includes better forecasting of handling-equipment requirements and terminal-operations staffing needs. For the wood pulp producers, it helps them to reach the highest reliability levels for product delivery, and to provide superior customer service.
All stakeholders in this supply chain benefit from increased efficiencies and higher throughput. They stand ready to increase their share of growing international wood-pulp markets.
FOREST PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT
CN’s Forest products transload facilities network includes 17 strategically positioned transfer, warehousing and reload facilities handling over two million tons of forest products each year. These facilities provide a number of value-added services to rail and non-rail-served shippers and receivers. This allows the Company to extend existing rail shippers’ market reach and enable non-rail-served shippers and receivers to benefit from rail transportation’s cost advantages.
This network provides value-added services to CN customers:
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Positions products for just-in-time deliveries to markets outside their existing service areas.
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Reduces or eliminates customers’ capital expenditures and corporate risk.
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Provides state-of-the-art transfer and transportation services.
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Reduces or eliminates customers’ need for on-site storage.
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Provides seamless integration with CN’s rail network for non-rail served customers.
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VANCOUVER TRANSLOAD In the fall of 2011, CN is scheduled to start operation of the lumber container export facility at its Thornton Yard in Surrey, B.C. It will have an initial footprint of eight acres and throughput capacity of approximately 10,000 containers per year, with room to grow up to 20 acres. The facility, supplied with railcars of lumber originating in communities in the British Columbia Interior, will make it easier to transport lumber to export markets in China.
PRINCE GEORGE TRANSLOAD CN is also planning to increase lumber transload capacity at its Prince George transload facility to more than 30,000 containers annually. The facility was built in 2007 to support Port of Prince Rupert export opportunities. Prince George, located 500 miles east of Prince Rupert, is in close proximity to British Columbia’s large fibre reserves and other natural resources.
FOREST PRODUCTS TRANSLOAD FACILITIES
AUTOMOTIVE
AUTOMOTIVE
OVERVIEW
CN is a transportation leader for the automotive industry, handling over 1.8 million vehicles in 2010. CN is also a key player in the automotive supply chain, originating and delivering products throughout North America, as well as importing and exporting new vehicles through the ports of Halifax and Vancouver. CN’s rail network, vehicle distribution facilities and Intermodal terminals on the West and East coasts are well positioned to offer seamless access to key port facilities and global trade.
The Company participates in the movement of finished vehicles and parts, providing access to certain vehicle assembly plants in Canada, and Michigan and Mississippi in the U.S. CN also serves vehicle-distribution facilities in Canada and the U.S., as well as parts-production facilities in Michigan and Ontario.
CN’s north-south positioning – with rail connections to all Class I carriers at major gateways including Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; and Buffalo, N.Y. – offers automotive customers routing alternatives between Canadian, U.S. and Mexican locations. CN also offers service beyond the Chicago gateway, extending its automotive reach to a variety of interchange locations including Salem, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn.
In 2010, CN’s finished-vehicle traffic totalled 88 per cent of the Automotive group’s revenues, while vehicle parts made up the remaining 12 per cent. The Company’s Automotive revenues are closely correlated to automotive production and sales in North America.
AUTOMOTIVE
Automobile distribution centres accessible by CN
Allied Systems
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Delta, B.C.
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Annacis Auto Terminals
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Delta, B.C.
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Calgary
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Calgary, Alta.
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Charny**
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Charny, Que.
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Corner Brook
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Corner Brook, N.L.
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Edmonton**
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Edmonton, Alta.
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Flat Rock**
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Flat Rock, Mich.
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Fraser Wharves
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Richmond, B.C.
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Halifax**
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Eastern Passage, N.S.
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Jackson**
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Jackson, Miss.
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King Road**
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Woodhaven, Mich.
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Lansing**
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Charlotte, Mich.
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Moncton**
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Moncton, N.B.
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Montreal**
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St. Laurent, Que.
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Markham**
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Harvey, Ill. (Chicago)
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Regina
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Regina, Sask.
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Saskatoon**
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Saskatoon, Sask.
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St. John’s
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St. John’s, N.L.
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Toronto**
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Concord, Ont.
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Windsor
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Windsor, Ont.
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Winnipeg
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Winnipeg, Man.
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Woodhaven
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Woodhaven, Mich.
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**Autoport facility
REVIEW
For the year ending December 31, 2010, revenues for the Automotive group increased by $102 million, or 29 per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to significantly higher volumes of domestic finished vehicle traffic, freight rate increases, and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
Revenues for the Automotive group increased by $3 million, or one per cent, in the first six months of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was mainly due to freight rate increases and higher domestic finished vehicle volumes, partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar and lower shipments of imported finished vehicles partly due to the impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
The recovery in the automotive industry is expected to continue progressively, following a strong year in 2010. CN is well positioned to handle this upswing, serving automotive facilities that uniquely provide product for the North American market. The Company continues to work with its automotive customers to develop new supply-chain opportunities that will use CN’s rail network and assets for vehicle and automotive parts domestic and global distribution.
AUTOMOTIVE SPOTLIGHT
CN AUTOPORT
CN Autoport, a subsidiary company, offers automotive manufacturers a comprehensive range of vehicle-logistics services. A mainstay in the industry for 38 years, CN Autoport processed 2.4 million vehicles in 2010. Autoport’s customers include Ford, GM and Chrysler, as well as all European, Japanese and Korean manufacturers. Autoport’s vehicle services include: OEM yard management, quality assurance inspections, railcar load and off-load and vehicle release to haulaway carriers. Each transportation component is an integral part of the finished-vehicle supply chain. At several facilities, Autoport also provides for vehicle preparation including mechanical repair, paint and body-shop work. Autoport manages manufacturers’ vehicle inventory, full dealer pre-delivery inspection (PDI), and vehicle programs such as battery, wrap guard, maintenance, accessory and air conditioning installation.
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
IMPROVING DWELL TIME AT HALIFAX AUTOPORT
Autoport’s Halifax (Eastern Passage) Terminal, one of the largest vehicle-processing and transloading facilities in North America, receives vehicles weekly from ocean-going vessels. Autoport processes and transfers these vehicles to CN railcars for distribution throughout Canada. During 2010, Autoport undertook a comprehensive review of the supply-chain steps to reduce port dwell times. It adopted a “vehicle end-to-end approach” – including everything from ship discharge to vehicle dwell time and ground count reductions to rail transit improvements and dealer delivery. In providing for the dynamic and demanding global vehicle environment, these new processes have reduced vehicle port dwell times by 25 per cent since implementation, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers in terms of vehicle delivery and quality.
ASSEMBLY AND PARTS PLANTS
Car and truck models at CN-accessed assembly plants
Location
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Manufacturer
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Model
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CANADA
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ONTARIO
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Oshawa
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GM
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Chevrolet Impala
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Chevrolet Camaro
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Chevrolet Equinox
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Ingersoll
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GM
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Chevrolet Equinox
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GMC Terrain
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Oakville
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Ford
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Ford Edge
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Ford Flex
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Lincoln MKX
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Lincoln MKT
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Alliston
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Honda
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Acura CSX / MDX / ZDX
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Honda Civic
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Cambridge
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Toyota
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Toyota Corolla
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Toyota Matrix
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Lexus RX350
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Woodstock
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Toyota
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RAV4
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UNITED STATES
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MICHIGAN
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Flint
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GM
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Chevrolet Silverado
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GMC Sierra
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Detroit
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GM
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Cadillac DTS
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(Hamtramck)
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Buick Lucerne
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Chevrolet Volt
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Orion
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GM
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Chevrolet Sonic
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Chevrolet Orlando
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Buick Verano
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Lansing
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GM
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Cadillac CTS / STS
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(Grand River Plant)
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Lansing
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GM
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Buick Enclave
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(Delta Plant)
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GMC Acadia
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Chevrolet Traverse
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Rouge
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Ford
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Ford F-150
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(Dearborn)
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Flat Rock
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Ford
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Mustang
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(Auto Alliance)
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Mazda6
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MISSISSIPPI
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Canton
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Nissan
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Altima
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Armada
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Quest
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Titan
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PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS
OVERVIEW
CN’s Petroleum and chemicals commodity group is responsible for the movement of a wide range of commodities. CN ships petroleum products such as sulfur, crude oil, gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), alternative fuels, plastic pellets and feedstocks, petroleum and lubricant oil. On the chemicals side, CN handles a wide array of products, including sulfuric acid, caustic soda, pulp mill chemicals, methanol, salt, muriatic acid, industrial chemical gases, chlorine, ethylene glycol and insecticides.
Plastics, liquefied petroleum gas products (LPGs), petroleum products, and sulfur represented 64 per cent of the commodity group’s revenues in 2010, while chemicals made up the remaining 36 per cent. The primary markets for these commodities are within North America. As such, the performance of this commodity group is closely correlated with the North American economy. Most of the Company’s petroleum and chemicals shipments originate in the Louisiana petrochemical corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge; in northern Alberta, which is a major centre for natural gas feedstock and world-scale petrochemicals and plastics; and in eastern Canadian regional plants.
GULF OF MEXICO In the Gulf of Mexico, the Company benefits from access to the Louisiana petrochemical corridor, and port connections which enable customers to penetrate markets all over the U.S. and Canada. CN works closely with many waterborne freight terminal operators, facilitating the movement of imports and exports throughout North America.
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS
NORTHERN AlBERTA In northern Alberta, CN serves the petroleum and gas industry in the heart of the oil sands area and connects to ports on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts for offshore imports and exports. In addition to its role as Canada’s major centre for natural gas, feedstock, petrochemicals and plastics, this area is also home to the oil sands development. The oil sands present exciting opportunities for outbound crude oil, ultra low sulfur diesel, and sulfur products as oil companies continue to increase development and production.
EASTERN CANADA In Eastern Canada, CN transports products from various regional plants to customers in Canada, the U.S., and overseas. CN is the major rail carrier serving the Sarnia, Ont. petrochemical cluster. Customers in this area of the network should benefit from the large Marcellus Shale gas supply, which is expected to provide long-term feedstock stability.
CN is also linked to various Western Canada oil and gas developments in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan’s Bakken Formation area. The Company’s transload facilities are helping customers bring their product to market.
CARGOFLO® An extensive network of strategically located CargoFlo® facilities for liquid transfer and break-bulk needs complements CN’s direct-rail franchise, enabling the Company to offer complete door-to-door service to customers. This network provides the economy of long-distance rail transportation with the flexibility of short-haul truck delivery anywhere in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
CN is also focused on the movement of ISO tank equipment on its Intermodal service. To complement ISO tank service, CN is also offering flexitank service, a special equipment for transportation of bulk cargoes, using
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS
a standard 20-foot container. The Company works with its liquid shippers throughout its network for export and import to and from major markets such as South America and Asia.
REVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for Petroleum and chemicals increased by $62 million, or five per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to increased shipments of chemical products, resulting from improvements in industrial production; increased shipments of sulfur and petroleum products; freight rate increases; and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
For the first six months ended June 30, 2011, revenues for Petroleum and chemicals increased by $32 million, or five per cent, when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was mainly due to the impact of a higher fuel surcharge; freight rate increases; and greater shipments of chemical products as a result of improvements in industrial production, and refined petroleum products. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar and lower condensate volumes.
OUTLOOK
The Alberta oil sands development continues to represent attractive growth opportunities for CN. Although some projects have been delayed over the last few years as a result of the global economic crisis in 2009, more favourable oil prices have put some of these projects back in the spotlight. CN continues to work closely with customers in Alberta to capitalize on oil- and gas-related opportunities. In particular, CN sees potential for the outbound movement of oil sands products such as bitumen and synthetic crude to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, or eventually through West Coast ports to offshore markets. CN’s PipelineOnRail™ service offers shippers the ability to move oil sands products to market and use the same railcars to ship condensate to the oil sands. The concept is an attractive alternative to incremental pipeline capacity for shippers since it offers them destination options and volume flexibility, with little to no capital investment. In addition, CN is extending the PipelineOnRail™ service to the Bakken Formation oil reserves in southern Saskatchewan where there are significant opportunities for outbound shipments. CN can also supply chemicals required for well drilling and oil sands production.
CN also sees opportunities to capitalize on market-segment shifts. For example, as North American market production declines in certain chemical segments, and offshore imports fill the void, CN is well positioned on North America’s three coasts to transport these imported products. Additionally, CN sees opportunities to benefit from shifts in the refined petroleum market, including additional opportunities to move jet fuel and diesel fuel.
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS SPOTLIGHT
SERVICE TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
OIL SANDS Canada’s oil sands deposits in northern Alberta are second only to Saudi Arabia’s reserves. In 2008, CN purchased the line that serves the oil sands region, extending its network up to Fort McMurray, Alta. The Company also spent a considerable amount of capital to upgrade the line. CN is well equipped to play a key role in the transportation, logistics, and transloading of steel, pipes, equipment, machinery, cement and other materials needed for oil sands infrastructure construction. These materials come from points throughout the vast CN network, and from overseas. There are other opportunities as well for CN, since materials and equipment are also needed for northern Alberta’s industrial development and expansion of surrounding residential and commercial areas. CN is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, with its Alberta main line rail network located further north in relation to the competition’s.
Daily oil production is expected to more than double over the next 10 to 15 years. As bitumen shippers face the significant financial burden of supporting new pipeline construction, this is where CN comes in. CN’s rail network is already in place – with no need for shippers to wait and little or no capital required. Since CN’s pipeline runs on its rails, it is multi-directional with outstanding connectivity, reaching markets throughout Alberta, the rest of Canada, the U.S. Midwest, the Gulf Coast, and other export destinations. It is also scalable – with no minimum volume required. Shipment of bitumen by rail requires no blending with diluents, which can provide considerable savings compared to shipping by traditional pipeline. At the same time, while diluents will continue to be needed, CN will have the opportunity to ship bitumen to market and use the same railcars to bring diluent back to the oil sands area.
BAKKEN OIL The Bakken Formation is a production area located in southern Saskatchewan, and in Montana and North Dakota. It is an emerging market for CN. Since autumn 2010, the Company has been providing a direct truck-to-rail transportation solution for Bakken crude oil at Willmar, Sask., and is also looking at other CargoFlo® transload sites in Sasketchewan and Manitoba to support Bakken oil producers. CN’s network reach gives crude producers and marketers access to the U.S. Gulf Coast, the U.S. Midwest, and Eastern and Western Canada.
It also provides them with access to the Alberta oil sands, where Bakken crude is being used as diluent for bitumen. CN has direct access to the Louisiana Gulf coast. Using its connections to rail interline partners or barge transportation connections, CN also has access to the Texas Gulf coast. CN offers a flexible, scalable solution, with assets and service to match the Bakken sector’s evolving needs.
CN’S OIL & GAS FRANCHISE
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS SUPPLY-CHAIN INNOVATION
PRIVATE CAR PIPELINE MANAGEMENT
CN’s private car pipeline management initiative is engineered to make the Company the carrier of choice for private car shippers. Private car pipeline management employs the same car-management principles and practices that CN uses with its own fleet. This initiative meets customers’ needs while optimizing local service in conjunction with customers’ operations, and by getting the most out of their railcar assets while they are on CN tracks.
CN is taking a more interactive approach with its private shipper customers to better link their daily demand with the flow of their private-car fleets – both loaded and empty. This approach includes:
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a complete supply-chain overview of customers’ loaded and empty railcars;
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guidance regarding freight movements to enable rapid reaction to any supply-chain disruptions, and to avoid serving-yard congestion;
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and the provision of storage locations to prevent excess equipment accumulation and congestion in the Company’s yards, and to enable the Company to respond quickly to customer demand surges or any empty-car supply-chain disruptions.
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CN has tested this concept with customers on a pilot-project basis in the first half of 2011. Feedback has been very positive, with the Company meeting customer demand and helping its customers avoid any additional diversion- and storage-related expenses.
The ultimate goal is to synchronize the daily car supply with customers’ plant operations for optimized railcar loading.
PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS
METALS & MINERALS
METALS & MINERALS
OVERVIEW
CN's Metals and minerals commodity group is involved in the transportation of non-ferrous base metals, concentrates, iron ore, steel, construction materials, machinery and dimensional (large) loads. The Company provides direct rail access to aluminum, base metals, steel, frac sand and iron ore-producing regions, which are among the most important in North America.
In 2010, steel accounted for 29 per cent of the commodity group’s revenues; construction materials, 23 per cent; non-ferrous metals and concentrates, 21 per cent; iron ore, 20 per cent; and machinery and dimensional loads, seven per cent.
CN serves customers that are leaders in all areas of the metals and minerals sector. CN’s far-reaching rail service and its transload and port facilities have made the Company a leader in the transportation of copper, lead, zinc, concentrates, iron ore, refined metals and aluminum.
CN’s available capacity and its unique ability to provide consistent and reliable service put the Company in an enviable position for the conversion of truck traffic to rail. Base metals mining, oil sands initiatives, shale gas development and the recovery of the steel industry are the key growth drivers for the Metals and minerals group. Mining activities drive shipments of concentrates, metals and machinery. Oil-and-gas developments drive shipments of pipes, structural steel, frac sand, cement and dimensional loads.
REVIEW
For the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues for Metals and minerals increased by $133 million, or 18 per cent, when compared to 2009. The increase was mainly due to the continual improvement in the steel industry, which resulted in greater shipments of steel products and iron ore; stronger volumes of construction materials; and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar.
METALS & MINERALS
For the first six months of 2011, revenues for this commodity group increased by $34 million or eight per cent. The increase was mainly due to higher shipments of steel-related products, nonferrous ore, frac sand and pipes; freight rate increases; and the impact of a higher fuel surcharge. These gains were partly offset by the negative translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar and reduced volumes of nonferrous metals.
OUTLOOK
The Metals and minerals commodity group is well positioned to deliver good performance when North American and global economic conditions gather momentum. Long-term energy-related development including oil and gas pipeline projects, will benefit markets such as steel pipes, frac sand and dimensional loads. Wind farm developments are expected to continue to increase and rail transport will remain an important player. The steel industry, which has experienced major consolidations over the years, should benefit from increased North American steel consumption, CN’s vast network of
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IRON
NUGGETS
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metals transload facilities and the addition of more than 400 new coil cars and close to 800 new gondola cars since 2010.
The late 2010 opening of a new iron nugget plant on CN lines in Minnesota is expected to contribute to growth. In addition, CN is renewing its ore fleet with approximately 700 new cars coming on line in 2010 and 2011. The construction segment is forecasted to benefit from public and private infrastructure spending.
CN’s new, more flexible car ordering system will provide a more truck-like service offering. This new system is complemented by strategic positioning of empty cars close to the market.
The Company is well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities, thanks to its newly expanded network of rail-to-truck transload facilities, the recent expansion of its gondola and coil railcar fleet, plus its ability to provide consistent and reliable service.
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METALS & MINERALS
FRAC SAND – CN HAS THE RIGHT CONNECTION
With growing demand for cleaner sources of energy, shale gas is likely to emerge as a leading choice to meet North America’s future energy needs. The shift to more horizontal wells and multistage hydraulic fracturing techniques, which require large volumes of frac sand has made shale plays in the United States and Canada economically viable and attractive to investors.
Frac sand is used in the fracking process to hold shale fractures open and let natural gas and oil flow. To achieve the best efficiencies, the sand must be strong, chemically inert, round and permeable. With quartz sand deposits that formed from a shallow ocean which encompassed the region 500 million years ago, western Wisconsin has sand that is perfect for fracking.
One of CN’s main initiatives in developing its frac sand business is to create the right supply-chain connection between producers in Wisconsin and Canadian oil and gas shales in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and others in the U.S.
CN is the only railroad with direct access to the North East B.C. shales. Further driving the activity in B.C. is a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal planned for Kitimat and the Alberta oil sands, where natural gas is used to extract bitumen. The new LNG terminal is expected to open the shales to global market forces in the long term.
Rapid development in the shale gas sector in both Canada and the U.S. is generating huge demand for frac sand which adds up to more than 30,000 potential carloads a year for the Company.
SHALE GAS EXPLORATION AND
FRAC SANDS DEPOSIT SOURCES
METALS & MINERALS
CHICAGO METALS TRANSLOAD FACILITY
In November 2010, CN and North America Stevedoring Company, LLC (NASCO) announced the construction of a new multi-modal steel transloading facility in Chicago, the North American hub for steel transportation.
The new facility is located at the Port of Chicago on 190 acres of land adjacent to CN’s Kirk Yard and Interstate 90, roughly 13 miles south of downtown Chicago. It offers producers multi-modal transportation options by rail, truck, intermodal container, inland barge and ocean-going vessel for steel products, aluminum as well as dimensional loads and heavy equipment.
The Chicago Metals & Minerals Transload facility gives both CN and NASCO a strong foothold in the most important steel market in North America. Approximately half of the steel production and consumption on the continent takes place within a 300-mile radius of Chicago. Innovative and efficient facilities are critical to the industry.
CN serves the facility directly, tying it into its North American rail network reaching the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts. Together with NASCO, CN offers the steel industry new transportation options to tap regional and North American markets and new port gateways for imported and exported steel. The facility improves supply-chain efficiencies for the steel industry and enhances CN’s and NASCO’s competitiveness in important steel markets.
The new Chicago metals transload facility is part of a series of CN supply-chain initiatives aimed at positioning the Company to better serve its steel customers and grow its steel business. CN has also established strategic car-staging locations near producer facilities, allowing it to respond quickly to steelmakers’ spot-sales requirements. One staging location is at Sorel-Tracy, Que., northeast of Montreal, the other at Paris, Ont., located west of Hamilton.
METALS TRANSLOAD FACILITIES
SUSTAINABILITY
Environment
Safety
Regulation
ENVIRONMENT
TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
CN continues to deepen its commitment to environmental initiatives. The Company believes that the rail mode’s environmental and economic advantages position it as an integral part of efforts to meet challenges such as pollution prevention, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and natural resource conservation.
In 2010, the Company had some notable achievements on the environmental front.
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CN scored 82 per cent on the environmental dimension of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index;
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The Company identified a large number of environmental projects in its Sustainability Action Plan;
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It also extended its commitments to carbon-footprint reduction beyond rail operations to other fleet operations and buildings;
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CN received an environmental award from the Railway Association of Canada for its development of a walleye-spawning ground at the Reservoir Blanc, La Tuque, Que.
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CN’s environment policy covers various aspects of the life cycle of its activities, and is the platform for its environmental strategy and Sustainable Action Plan. The Company combines its expert resources, environmental management procedures, training and audits for employees and contractors, and emergency preparedness response activities to help ensure that it conducts its operations and activities while protecting the natural environment.
CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION
Rail outperforms all other ground transportation modes for hauling large volumes of high-density freight over long distances. The rail mode also relieves traffic congestion and reduces stress on strained public infrastructure. CN focuses on the reduction of its carbon footprint, which includes emissions from locomotives, and non-rail vehicles such as shunt trucks and cranes (“other fleets”) used in its Intermodal yards. Locomotives account for an estimated 85 per cent of CN’s GHG emissions. Buildings account for another seven per cent, with vehicle and vessel fleets emitting the remaining eight per cent.
Efficiency and emission reduction have always been an integral part of CN’s operations – consistent with the Company’s Precision Railroading approach.
ENVIRONMENT
RAIL AND YARD OPERATIONS Emission reduction in this area is a top priority, since it accounts for more than three-quarters of the Company’s GHGs. Over the years, CN’s asset-lean Precision Railroading initiatives, fuel-efficient locomotive acquisitions and locomotive technology upgrades, innovative yard efficiencies and focused fuel-conservation practices have all contributed to the reduction of the Company’s carbon footprint. In 2010, CN acquired 102 new locomotives that are 15-20 per cent more fuel efficient and 102 fuel-efficient second-hand GE Dash 8 locomotives.
In addition to its locomotive fleet acquisitions and upgrades, CN works with manufacturers and research centres to support the development of cleaner rail technologies. The Company is currently investing $1 million in research into next-generation locomotives using GenSets and alternative fuels.
CN’s SmartYard initiative is increasing the flexibility and efficiency of traditional switching practices at the Company’s largest yards.
The Company’s crews also receive training regarding better fuel-conservation practices, such as: locomotive shutdowns in yards, streamlined railcar handling, coasting and braking strategies, and notch limiting when maximum power is not required.
BUILDING OPERATIONS The carbon footprint from CN’s building operations includes consumption of electricity and miscellaneous fuels – propane, stove oil, natural gas, furnace oil and kerosene. The Company is developing a more accurate energy-consumption measurement system. Data gathered will be analyzed and used to set reduction targets for 2015. In the meantime, CN continues to identify energy consumption reduction opportunities. Over the past few years, the Company has focused efforts on upgrading efficiency within existing buildings and yards, incorporating green designs into new buildings and yards, and creating greener IT systems.
OTHER FLEET – Intermodal trucks and other Company vehicles account for about eight per cent of GHG emissions at CN. The Company is extending its Precision Railroading-based operational excellence to the other vehicles it operates in its day-to-day business. Initiatives in this area include trucking fleet specifications for aerodynamic design packages, and engine size and weight for fuel efficiency. CN also provides subsidies to truck owner-operators as an incentive to upgrade older models for greater fuel efficiency. The Company also focuses on preventive maintenance, route optimization and operator training for truck owner-operators.
CN’s On Company Service (OCS) fleet includes cars, light-duty trucks, and specialized heavy-duty trucks. The Company’s vehicle-replacement program provides for the purchase of state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids. CN also trains crews to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling, speeding, and insufficient utilization.
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ENVIRONMENT
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OTHER STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
CN constantly pursues the development of service and productivity initiatives. A focus on network velocity, train efficiency, first-mile/last-mile reliability and safety enables the Company to accommodate volume growth at low incremental cost, while maintaining a high service level for customers. Over the last five years, CN has spent almost $8 billion on capital improvements. This investment includes rail, tie and other track material replacement; and rail-line and bridge improvements. Efficient and reliable infrastructure is essential.
Innovative supply-chain solutions help to drive a lower carbon economy, and increase awareness among shippers of the strong environmental benefits of shipping by rail. CN offers a number of solutions to customers to help reduce the carbon footprint, including: modal shift protocol tools for calculating carbon credits resulting from switching from truck to rail; the shortest, most efficient routing; and other customer-centric innovations.
The Company is also growing its business to support clean energy markets. CN and its customers are capitalizing on increased opportunities in the sustainable energy sector. These include movements of biodiesel, wood pellets, and equipment related to cleaner technologies, such as wind turbines and solar panel components.
CN works together with its stakeholders to identify and implement solutions, and to reduce the supply chain’s carbon footprint. The Company increases customers’ awareness of government incentives to opt for rail-freight solutions. CN is also engaging governments in adopting the modal shift protocol throughout North America, and supporting customers in their use of the protocol. The protocol has been adopted by the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Customers in these provinces are eligible to receive offset credits which may be used to meet emission reduction goals, traded to other regulated emitters to help them achieve required reductions, or banked for future use. Employees are also engaged and encouraged to support sustainability efforts.
The Company is a signatory to the U.S. SmartWay Agreement, a voluntary program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the rail industry. Its goal is the elimination of 33 to 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions by 2012.
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SAFETY
SAFETY
PUTTING SAFETY FIRST
At CN, safety is a core value that is integrated in all railroad activities. CN’s commitment is to safeguard employees and assets, customers, the community, and the environment at all times. The Company is devoted to the provision of proper training, procedures and tools to ensure a safe and secure working environment that minimizes the risk of injury or accident, and delivers customers’ shipments damage-free.
CN’s safety focus has helped the Company to rank consistently among the safest railroads in North America. The Company works closely with federal, provincial and state agencies to meet safety standards and environmental regulations. CN also partners with municipalities to integrate their safety procedures with the Company’s own procedures.
Safety highlights for 2010 include:
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a reduction in FRA injury and accident rates;
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an increase in risk assessments and sharing of best practices;
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an expansion in the use of audits to assess compliance with operating rules and with CN’s Safety Management System and safety culture – an industry first.
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SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SMS)
CN continues to make important progress in the delivery of its Safety Management Plan, and in the improvement of its safety culture. Each year, the Company invests a significant percentage of revenues in safety training, technology and infrastructure – to ensure a safe and secure working environment, and to deliver customers’ shipments damage-free.
The Company’s Safety Management System is a proactive, comprehensive program designed to minimize risk and drive continuous improvement in the reduction of injuries and accidents in day-to-day operations. SMS focuses on four areas: People, Process, Technology and Investment.
SAFETY
PEOPLE
CN works hard to create a safe workplace by fostering a culture of safety awareness and safe practices. The Company invests significantly in training, coaching, recognition and employee involvement initiatives to strengthen its safety culture, knowledge and awareness.
The Company has implemented multiple programs focused on peer-to-peer coaching, and two-way dialogue between supervisors and employees to clarify expectations regarding safe behaviours.
Employee involvement, a fundamental part of SMS, is achieved through a number of initiatives, including “SaFE” programs, involving employees in peer-to-peer observations and coaching regarding critical activities, “Safety Summits,” and annual SMS conferences.
CN’s nearly 100 joint union-management committees in Canada and the U.S. help the Company to identify top causes of injuries and accidents, and implement solutions locally. Several years ago, CN instituted a process to strengthen the effectiveness of these committees.
TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENT
CN is committed to investment in infrastructure and technology to maintain a safe railroad and to improve reliability for its customers. The Company has the highest capital-investment ratio in the industry for Class I railroads. In 2010, CN invested approximately $1.7 billion in capital programs, of which approximately $1 billion was dedicated to track infrastructure and other initiatives to operate a safe railroad and to improve the productivity and fluidity of its network. In 2011, the Company plans again to invest $1.7 billion in capital expenditures.
PROCESS
Process initiatives aim to make safety a systematic part of all railroad activities. The Company is focusing its efforts on the top causes of accidents and injuries.
CN has developed a process to conduct risk assessments in a structured manner. Assessments are conducted throughout the year with the involvement of health and safety committees, and are made available company-wide through CN’s intranet site.
Based on the leading root causes of accidents and injuries, CN develops and prioritizes plans to address top safety issues with quantified targets at all levels of the Company.
A critical part of any safety plan is knowledge about what to do when things go wrong. CN’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) ensures that there is an immediate, coordinated response to deal with incidents quickly, safely and effectively. Every year, the Company’s Dangerous Goods group takes steps to enhance CN’s level of emergency preparedness and system protection.
CN’s comprehensive Security Management Plan provides a structured risk-based approach to network security management. Its key components include threat and vulnerability assessments of critical infrastructure, security alerts and countermeasures.
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CN Police officers in the U.S. and Canada protect customer goods, prevent and investigate crime, and ensure the safety and integrity of the Company’s facilities, equipment and property. They are also actively involved in rail safety-education initiatives in communities across the CN network.
The Company continues to make considerable investments in technology and infrastructure protection to help safeguard its people, its assets, and customers’ shipments. Surveillance at all major CN yards and terminals continues to increase with the addition of technology-based security measures.
LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY
PARTNERS IN RESPONSIBLE CARE ® CN is a partner in Responsible Care® in Canada and the U.S. This ongoing performance-improvement initiative was established by the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC).
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DANGEROUS GOODS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE In 2009 and 2010, the Dangerous Goods team further enhanced and implemented safety programs: multiple joint audits and inspections, a Tank Car Specialist Training Course for emergency responders from various communities, an Emergency Response Plan review in conjunction with various stakeholders, and the development of an enhanced Incident Notification Process. |
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CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT Customers who own or lease sidings or load and unload railroad equipment have a direct effect on CN’s safety performance. The Company works closely with these customers to share best practices in conducting safe railroad operations. CN’s Railroad Customer Safety Handbook raises awareness of key safety issues and the many ways customers can enhance the safety of their operations.
REGULATION
WORKING TOGETHER WITH GOVERNMENT
CN’s rail operations are subject to economic, safety and security regulation in Canada and the United States. The Company’s rail operations in Canada are subject to economic regulation by the Canadian Transportation Agency (the Agency) under the Canada Transportation Act (the CTA), and safety regulation by the federal Minister of Transport under the Railway Safety Act and certain other statutes. The Company’s U.S. rail operations are subject to economic regulation by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and safety regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
ECONOMIC REGULATION
CANADA
The CTA provides rate and service remedies, including final offer arbitration (FOA), competitive line rates and compulsory inter-switching. In addition, various Company business transactions must gain prior regulatory approval, with attendant risks and uncertainties. On August 12, 2008, Transport Canada announced the Terms of Reference for the Rail Freight Service Review to examine the services offered by CN and CP to Canadian shippers and customers. The review was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of analytical work to achieve a better understanding of the state of rail service. Phase 2 commenced on September 23, 2009 with the appointment of a panel to develop recommendations in consultation with stakeholders. Approximately 110 public submissions were made, including three from CN, in response to the panel’s invitation to all interested parties to provide written submissions. The panel issued an interim report on October 8, 2010, and filed its final report and recommendations with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in December 2010. This report, which was released to the public on March 18, 2011, recommends streamlined commercial dispute resolution, the establishment of service level agreements with customers, and public reporting of various system metrics amongst other recommendations. The Government of Canada accepted the panel’s report and announced that it intended to implement certain steps to improve the entire rail supply chain, including tabling legislation to give shippers the right to a service agreement. To date, the Government has introduced no new legislation.
U.S.
The STB serves as both an adjudicatory and regulatory body and has jurisdiction over railroad rate and service issues and rail restructuring transactions such as mergers, line sales, line construction and line abandonments. As such, various Company business transactions must gain prior regulatory approval, with attendant risks and uncertainties.
The STB has undertaken proceedings in a number of areas in recent years, on issues including fuel surcharges assessed by rail carriers, including the Company and the majority of other large railroads operating within the U.S.; dispute resolution procedures for medium-sized and smaller rate disputes; and the methodology for calculating the cost of equity component of the industry cost of capital that is used in various regulatory proceedings. The STB has been examining in 2011 the commodities and forms of service currently exempt from STB regulation and the liability of third parties for rail car demurrage. On June 22 – 23, 2011, the STB held a hearing on the current state of competition in the railroad industry. The STB will be considering the comments and may take further action.
The U.S. Congress has had under consideration for several years various pieces of legislation that would increase federal economic regulation of the railroad industry. Broad legislation to modify the system of economic regulation of the rail industry (S. 158) and legislation to repeal the rail industry’s limited antitrust exemptions (S. 49) have been introduced in 2011 in the Senate. S. 49 has also been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and there is no assurance that this or similar legislation will not progress through the legislative process.
The Company’s ownership of the former Great Lakes Transportation vessels is subject to regulation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, which regulate the ownership and operation of vessels operating on the Great Lakes and in U.S. coastal waters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has authority to regulate air emissions from these vessels. On August 28, 2009 the U.S. Coast Guard proposed to amend its regulations on ballast water management; the Company’s U.S.-flag vessel operator is participating in this rulemaking proceeding.
REGULATION
SAFETY REGULATION
CANADA
Rail safety regulation in Canada is the responsibility of Transport Canada, which administers the Canadian Railway Safety Act, as well as the rail portions of other safety-related statutes. The following actions have been taken by the federal government:
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In 2008, a full review of the Railway Safety Act was conducted by the Railway Safety Act Review Panel (Review Panel) and their report was tabled in the House of Commons. The Report includes more than 50 recommendations to improve rail safety in Canada but concludes that the current framework of the Railway Safety Act is sound.
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On June 4, 2010, the Minister of Transport tabled Bill C-33 proposing a number of amendments to the Railway Safety Act addressing the recommendations made by the Review Panel. The Committee had completed its study of Bill C-33, but the Bill died on the Order Paper when Parliament was dissolved in March 2011. On October 6, 2011, the government tabled Bill S-4 which includes essentially the same provisions as those that were in Bill C-33.
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U.S.
Rail safety regulation in the U.S. is the responsibility of the FRA, which administers the Federal Railroad Safety Act, as well as the rail portions of other safety statutes. In 2008, the U.S. federal government enacted legislation reauthorizing the Federal Railroad Safety Act. This legislation covers a broad range of safety issues, including fatigue management, positive train control (PTC), grade crossings, bridge safety, and other matters. The legislation requires all Class I railroads and intercity passenger and commuter railroads to implement a PTC system by December 31, 2015 on mainline track where intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads operate and where toxic-by-inhalation hazardous materials are transported. PTC is a collision avoidance technology intended to override locomotive controls and stop a train before an accident. The Company is taking steps to ensure implementation in accordance with the new law, including working with other Class I railroads to satisfy the requirements for U.S. network interoperability. The Company’s PTC Implementation Plan, submitted in April 2010, has been approved by the FRA. Implementation costs associated with PTC are estimated to be approximately US$220M million over the span of the entire project. The legislation also caps the number of on-duty and limbo time hours for certain rail employees on a monthly basis. The Company is taking appropriate steps and working with the FRA to ensure that its operations conform to the law’s requirements.
REGULATION
SECURITY
The Company is subject to statutory and regulatory directives in the United States addressing homeland security concerns.
In Canada, the Company is subject to regulation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
In the U.S., safety matters related to security are overseen by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), which, like the FRA, is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Border security falls under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border protection (CBP), which is part of the DHS.
More specifically, the Company is subject to:
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Border security arrangements, pursuant to an agreement the Company and CP entered into with the CBP and the CBSA.
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The CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and designation as a low-risk carrier under CBSA’s Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program.
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Regulations imposed by the CBP requiring advance notification by all modes of transportation for all shipments into the United States. The CBSA is also working on similar requirements for Canada-bound traffic.
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Inspection for imported fruits and vegetables grown in Canada and the agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fee for all traffic entering the U.S. from Canada.
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The Company has worked with the Association of American Railroads to develop and put in place an extensive industry-wide security plan to address terrorism and security-driven efforts by state and local governments seeking to restrict the routings of certain hazardous materials. If such state and local routing restrictions were to go into force, they would be likely to add to security concerns by foreclosing the Company’s most optimal and secure transportation routes, leading to increased yard handling, longer hauls, and the transfer of traffic to lines less suitable for moving hazardous materials, while also infringing upon the exclusive and uniform federal oversight over railroad security matters.
MANAGING ENERGY COST
FUEL SURCHARGES
In 2010, CN’s fuel expense exceeded $1 billion, making up a significant component of the Company’s total operating expenses. In order to reduce the exposure to fuel-price volatility, CN relies on its cost-recovery fuel surcharge program. CN applies the fuel surcharge universally across its customer base, and has one of the industry’s highest coverage levels at close to 90 per cent. The remaining 10 per cent is covered under Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and Canadian regulated grain tariffs which both have a fuel component.
CN 7400/7401
CN first implemented its fuel surcharge program in 2001 with the introduction of tariff CN 7400, a percentage-based fuel surcharge program linked to West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price fluctuations. As the price of oil escalated, the Company introduced a new, more comprehensive fuel surcharge, tariff CN 7401, on April 1, 2005. CN proactively reduced the 7401 surcharge twice over the following years.
CN 7402
In January 2007, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) concluded its review of railroad fuel surcharge practices and issued a final ruling. The STB directed rail carriers to adjust their fuel surcharge programs on a basis more closely related to the amount of fuel consumed on individual shipments.
As a result of the STB decision, CN introduced a new mileage-based fuel surcharge, tariff CN 7402, on April 26, 2007. CN 7402 is based on the average price of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) U.S. No. 2 Diesel Retail Sales by all Sellers (cents per U.S. gallon) On-Highway Diesel Fuel (HDF) with an effective strike price of US$1.25.
CN 7402 is applied on traffic moving under tariffs, with the general exception of containers, trailers, and finished vehicles, which continued to be subject to CN 7401; and on traffic moving under contract at the time of individual contract renewal.
For simplicity, the CN 7402 tariff varied based on the two following types of commodities moved:
• Bulk commodities: coal, fertilizer, and grain;
• All other carload commodities.
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MANAGING ENERGY COST
CN 7403
Effective April 1, 2008, CN began offering customers a new fuel surcharge option, CN 7403, similar to CN 7402, but with an effective strike price rebased to a more current fuel level: from US$1.25 HDF (per CN 7402) to US$2.30 HDF. All public prices were rebased to use CN 7403 effective April 1, 2008.
Similar to the CN 7402 tariff, CN 7403 varies based on the two following types of commodities moved:
• Bulk commodities: coal, fertilizer, and grain;
• All other carload commodities.
CN 7403 is applied on traffic moving under tariffs, with the general exception of containers and trailers which continue to be subject to CN 7401.
Calculated monthly, the surcharge is based on the second calendar month prior to the month in which the surcharge is applied, so as to meet the Canadian and U.S. legal requirements for notification. For example, the surcharge in April was calculated on the average HDF price for February.
The fuel price range in CN 7403 is in three-cent (U.S.) increments, allowing it to closely track HDF price fluctuations. For CN customers who are invoiced in Canadian dollars, the U.S. On-Highway Diesel surcharge is converted to Canadian currency based on the Bank of Canada monthly average exchange rate for U.S. funds. For example, the fuel surcharge in April was calculated on the average HDF price for February, and multiplied by the average exchange rate for February.
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MANAGING ENERGY COST
CN MONTHLY FUEL SURCHARGE PROGRAMS
FUEL
SURCHARGE
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TYPE |
BENCHMARK |
EFFECTIVE |
CN 7400 |
Percentage-based |
West Texas
Intermediate (WTI)
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October 1, 2001 |
CN 7401 |
Percentage-based |
West Texas
Intermediate (WTI)
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April 1, 2005 |
CN 7402 |
Mileage-based |
On-Highway
Diesel Fuel (HDF)
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April 26, 2007 |
CN 7403 |
Mileage-based |
On-Highway
Diesel Fuel (HDF) |