Canadian National Railway, Viterra sign new service improvement agreement to strengthen supply chain efficiency from grain elevators to export vessels

Alison Gallant

Alison Gallant

CALGARY, Alberta , December 20, 2011 (press release) – Viterra Inc. (TSX:VT) (ASX:VTA) ("Viterra") and Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) ("CN") announced today that they have signed a new service improvement agreement, which will strengthen Viterra's rail-based supply chain with CN.

Under the agreement, Viterra and CN will work together to review supply chain key performance indicators, cooperate on planning and forecasting, and address supply chain issues in a timely manner. The agreement is based on the belief that the actions of all supply chain participants affect the performance of the entire chain.

"At CN, we know that what gets measured can be improved," said Claude Mongeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN. "We believe our innovative agreement with Viterra will lead to greater supply chain efficiency, from the Canadian prairie elevators, to the export vessels. Our agreement with Viterra builds on the success of CN's Scheduled Grain train operation that has already delivered fundamental gains in grain industry supply chain performance. CN spots hopper cars at specific country elevators, at scheduled times, on scheduled days, every week. Our aim with this supply chain agreement is to further improve upon this service to help Viterra better compete in world markets."

"Through Viterra's world-class elevator and export terminal network and related logistics expertise, we work closely with growers in marketing and handling their grain at our facilities, moving it efficiently by rail and providing timely delivery to our domestic and international customers," said Fran Malecha, Viterra's Chief Operating Officer, Grain. "With this important new agreement, we will work even closer with CN to achieve greater supply chain reliability and improved service to our grower and export customers. Viterra and CN's commitment to continuous supply chain improvements is based on mutual trust and confidence, and will benefit all of our key stakeholders, making our sector even more vibrant."

About Viterra

Viterra provides premium quality ingredients to leading global food manufacturers. Headquartered in Canada, the global agri-business has extensive operations across Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, as well as a growing international presence that extends to offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, Spain and India. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Viterra operates three distinct business segments: Grain Handling and Marketing, Agri-products and Processing. Viterra's expertise, close relationships with producers and superior logistical assets allow the Company to consistently meet the needs of the most discerning end-use customers, helping to fulfill the nutritional needs of people around the world.

About CN

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.

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