KPMG-SECOR studies on the logistics and transportation of goods - CargoM unveils the preliminary results of a study attesting to the importance of the logistics and transportation sector in Greater Montreal

MONTREAL, Jan. 21, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - CargoM, the logistics and transportation cluster, today unveiled the preliminary findings of a study on the industry's current state as well as the challenges it faces in the Greater Montreal area (GMA). "Obtaining the most accurate information available on our sector is key to CargoM's mission. It makes it possible for our members to rally around common objectives and concerted actions," stated Madeleine Paquin, President and CEO of Logistec Corporation and Vice-Chair of CargoM's Board of Directors.

Produced by KPMG-SECOR, this study first shed light on the importance of the logistics and transportation sector, evaluating its contribution to the economy of the GMA at more than $4.2 billion or approximately 40% of the Quebec volume. The study further revealed that the industry consists of more than 1,200 companies and 123,000 jobs in the GMA.

Surveys, meetings and interviews conducted with the sector's stakeholders have also made it possible to identify crucial industry issues such as an aging labour force, particularly at a time when the number of jobs is expected to grow over the next three year, while the industry's income and expenditures are closely related to sub-contracting and the interdependence of the sector's companies.

The study further identified three important factors affecting competitiveness in the GMA, i.e. labour costs, the quality of road infrastructures and regulations. "Identifying these competitiveness factors confirms the relevance of the various worksites we implemented since the creation of the CargoM Cluster. Therefore, these preliminary results allow all partners to agree on CargoM's priority actions over the coming weeks and months," explained the Cluster's Executive Director, Mathieu Charbonneau.

"The preliminary findings unveiled today allow us to draw a dynamic portrait of this sector's economic spinoffs and take stock of the future challenges the various players would like to meet. Work will continue but we are already better equipped to ensure Montreal's competitiveness as a transportation hub," concluded Mr Charbonneau.

CargoM has made it its mission to bring together all players in Greater Montreal's logistics and transportation sector, whose activities foster the sustainable economic development of the Montreal hub thanks to a focus on common objectives and concerted actions designed to increase the Cluster's outreach and competitiveness. 

For additional information on CargoM, go to its website at www.cargo-montreal.ca.

The Board of Directors of CargoM is chaired by Ms. Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. CargoM's activities receive financial support from the Ministère des Finances et de l'Économie (Quebec Ministry of Finance and Economy), the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (Executive Council of Quebec), the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montreal Metropolitan Community) and its members as a whole. For a list of members, go to: http://www.cargo-montreal.ca/fr/membres.php.

SOURCE: CargoM

For further information:

Magali Amiel
Project Manager, CargoM
514 508-2609, ext. 223
[email protected]