The Canadian National Railway Company’s (CN) North American Strategy

Description

The Canadian National Railway Company’s (CN) North American Strategy: Abstract

The Canadian National Railway Company’s (CN) North American Strategy is a case study by Patrick Leblond.

CN‘s privatization, which took place in 1995, is the most important privatization in Canadian history. Even more remarkable, however, is CN’s performance since then. In fact, CN has more than quintupled its market value in a little over ten years since privatization. The recipe for this success is based on a combination of rigorous operational efficiency and an internationalization strategy aimed at taking advantage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). However, with market growth in North America slowing down and U.S. regulators imposing strict limits on mergers and acquisitions, CN has now reached a crossroads. Is CN’s North American strategy still the right one?

Additional information

Also available in French.

Teaching notes are available for professors. Contact the HEC Montréal Case Centre.