April marked the start-up of one of the largest heavy-hauling and oversized transportation consortiums in Eastern Canada, with all three partners based in or within close proximity to the St. Lawrence shipping corridor.

Quebec Stevedoring Limited (QSL), Groupe Robert (Watson and Sycamore) and Express Mondor marked a milestone in their development with the recent signing of an agreement to create Mondor-Watson, which targets markets in both the United States and Canada.

The three prominent enterprises in Canada’s Quebec province set the stage to consolidate their strategic positioning, accelerate their growth and enhance the range of services offered to their clients. Based in Quebec City, QSL is the majority shareholder of the new entity, while Mondor’s team runs daily operations.

Groupe Robert, which has 3,500 employees, remains a shareholder in the new consortium where it will play an important role through its expertise in transportation and logistics along with the many synergies with the rest of its network. Among other things, Groupe Robert has a big trucking fleet of 3,200 trailers that delivers containers to and from the Port of Montreal.

Direct unloading onto truck of windmill blades at Gros-Cacouna on St. Lawrence River. Photo credit: Express Mondor
Direct unloading onto truck of windmill blades at Gros-Cacouna on St. Lawrence River. Photo credit: Express Mondor

Rosario Robert founded Robert Transportation near Montreal in 1946. Today, the third generation of the Robert family is at the helm. As a Canadian and U.S.-bonded carrier, the company seamlessly transfers goods from one customs-bonded warehouse to another.

“At QSL, our vision is clear: to become the North American industry benchmark by supporting the success of our clients, actively participating in the growth of the Canadian and American import and export markets, and making a difference in our communities,” said Robert Bellisle, president and CEO.

Now in its 40th year, QSL operates an extensive stevedoring network spanning from Eastern Canada to the North American heartland and handling a large variety of commodities such as dry bulk, steel, forest products, breakbulk and project cargoes. Its cargo-handling operations cover some 30 ports, including 16 in Quebec, four in Ontario, and facilities in Chicago, Ill. and Ogdensburg, NY.

QSL’s Robert Bellisle stresses role of intermodality as “key to success for the future” Photo credit: QSL
QSL’s Robert Bellisle stresses role of intermodality as “key to success for the future” Photo credit: QSL

In an interview with the St. Lawrence Economic Council (SODES), Bellisle observed: “Our clients’ needs have evolved, requiring us to combine land and water transport to deliver merchandise to destination. We need new agility and effectiveness based on intermodality and access to new ports and terminals.”

Bellisle added: “Intermodality is the key to success for the future. Our clients’ cargo must travel faster and faster to reduce inventories and handling costs.”

“We are proud to associate ourselves with complementary and strategic partners such as QSL and Express Mondor for continued operations in this industry sector. The consortium will provide many opportunities and a broadened service offering to our clients”, said Michel Robert, president and CEO of Groupe Robert Inc.

“Our clients will enjoy cutting-edge expertise and enhanced services thanks to the talent and know-how of the 300-plus employees that the new entity will count on for its continued success”, said Éric Mondor, president and CEO of Express Mondor.

Established in 1995 by brothers Eric, Dany and Billy Mondor in Lanoraie, Quebec, Express Mondor has developed a strong niche in specialized and over-dimensional ground transport in Canada and the United States. Operating a fleet of compressed natural gas trucks since 2016, it joined the North American SmartWay program promoting a greener future.