Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan Creating Brand Recognition in a Global Market March 24, 2009 Patricia Anderson, CEO Cooperative Elevator Co.

ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 15, 1915 Vision and mission today are similar… Vision Vision We develop long-term relationships with customers and the with customers and the community that exceed their community that exceed their business expectations business expectations

MISSION We provide quality service, We provide quality service, products, and markets to products, and markets to enhance the value of the enhance the value of the Cooperative Cooperative

Motto In Unity There Is Strength!

Quick Facts Owned by 940 producer members Owned by 940 producer members Employ 140 full-time and Employ 140 full-time and seasonal employees seasonal employees During 2008 over $92,000,000 was paid out to members for commodities grown During 2008 over $92,000,000 was paid out to members for commodities grown $65,000,000 investment in facilities and equipment $65,000,000 investment in facilities and equipment Over $176,000,000 in annual sales Over $176,000,000 in annual sales

Quick Facts Export Beans and Grain Export Beans and Grain Export Markets Include Export Markets Include Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Haiti, Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, South Korea, Sedan, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom Jamaica, Mexico, South Korea, Sedan, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom

Key Elements Members Members Board of Directors Board of Directors Management and Employee Team Management and Employee Team Equipment Equipment Facilities – 16,500,000 bu. storage Facilities – 16,500,000 bu. storage Markets – Global and Domestic Markets – Global and Domestic Relationships Relationships

Team

Ready to Serve

Beans

Grain

Agronomy

Petroleum

Feed

Ready to Serve and Committed to Michigan!

Facilities Throughout the Thumb Akron Bad Axe Bad Axe Elkton Elkton Fairgrove Fairgrove Gagetown Gagetown North Branch North Branch Pigeon Pigeon Ruth Ruth Sebewaing Sebewaing

Akron

Bad Axe

Elkton

Elkton Terminal

Fairgrove

Gagetown

Pigeon

Pigeon Colored Bean Plant

Ruth

Sebewaing

Markets, Central de Abastos, Mexico

Warehouse, Mexico

Central de Abastos, Mexico

Our Branded Product

Package Retail Product

Relationships Michigan Department of Agriculture Michigan Department of Agriculture Legislature Legislature Michigan State University Michigan State University Michigan Crop Improvement Association Michigan Crop Improvement Association Michigan Bean Shippers Association Michigan Bean Shippers Association Michigan Agri Business Association Michigan Agri Business Association Food Export Association Food Export Association

Premium Quality Bean Video

Why Do We Export? Demand from ethnic cultures for our quality products Demand from ethnic cultures for our quality products Freight advantage Freight advantage Offer enhanced markets to our patrons Offer enhanced markets to our patrons Diversify our business Diversify our business To develop global brand recognition To develop global brand recognition We like challenges We like challenges

Export Challenges Tariffs Tariffs Letters of credit Letters of credit Credit worthiness Credit worthiness Different accounting standards Different accounting standards Currency risks Currency risks Cultural differences Cultural differences Different business practices Different business practices Language barriers Language barriers Freight Freight

Export Opportunities Markets where you can achieve base hit results quickly Markets where you can achieve base hit results quickly Population Population Niche markets Niche markets Balance profitability with risks, cost and time Balance profitability with risks, cost and time Win-win attitude Win-win attitude

Export Help Value added grants Value added grants Brokers Brokers Knowledge of the culture Knowledge of the culture Knowledge of the customer Knowledge of the customer Representation in the marketplace Representation in the marketplace Export hotline Export hotline Branded program Branded program Access to trade shows and people Access to trade shows and people Marketing cost sharing Marketing cost sharing International attorneys-trademarks International attorneys-trademarks Credentialing offices - labeling Credentialing offices - labeling

Export Rewards 2006 named Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year 2006 named Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year Increased inquiries from additional countries for all commodities Increased inquiries from additional countries for all commodities

Export Checklist Collect information about potential export markets Collect information about potential export markets Gather information on a broad range Gather information on a broad range of markets of markets Research a selection of markets in Research a selection of markets in depth depth Make comparisons Make comparisons Use a formal matrix to weight questions according to importance Use a formal matrix to weight questions according to importance Make decisions Make decisions

Questions

In Unity There Is Strength! Thank You! Thank You!