Marketing—A New Direction Cassiar’s Marketing Division, which was formed in 1977, is now an organized and responsive corporate function. This new Division has been added to accomplish two specific corporate goals. The first is to sell the Com- pany’s annual fibre production in an increasingly competitive world market; the second is to create and maintain an ongoing relationship with Cassiar’s customers, thus enabling a quick and effective response to their changing needs. In 1977 a start was made to achieve both of these goals. In the process, effective sales and adminis- trative procedures were developed and computerized. The Marketing Division is com- posed of five departments: Sales, Sales Administration, Traffic, Truck Transport and Asbestos Wharf. Each of these Departments is managed by an individual who co-ordinates his activities with all other departments within the Division. The marketing function includes—negotiating on cus- tomer's behalf freight rates with world-wide carriers and shipping con- ferences; complete documentation permitting the uninterrupted flow of fibre from the mine gate to a cus- tomer’s receiving door; negotiating Letters of Credit; booking space on vessels and surface carriers to domes- tic and overseas destinations around the world. Cassiar’s customers are located in forty-five different countries. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a cus- tomer’s problems, or opportunity that would not attract both the interest and support of Cassiar’s Marketing Division. Sales Action Around the World A good product, competitive prices, and high quality customer ser- vices are fundamental to successful marketing. Cassiar’s marketing program offers all three of these ingredients. In addition, the Division provides direct 18 technical assistance to customers through Cassiar’s key operating per- sonnel from the mine, mill and labora- tory, plus the facilities of the Ontario Research Foundation. Cassiar’s Marketing represen- tatives have covered all of the Company's principal asbestos market areas throughout the world. During these visits sales personnel, often accom- panied by members of Cassiar’s tech- nical or production staff, meet with customers as well as with the Company's strategically located Sales Agents. Being located in specific market areas the Sales Agents are in a posi- tion to provide customers with techni- cal assistance; offer advice regarding the importation of asbestos fibre into any country designated by a customer, and act as a local and continuing com- munications link between the Market- ing Division and its customers. The Sales Department of the Marketing Division keeps abreast of world-wide asbestos trade and pro- duction; the latest progress in asbestos product development; current pro- gress in environmental control and manufacturing machinery, and the latest methods of fibre packaging and transportation. 1,2. Cassiar’s Marketing Division and its Agents are fully familiar with international market conditions, custom requirements and transportation details related to the shipment of Cassiar fibre to some 150 customers located throughout the world. 3. During the year Cassiar marketing people, often accompanied by Cassiar’s technical personnel, call on customers located in over 45 countries.