In September of 2004, M2 formed a strategic alliance with MarketOps, Inc., a consulting firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a field office in Glendale, New York. MarketOps, having national coverage in the U.S. market, is an ideal fit to expand M2's resource base, leverage our capabilities, and allow us to better serve our client base, much of which operates across North America. In sourcing a strategic partner it was imperative to choose a company with an attitude to business management that is complimentary and enhances M2's overall competencies. The principals of MarketOps bring an approach to business consulting that is laser-focused on driving results for the client. They are highly experienced in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, in addition to multiple functional disciplines as detailed below:

Markets

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution and Retailing
• Ingredient and Packaging Technologies
• Natural and Organic Markets
• Cosmetics and Personal Care
• Nutraceuticals and Pharmaceuticals

Disciplines

• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• Technical Services
• Project Management
• Strategic Management
• Franchising

M2's strategic partnership with MarketOps has expanded our capabilities across a number of key areas that are both relevant and critical to the success of our clients. From a geographic perspective, our clients benefit from an expanded reach throughout all of North America, and an influx of new product ideas, concepts and potential solutions to the various challenges they face.

Alliances, partnerships and joint ventures can be a highly effective avenue for growth for any company. Let M2 demonstrate how strategic alliances can play a key role in the long-term growth of your business.