Technology

QSL to drive further growth with iCON and CDPQ as new shareholders

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2024

QUÉBEC, Feb. 23, 2024 /CNW/ – QSL International Ltd. (“QSL”) is pleased to announce the arrival of new shareholders: funds advised by iCON Infrastructure LLP (“iCON”), CDPQ and the QSL management shareholders already active in the company’s capital. iCON is a long-term investor focused on infrastructure businesses in Europe and North America. CDPQ is a global investment group which is already active in the company’s capital structure.

QSL will remain headquartered in Québec and the company will continue to be led by the current executive leadership team. iCON and CDPQ are supportive of QSL’s growth strategy, including investing in new projects, particularly in Québec.

The transaction is anticipated to close in mid-2024. Upon completion of the transaction, Denis Dupuis, QSL’s founder, will be stepping down from the company.

Denis Dupuis, Founder of QSL
“I began this business in 1978 with $10,000 cash, a personal loan from my mother. My vision was to build a major company, anchored in the city of Québec, that would set the standard for maritime logistics through impeccable service, strategic development and lasting partnerships. Within just over 40 years, QSL has forged an enviable reputation and stands out for the clear promise it has made: to support the tailor-made success of our clients. Now the time has come to hand over the reins with a sense of accomplishment, confident that the future is in good hands and that my dream will continue.

I am proud of what we have accomplished at QSL, grateful for the confidence shown in the company by credible and ambitious partners and enthusiastic about seeing the current management team steer the company toward what promises to be a stimulating future”.

Robert Bellisle, President and Chief Executive Officer of QSL
“I’d like to acknowledge Denis Dupuis’ visionary leadership. He has shown remarkable vision and, over the past few years, has rigorously prepared QSL for further growth by putting in place a strong management team ready to take over and lead the organization to even greater heights in the future. We are grateful for his tremendous contribution to the company and the industry.

For our employees, clients and partners, this announcement heralds a new era of development, exciting projects and innovation, as we work together to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This marks a new era that will ensure sustainable growth for the organization, give it the means to achieve its ambitions and, above all, offer stimulating prospects for our people to dream even bigger!”

Kristoff Torfs, Partner at iCON
“The team at iCON is proud to include QSL within our portfolio of high-quality businesses in the ports and terminals sectors. We are also delighted to welcome another high-quality Canadian business into our portfolio, in addition to our current investments in Capstone Infrastructure and Vista Services.

Working in partnership with the QSL management team and CDPQ, we see great opportunity to consolidate the company’s position as a Québec champion in the ports and logistics sectors and grow the QSL business across North America“.

Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec at CDPQ
“CDPQ has been supporting QSL’s development in the form of loans since 2021. Through this initial introduction, we were able to get to know the company and see its major impact on the logistics chain. We are proud to take an equity stake today, which will enable us to keep the assets and talent here, alongside an experienced partner in the maritime sector. Working together, we will enable QSL to pursue an ambitious growth plan, in which Québec will remain the hub”.

About QSL
QSL is a North American port terminal and logistics operator headquartered in Québec, with a portfolio of 64 multi-purpose cargo terminals across Canada and the US. The business provides stevedoring services, tailor-made and innovative cargo handling solutions, transportation and marine services to its customers.

QSL’s socio-economic footprint is impressive, with over 2,000 employees across its activities. QSL is a Gold Standard winner of the Best Managed Companies in Canada. All of its port terminals are certified under the Green Marine program and in 2021, QSL became the first maritime company in Canada to join the United Nations Global Compact. In 2023, a significant portion of its activities obtained the ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (health and safety) certifications. Today, this pursuit of excellence continues, among other things, through the implementation of these certifications across all of its activities. www.qsl.com

About iCON
iCON is an award-winning, independent investment firm advising funds with $8 billion of capital. iCON focuses on making long-term equity investments in private, mid-market, infrastructure businesses located in Europe and North America. iCON’s affiliated funds have successfully invested in a diversified portfolio of 48 businesses spanning a range of infrastructure sectors including transport, utilities, telecoms, energy & environment and social infrastructure. Investors in iCON’s funds comprise blue-chip institutions across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.iconinfrastructure.com

About CDPQ
CDPQ invests constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, CDPQ works alongside its partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. CDPQ is active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2023, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 434 billion. For more information, visit www.cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X. CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

Advisers
National Bank Financial acted as financial advisors and McCarthy Tetrault acted as legal advisors to QSL and Denis Dupuis in respect of the transaction.

CIBC Capital Markets acted as financial advisors and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as legal advisors to iCON in respect of the transaction.

Scotiabank acted as financial advisors and Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal advisors to CDPQ in respect of the transaction.

SOURCE QSL

Technology

PlanetiQ Selected for NOAA’s Space-Based Environmental Monitoring IDIQ

Published

44 minutes ago

September 11, 2026

Selection builds on PlanetiQ’s long-standing relationship with NOAA and adds thermospheric neutral density to its environmental data offerings

GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PlanetiQ, a leading provider of commercial satellite-based environmental data, today announced that it has been selected as an industry partner under NOAA’s new Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Through the SBEM IDIQ, PlanetiQ will be eligible to compete for task orders to provide NOAA with two types of commercial environmental data: Global Navigation Satellite System-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) observations for atmospheric profiling and ionospheric monitoring, and thermospheric neutral density data for satellite orbit prediction.

“This selection builds on our long-standing partnership with NOAA and expands the ways our data can support the agency, from high-resolution atmospheric and ionospheric observations to thermospheric neutral density for satellite orbit prediction,” said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ.

The SBEM IDIQ, established by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) through its Commercial Data Program. The contract has a five-year base period followed by a five-year option and is effective from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2036.

Under SBEM, PlanetiQ will provide data from its existing satellite constellation as well as additional satellites planned for launch later this year. The company’s GNSS-RO observations provide high-resolution atmospheric profiles for numerical weather prediction and measurements of the ionosphere, including Total Electron Content (TEC) and scintillation. PlanetiQ will also introduce thermospheric neutral density data as a new commercial data product for NOAA NESDIS, supporting improved satellite orbit prediction and space-weather applications.

“PlanetiQ has built its business around delivering high-quality GNSS-RO data with the precision needed to improve weather forecasting,” said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ. “This selection builds on our long-standing partnership with NOAA and expands the ways our data can support the agency, from high-resolution atmospheric and ionospheric observations to thermospheric neutral density for satellite orbit prediction. We look forward to continuing to work with NOAA to advance weather forecasting and space weather applications.”

Per NOAA’s own press release, NOAA is expanding its procurement and use of new commercial environmental satellite data streams that will enhance weather forecasting and space weather monitoring. The SBEM IDIQ contract is a key part in the agency’s ongoing effort to boost U.S. weather forecasting capabilities.

PlanetiQ currently provides GNSS-RO data to NOAA NESDIS under the agency’s previous commercial data contract vehicle. The company’s most recent task order, announced in August, provides GNSS-RO and ionospheric data and bridges the transition to the new SBEM contract.

About PlanetiQ

PlanetiQ provides the highest-quality GNSS radio occultation (RO) data available from a commercial constellation of satellites, offering unmatched temporal and spatial resolution. The data drive accurate, high-impact weather and climate forecast models, helping improve Numerical Weather Prediction and AI forecasts, safeguard lives and property from severe weather. In 2025, PlanetiQ was awarded NOAA’s largest-ever contract for satellite weather data, valued at $24.3 million. PlanetiQ is a space-tech company that serves the most mission-critical government, defense, and industry leaders, including international weather agencies, enabling more resilient operations across sectors. Founded in 2015 and privately owned, PlanetiQ designs, builds, and operates the preeminent commercial constellation of GNSS-RO satellites, setting the standard for precision and reliability in atmospheric monitoring. For more information, contact info@planetiq.com

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SOURCE PlanetiQ

Technology

New Bloomberg Tax Projections Give Tax Professionals an Early Start on 2027 Planning

Published

44 minutes ago

September 11, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bloomberg Tax & Accounting released its 2027 Projected U.S. Tax Rates, which indicates a 3.2% increase in inflation from 2026 (compared to the 2.7% increase from 2025). The full report is available at https://aboutbtax.com/bmN8.

Bloomberg Tax’s annual Projected U.S. Tax Rates Report provides early, accurate notice of the potential tax savings that could be realized due to increases in deduction limitations, upward adjustments to tax brackets, and increases to numerous other key thresholds.

In an unprecedented event, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report the data from October of 2025. Thus, the C-CPI-U has been computed on an 11-month average.

The report accounts for several new adjustments made under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that affect tax planning for taxpayers in 2027 and beyond. For corporate taxpayers and passthroughs, they include an adjustment to the employer-provided child care credit, initially enhanced by the OBBBA. It also includes an adjustment to the threshold for information at source reporting requirements, which was initially increased by the OBBBA. For individuals, the report includes varied income tax rates with steeper adjustments for lower brackets.

“Tax professionals are being asked to make consequential planning decisions amid constant policy change and growing complexity,” said Evan Croen, head of Bloomberg Tax & Accounting. “By providing trusted projections before official figures are released and carrying those updates directly into the tools where professionals work, we can help them move from information to action sooner and spend more time applying their expertise to the decisions that matter most.”

The updated rates flow directly into Bloomberg Tax’s innovative software solutions including Bloomberg Tax Provision, Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets, and Bloomberg Tax Workpapers. This is an example of the power and efficiency of Bloomberg Tax & Accounting’s integrated suite of solutions, which modernizes the corporate tax process, from data collection to tax calculations that power key deliverable.

Other key adjustments, with comparisons of the 2026 amounts and 2027 projections, include:

Individual Income Tax Rate Brackets

Married Filing Jointly and Surviving Spouses

2026 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

Projected 2027 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

10% – $0 to $24,800

10% – $0 to $25,600

12% – Over $24,800 to $100,800

12% – Over $25,600 to $104,050

22% – Over $100,800 to $211,400

22% – Over $104,050 to $218,250

24% – Over $211,400 to $403,550

24% – Over $218,250 to $416,650

32% – Over $403,550 to $512,450

32% – Over $416,650 to $529,100

35% – Over $512,450 to $768,700

35% – Over $529,100 to $793,650

37% – Over $768,700

37% – Over $793,650

Unmarried Individuals (other than Surviving Spouses and Heads of Households)

2026 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

Projected 2027 Tax Rate Bracket Income Ranges

10% – $0 to $12,400

10% – $0 to $12,800

12% – Over $12,400 to $50,400

12% – Over $12,800 to $52,025

22% – Over $50,400 to $105,700

22% – Over $52,025 to $109,125

24% – Over $105,7000 to $201,775

24% – Over $109,125 to $208,325

32% – Over $201,775 to $256,225

32% – Over $208,325 to $264,550

35% – Over $256,225 to $640,600

35% – Over $264,550 to $661,375

37% – Over $640,6000

37% – Over $661,375

Standard Deduction

Filing Status

2026

Standard Deduction

Projected 2027

Standard Deduction

Married Filing Jointly/Surviving Spouses

$31,500

$33,200

Heads of Household

$23,625

$24,925 ($24,950)

All Other Taxpayers

$15,7500

$16,600

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

Filing Status

2026

AMT Exemption Amount

Projected 2027

AMT Exemption Amount

Married Filing Jointly/Surviving Spouses

$140,200

$144,700

Unmarried Individuals

(other than Surviving Spouses)

$90,100

$93,000

Married Filing Separately

$70,100

$72,350

Estates and Trusts

$31,400

$32,500

About Bloomberg Tax

Bloomberg Tax delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help tax and accounting professionals navigate a complex global landscape. By combining practitioner-driven insights with intelligent, AI-powered tools, we provide the expertise you need to ensure compliance, streamline workflows, and drive strategic decision-making. Our integrated solutions simplify intricate calculations and adapt to changing regulations in real time, empowering your organization to mitigate risk, optimize tax strategies, and achieve measurable results with confidence and precision.

Bloomberg Tax is part of Bloomberg Industry Group, an affiliate of Bloomberg L.P., a global leader in business and financial information, data, news, and insights.

For more information, visit bloombergtax.com.

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SOURCE Bloomberg Tax

Technology

o15 Capital Partners Announces Realization of $31 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility to Simplify Compliance

Published

44 minutes ago

September 11, 2026

ATLANTA, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — o15 Capital Partners (“o15”), through its Emerging America Credit Opportunities (“EACO”) fund and its affiliates, is pleased to announce the successful exit of a $31 million senior secured credit facility provided to Simplify Compliance Holdings, LLC (“Simplify” or the “Company”), a diversified provider of B2B training, events, and subscription information backed by Leeds Equity Partners (“Leeds Equity”). Repayment followed the sale of the Company’s datacenterHawk business unit to S&P Global.

The successful realization reinforces o15’s continued conviction in the lower middle market, where disciplined underwriting, sector expertise, and close sponsor partnerships can drive strong investment outcomes. The facility provided flexible capital to support the Company’s strategic objectives and Leeds Equity’s ongoing value creation initiatives.

“Leeds Equity was an excellent partner throughout this investment, and the outcome speaks to their track record building durable businesses,” said Kenneth Saffold, co-CEO and Managing Partner at o15. “We were glad to underwrite behind the strength of Simplify’s digital-first product suite across compliance, workforce training, and data and information assets.”

“o15 was a thoughtful and responsive partner throughout this investment. Their speed and ability to tailor a solution to the Company’s needs were meaningful factors in our financing relationship,” said Chris Mairs, Managing Director at Leeds Equity.

The exit underscores o15’s differentiated investment approach, combining thoughtful structuring, sector expertise, and a focus on measurable impact. Business services and information platforms remain a core area of focus for o15, given the critical role these businesses play across the lower middle market.

About o15 Capital Partners

Based in Atlanta, o15 Capital Partners is an alternatives investment firm that provides growth capital to undercapitalized lower middle market businesses and communities in the Healthcare, Education and Business Services industries.

To learn more about o15 Capital Partners or discuss a new investment opportunity, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn, or reach out to a member of our investment team.

Disclaimer: The information herein should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation of any security, investment, or investment strategy. References to this investment are for illustrative purposes only, are not representative of all investments made by o15, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any particular investment or investment strategy. Other investments made by o15 have had, and future investments may have different characteristics and results.

media@o15.com

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SOURCE o15 Capital Partners