Debra BorchardtEmblem Corp. (EMMBF) signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities in Natura Naturals Inc. that it does not already own for C$25 million in cash, C$12.5 million in mortgage financing and 26,102,941 common shares of Emblem. Emblem recently announced a C$3 million investment in the company and an agreement for 3,000 kg of cannabis supply per year.
The deal is valued at C$76 million (inclusive of Natura shares already owned by Emblem). As a result of this acquisition, Emblem will further its aggressive approach to sales growth both domestically and internationally backed by robust supply from the Natura greenhouse.
“Through the due diligence process of investigating Natura as a supply partner, we uncovered significant synergies between the two organizations,” said Nick Dean, CEO of Emblem Corp. “Providing high-quality products to Emblem’s medical and adult-use audiences continues to be our top priority. With the added capacity from Natura, we are able to aggressively pursue our focus on product innovation, building great brands and finding distribution partners domestically and internationally.”
Ontario-based Natura operates a 662,000 sq ft licensed greenhouse that is currently undergoing a phased conversion and retrofit that is expected to bring up to 15,000 kg of annualized cannabis production online in 2018. Once completed in 2019, the facility is expected to bring total annualized cannabis production capacity to approximately 70,000 kg per year. Natura will also bring 32 proprietary cannabis strains to Emblem’s library, significantly increasing Emblem’s intellectual property.
According to the company, Emblem currently has supply agreements with Shoppers Drug Mart nationally, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, and has an LOI to form a joint venture with German pharmaceutical wholesaler Acnos Pharma GmbH. Emblem also has submitted an application to supply the Ontario Cannabis Stores in Ontario. Under Emblem’s portfolio, it is expected that Natura will be a stand-alone brand in the adult-use market, joining Symbl, Emblem’s recently launched recreational brand.
In light of the Natura acquisition, Emblem has made the decision to suspend greenhouse construction plans at their Paris Road location. The construction of Emblem’s GMP certified lab located at their Woodslee location will continue with an anticipated completion date of December 2018.
