acquisition Archives - Green Market Report

Debra BorchardtApril 20, 2023
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5min00

GRN Holding Corporation, Inc. (OTC Pink: GRNF) has completed the purchase of Mendocino Green Inc, which includes a cultivation license, nursery license, and distribution license from one of the oldest cannabis license holders in California. With this acquisition complete, the company said it filed a supplemental report with OTC Markets to remove the shell status symbol from the OTC Markets webpage. Removing this designation will take the company one step closer to its previously announced plans for Corporate Restructuring according to a public statement.

Donald Steinberg, the Company’s CEO, commented “This acquisition of Mendocino Green Inc, which includes cultivation, nursery, and distribution license for California, allows us to expand our footprint in the Cannabis market. This purchase directly impacts the success of the VivaBuds launch in Los Angeles.”

In January, GRN Holding Corp and Marijuana Inc said they planned to merge to become a consolidated entity, with Marijuana Inc’s existing equity holders exchanging their shares in Marijuana Inc, for equity in the consolidated public company.GRN Holding Corporation Signs Letter of Intent for Corporate Restructuring and GRN Holding Corporation Announces Name Change to Marijuana Inc. give more details on that transaction.

With the nursery, GRN Holding can support the development of the 17 Landrace strains their consultants at One World Legends are growing in Colombia. This will allow them to supply cannabis cultivators with Landrace tissue cultures that are sometimes very hard to obtain.

Frank Van Vranken of Mendocino Greens Inc. said, “The opportunity to be part of GRN Holding Corporation opens pathways for growth we did not have before. The distribution channels available through GRNF, tied in with our ability to source good quality, low-priced Cannabis from the scores of Cannabis farmers we currently work with, will have a great impact on the distribution part of this agreement.”


Adam JacksonAugust 1, 2022
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4min00

After the markets closed on Friday, SOL Global Investments Corp. (CSE: SOL) (OTCPK: SOLCF) posted colossal losses as it continues to search for stability amid new changes in leadership. The company released the findings in its unaudited financial report card for the second quarter ending May 31, 2022.

The company recorded a net loss of $128.7 million versus the same period last year, in which the company saw net income of $60.7 million.

During the first and second quarter this year, the company reduced its exposure to the cannabis sector as a percentage of its NAV from 24% to 18% as it continued to diversify into other areas such as clean technology, electric vehicles and the Miami real estate market.

“Despite immediate market headwinds, our Core investments continue to show strength and present tremendous shareholder opportunity both mid and long term”, its newly-minted Chairman and CEO Kevin Taylor said in the release. “Our team remains focused on supporting SOL’s core holdings, divesting non-core assets, right sizing operations and continuing to de-leverage our balance sheet through debt repayment and restructuring”.

Sol Global saw Jones Soda revenue increase 58% to $4.5 million versus $2.9 million in the first quarter last year. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased 40 basis points to 27.3% compared to 26.9% in the first quarter last year. The company saw growth across all major sales channels for its core bottled soda business, Jones Soda, and launched its Mary Jones cannabis-infused soda line, with 10mg Cannabis-Infused Sodas now available in the California market. Jones Soda Co. announced the findings in the first quarter ending May 11, 2022.

The company also saw some advances in their compliance cloud software company, Fyllo, which offers tools to access cannabis and CBD purchasing data — inking a bought deal with marketing firm Semasio in April. Fyllo also beefed up it’s regulatory database with a new “Jurisdiction Dashboard,” which will track and update jurisdiction-level cannabis activity and history to help users spot data-driven trends.

Sol Global also said that Michigan-based Common Citizen, which it owns, recently launched a cultivation partnership with boxing legend Mike Tyson’s premium cannabis line, California-based Tyson 2.0 — which Common Citizen also holds a minority stake in. Common Citizen said it will grow Tyson’s cannabis at its state-of-the-art hybrid greenhouse in Michigan, and will first yield “Knockout OG” and “Pound for Pound Cake”— both favorite strains of Tyson’s. The cannabis will be sold at Common Citizen retail partners in prepackaged eighths (3.5 grams) and 1-gram pre-rolls.

The company posted losses from investments totaling $97.9 million over the second quarter versus $83.3 million in gains during the same time last year. The unaudited Net Asset Value per share is equal to $3.43 in the second quarter versus $7.43 in the same quarter last year.

Sol Global made $26.1 million worth of payments towards its $50 million credit facility over the first two quarters this year, reducing the outstanding principal to $21.4 million as of May 31, 2022. The company said it made additional payments after the end of the quarter, resulting in a remaining principal balance of $7.835 million as of July 29, 2022.


Kaitlin DomangueJune 10, 2021
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4min00

Terra Tech Corp. (OTCQX:TRTC) announced their plan to acquire SilverStreak Solutions Inc. The two companies have executed an agreement for the acquisition to take place. The close is expected to occur within 90 to 120 days. After the close, SilverStreak’s CEO, Sterling Harlan, is expected to consult with the company for a period of six months. 

SilverStreak Solutions is a cannabis delivery service serving California areas like Sacramento, Yuba City, Citrus Heights, Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, and others. SilverStreak Solutions has 22 company vehicles and about 42,000 monthly customers. As one of the first direct-to-consumer cannabis companies in their area, SilverStreak is experienced in this space and a good move for Terra Tech. 

Terra Tech’s acquisition 

“We are delighted to continue our expansion with the addition of this high-quality and well-run delivery service,” said Frank Knuettel II, CEO of Terra Tech Corp. “We believe the synergies with Unrivaled’s existing brand portfolio and distribution operation makes enormous economic and operational sense. In addition, we expect to expand SilverStreak’s base of operations utilizing our existing assets in Northern and Southern California, with the intent to develop a statewide delivery operation giving us access to millions of California consumers.”

“This is the next step in our rebuilding initiative, and with our anticipated monetization of our Hydrofarm, we expect to expand our base of operations in the near future. I would like to thank Sterling and his team for the work they have done in building SilverStreak and being the next building block in our effort towards becoming the premier West Coast and Southwest operator of cannabis assets,” Knuettel II continued. 

Terra Tech is a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in California and Nevada. Terra Tech operates two dispensaries and a cultivation facility in California, with two additional cultivation facilities and a dispensary under development. The company operates in Nevada by way of joint ventures, operating a manufacturing and cultivation facility. 

Terra Tech sold property for $2.6 million 

Terra Tech recently sold a Nevada property on N. 4th Street, as local zoning changes prevent any cannabis activity in the area. The company sold the building for $2.6 million, improving their balance sheet by approximately $900,000, even after paying off $1.6 million in mortgages and other related sale costs. 

“Since taking over as CEO a few short months ago, we have continued to review our operations, divest unproductive assets and drive appropriate cost reductions. The successful sale of our N. 4th Street property is another positive step towards doing just that,” Knuettel said. 

“With the sale, we have now added approximately $900K to our balance sheet and alleviated numerous costs associated with its ownership, allowing us to focus our attention on working to position the company for what we believe is a very opportunistic future, including the upcoming anticipated closing of the transaction to acquire Unrivaled. This mutually beneficial transaction is expected to lead to immediate scale, driven by strong brands and revenue growth.”


Debra BorchardtDecember 22, 2020
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4min00

Columbia Care Inc.  (OTCQX: CCHWF) is buying privately-held Green Leaf Medical, LLC  for approximately $240 million with the potential for additional performance-based milestone payments. Columbia will make a payment of $240 million, consisting of a cash payment of $45 million with the balance of $195 million being satisfied by the issuance of 43,900,144 common shares of the company. The deal is expected to close in the summer of 2021 and Columbia said the deal is immediately accretive.

By acquiring Green Leaf, Columbia said it substantially expands its footprint and operating scale in the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic. It adds roughly 400,000 ft of cultivation and production capacity, four operating dispensaries and six undeveloped, but permitted dispensaries, in key limited license markets. It also brings vertical integration in PA and MD and immediately positions Columbia Care as a leading wholesaler.

“This combination affirms Columbia Care’s position as one of the largest cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers in four key states – PA, VA, OH and MD – three of which are expected to convert from medical to adult-use in the next 24 months. Green Leaf complements our retail footprint and brings wholesale leadership through which we can drive our portfolio of brands and unique products. The transaction is immediately accretive to gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Flow from Operations,” said Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia Care. “Ohio and Pennsylvania are already two of our top-performing markets by revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, and this transaction makes us one of the largest, most scaled wholesale and retail operators. In Maryland and Virginia, Green Leaf materially expands our wholesale footprint, retail dispensary network and the scope of our home delivery services. Acquiring Green Leaf immediately converts Maryland to an Adjusted EBITDA positive market. In addition, it accelerates our growth and profitability in Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. No organization in the industry will be better positioned to serve patients and customers in the mid-Atlantic than Columbia Care. ”

Commenting on the acquisition, Philip Goldberg, Green Leaf’s CEO and Co-Founder, said, “Columbia Care is the ideal partner to take Green Leaf through its next phase of growth. In conjunction with its existing scale and market-leading strategy across its portfolio, Columbia Care’s dedication to ensuring optimal accessibility and product quality aligns with our values and will improve our ability to serve and expand our customer base throughout the mid-Atlantic.”

Kevin Goldberg, Co-Founder, General Counsel and President of Green Leaf added: “We are excited to have the opportunity to expand the gLeaf brand beyond the mid-Atlantic region, and our partnership with Columbia Care gives us the ability to accomplish this quickly and efficiently. As founders and shareholders, we’ve built one of the best organizations in the industry, and we wanted to partner with a like-minded company in terms of its mission, values and culture. We look forward to joining Columbia Care’s leadership team to capitalize on the many operational synergies across each of our markets and deliver unparalleled results.”


StaffDecember 15, 2020
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4min00

GrowGeneration Corp . (NASDAQ: GRWG) has just announced its seventh acquisition of the year with its purchase of California-based Grassroots Hydroponics. This three-store chain of hydroponic garden centers in Southern California is known for being home to high-volume retail locations in AnzaLake Elsinore, and Murrieta. With these additions, GrowGen will operate 13 stores in the booming California cultivation market and 39 total retail locations across the country.

“We are pleased to add Grassroots to our growing portfolio, with its strong commercial operations and market position,” said Tony Sullivan, GrowGen’s COO. “We look to acquire best-in-breed hydroponic operations that complement and expand our footprint in mature cannabis markets, and Grassroots delivers a priority region, the critical Southern California market, for GrowGen.”

In November, GrowGen announced third-quarter revenues of $55 million and adjusted EBITDA of $6.6 million, which was the company’s 11th consecutive quarter of record revenues and EBITDA. The company also increased its 2020 revenue guidance to $185 million – $190 million, and adjusted EBITDA to $19.0 million – $20.0 million. It also updated revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2021 to $280 million – $300 million, and $34 million – $36 million, respectively.

Founded in 2008, Grassroots Hydroponics is one of the largest hydroponic operations in Southern California, with annual revenues approaching $20 million. This is GrowGenerations’s second acquisition in the state within a one-month period; in November, GrowGen acquired The GrowBiz, the nation’s third-largest chain of hydroponic garden centers, with stores in Northern California and Oregon.

Upsized Offering

GrowGeneration is also very favored by investors. The company recently upsized its offering from $125 million to $150 million. On Monday, the company completed the offering of an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares at a public offering price of $30.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $172.5 million. 

The company said it intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily to expand its network of hydroponic/garden centers through organic growth and acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Since 2014, GrowGen has acquired 34 stores and opened 16 new stores. The company said it plans to continue to pursue acquisitions going forward. “We actively evaluate and pursue acquisitions on an ongoing basis, and are focusing on Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Missouri as new markets where we plan to open new operations,” it said in the new prospectus.

 

 

 


Debra BorchardtNovember 2, 2020
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4min00

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. (TSX: FAF) (OTCQX: FFLWF) is buying Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp. in a deal valued at over $17 million. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020. An additional $4.6 million (approximately) will be set aside subject to authorizations for additional stores.

Friendly Stranger owns and operates 11 licensed cannabis retail stores across the province of Ontario with 4 additional cannabis stores in the pipeline to be licensed and operational by the end of the fourth quarter of 2020. The stores are called the “Friendly Stranger”, “Hotbox” and “Happy Dayz” and will continue to operate under those brand names.

“The acquisition of Friendly Stranger is transformative for Fire & Flower and is a product of our financially disciplined approach to aggregation in the sector. It will immediately put us in a leading position in the major Ontario market, and it allows us to increase the potential of the acquired stores using the proprietary capabilities of our Hifyre™ digital retail and analytics platform” shared Trevor Fencott, Chief Executive Officer of Fire & Flower. “The acquisition will bring some of Ontario’s longest established Cannabis brands into the Fire & Flower portfolio, transforming us into a multi-banner operator that appeals to a larger cross-section of cannabis customers. We are also excited to add Friendly Stranger’s demonstrated expertise in the high-margin accessories business to our team. We look forward to continuing to welcome Friendly Stranger customers into these stores and to our Spark Perks customer engagement program that already counts more than 150,000 members across the country.”

In September,  Fire & Flower delivered second-quarter revenue of $28.6 million including sales of $23.4 million in the retail channel, $4.3 million in the distribution channel, and sales of $0.9 million in the digital retail and analytics channel. At that time, the company said it was waiting for licensing at a number of locations in Ontario and intended to open these stores once final licensing was complete. During the onset of the COVID-19 public health crisis, Fire & Flower saw meaningful sales with basket sizes increasing as consumers purchased larger volumes of product. The company said it is now seeing consumer behavior return to normal seasonal levels and increased popularity in large format cannabis products, vapes, beverages, and edibles.

“Friendly Stranger is very pleased to be joining Fire & Flower, the leader in cannabis retail across the country,” shared James Jesty, President of Friendly Stranger. Friendly Stranger will benefit from the best practices set by the market leader including their technology-enabled approach and the scale brought from their operations. Through multiple brands in the Ontario market, Fire & Flower will benefit from the ability to serve diverse customer segments in the growing cannabis market.”

 

 


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