Debra BorchardtTilray, Inc. (TLRY) has entered into an agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of cannabis cultivator Natura Naturals Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $35 million, but could ultimately grow to $70 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Tilray will deliver C$35 million at closing. This will be made up of C$15 million in cash and C$20 million in Tilray Class 2 common stock. The statement said that if Natura reaches certain quarterly production milestones over the following twelve-month period, up to C$35 million of Tilray common stock may become payable resulting in a total purchase price of C$70 million if fully achieved.
Based in Leamington, Ontario, Natura operates a 662,000 sq ft licensed greenhouse that was undergoing a phased conversion and retrofit that was 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.
Last July, Emblem Corp. (OTC: EMMBF) had planned to acquire Natura in a deal with a potential value of $76 million. By September though the deal fell apart and the agreement was terminated. Emblem had actually advanced Natura C$2 million for the expansion of its facility.
“We’re very pleased to have an agreement in place that allows us to expand our capacity to supply high-quality branded cannabis products to the Canadian market,” said Brendan Kennedy, Tilray President, and CEO. “Through an extensive and thorough search for the right supply partner, we’re pleased to have come to a mutually-beneficial agreement with Natura.”
If this deal is completed, Tilray will obtain Natura’s 662,000 square-foot greenhouse cultivation facility, of which 155,000 square-feet is currently licensed, and all subsequent cannabis output from this facility. Natura, through a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Leamington, Ontario, is a licensed cultivator under the Cannabis Act specializing in the greenhouse cultivation of cannabis.
