Adastra Holdings Completes Acquisition of Phyto Extractions

“As a cannabis retail operator, I recognize the tremendous value Phyto Extractions will bring to Adastra,” said Michael Forbes, Chief Executive Officer of Adastra. “Phyto Extractions has already gained the trust of over 1,400 retailers and consumers across Canada, representing over 70% of all regulated Cannabis retail stores. I am confident that Adastra will leverage this position in the Canadian cannabis market to accelerate overall growth over the coming quarters as we enter new product categories. Adding flower and other SKUs, we expect to achieve $5 million in monthly sales by July 2022.”

Strategy to Drive Accelerated Growth and Profitability

Having completed its acquisition of Phyto Extractions, Adastra intends to drive accelerated growth and profitability through a comprehensive strategy of product innovation and enhanced retail engagement. Key elements include:

New Product Introduction: Adastra plans to increase the number of provincially listed Phyto Extractions branded SKUs in the Canadian market from 18 to 48 over the next year by expanding its offering into new product categories that meet the evolving preferences of Canadian cannabis consumers. In flower, Adastra plans to introduce new 28g and 3.5g weight formats and pre-rolls under various strains and sizes, targeted at the value and premium craft segments. In extracts, Adastra plans to release solvent-less cannabis extract products. These are expected to include the already announced shatter pen, along with sugar waxes and crumbles. And in Cannabis 2.0 products, Adastra plans to launch edibles that will be created and sold through Adastra Labs without additional capital expenditures.

Optimize In-Store: With full ownership of the Phyto Extraction brand asset, Adastra intends to engage in a targeted retail engagement strategy to optimize its existing in-store presence. This is expected to include leveraging its strong brand and existing relationships with distributors and retailers to get new products into provincial listings, maximize shelf space with retailers, and develop store promotion programs.

New Store Penetration: Adastra intends to continue to expand its retail footprint by leveraging the strength of the Phyto Extractions brand and its coast-to-coast sales force across seven provinces and territories. According to Leafly, there were over 2,100 cannabis retail stores across Canada as of July 2021.

Sales Force Expansion: Adastra employs a highly-skilled inside sales force of 8 salespeople across Canada that it intends to continue to scale and support as the business grows.

Operating Synergies: Adastra expects to realize operating synergies on unified management through leveraging Adastra Labs’ state-of-the-art 13,000 sq. ft. agricultural scale facility.

Transaction Overview

At closing, Adastra issued 20 million common shares to the former shareholders of Phyto Extractions at a deemed share price of $0.96 per share, for total consideration of approximately $19.2 million. Pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement dated September 15, 2021, the Vendors have agreed to a voluntary restricted period of four months and one day from the closing date of the acquisition. The acquisition is an arm’s length transaction, and there is no finder’s fee payable on closing.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward–looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward–looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward–looking information in this news release includes statements with respect to plans to leverage Phyto Extraction’s product development expertise, sales force and existing relationships, the expectation that the acquisition will be immediately accretive to the Company;  expectations of accelerated growth and profitability; the roll-out of additional SKUs and new product categories such as flower, pre-roll products, solvent-less cannabis extracts, branded beverages and other edibles; the expectation of sales growth increasing to $5 million in monthly sales by July 2022; plans to engage in a targeted retail engagement strategy; retail footprint expansion plans; the Company’s intended sales force expansion; expected operating synergies between the Company and Phyto Extractions; and timelines associated with new product offerings and SKUs. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company’s plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward–looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include that the parties may not close the transaction at all or on the anticipated timeline stated herein; changes in regulations or licensing affecting the Company’s business; reduced demand for cannabis and cannabis related products; reductions in the Company’s retail space and store locations; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. These and all subsequent written and oral forward–looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward–looking statements.

This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, “FOFI”) about the Company’s expected increase in sales on a post-closing and pro forma basis, which is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set out in the above paragraphs. The actual financial results of the Company on a post-closing basis may vary from the amounts set out herein and such variation may be material. The Company and its management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management’s best estimates and judgments. However, because this information is subjective and subject to numerous risks, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such FOFI. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date hereof and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company’s anticipated future business operations on a post-closing basis. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

Financial information regarding Phyto Extractions has been provided by Phyto Extractions and has not been independently verified by the Company as of the date hereof.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed or approved the contents of this news release.

(This information is primarily sourced from Adastra Holdings Ltd.  Highly Capitalized has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Read our Disclaimer here).