Entourage Health Corp. (TSX-V: ENTG) (OTCQX: ETRGF) (FSE: 4WE) (the
“
Company” or “
Entourage”) is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive
arrangement agreement (the “
Arrangement
Agreement”) with 1001007762 Ontario Inc. (the
“
Purchaser”) and 2437653 Ontario Inc. (the
“
Guarantor”) pursuant to which the Purchaser will
acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the
Company (the “
Common Shares”) pursuant to a
statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) (the “
Transaction”). Certain obligations
of the Purchaser under the Arrangement Agreement have been
guaranteed by the Guarantor. Each of the Purchaser and the
Guarantor are related parties of LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and
Eastern Canada (“
LPFCEC”).
Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement,
the Purchaser has agreed to acquire all of the Common Shares for
cash consideration equal to C$0.005 per Common Share (the
“Consideration”). The Arrangement Agreement also
provides for the same Consideration to be paid to holders of
certain vested convertible securities of the Company. In connection
with the Transaction, the Company has also entered into debt
settlement agreements (the “Debt Settlement
Agreements”) with holders of C$1,013,050 in aggregate
principal amount of unsecured debentures issued by a subsidiary of
the Company (the “Unsecured Debentures”). The Debt
Settlement Agreements provide for the full and final settlement of
the Unsecured Debentures in exchange for an aggregate cash payment
of C$250,000 to the holders of the Unsecured Debentures,
conditional upon closing of the Transaction.
Jason Alexander, director and Chair of the
special committee of independent directors of the Company (the
"Special Committee"), stated, “After thorough
evaluation, the Special Committee is confident that the proposed
Transaction offers the most favourable outcome for the Company and
its shareholders in light of the current challenges and the
upcoming expiration of the current forbearance agreement. The
Transaction ensures shareholders receive immediate, tangible value
while positioning the Company for future growth and
flexibility.”
Special Committee and Board
Approval
The Special Committee, comprised of independent
directors of the Company, was established to consider strategic
alternatives for the Company, including the Transaction. Evans
& Evans, Inc. (“Evans & Evans”), the
financial advisor to the Special Committee, has provided an oral
opinion to the Special Committee to the effect that, as of the date
thereof and subject to the various assumptions, limitations and
qualifications set out therein, the Consideration to be received by
the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders (other
than any shareholders that are an affiliate of the Purchaser
(“Purchaser Affiliated Shareholders”)).
Following receipt of the unanimous
recommendation of the Special Committee, the board of directors of
the Company (the “Board”) unanimously approved the
Arrangement Agreement and the proposed Transaction. Both the
Special Committee and the Board determined that the Transaction is
in the best interests of the Company and fair to the shareholders
of the Company (other than Purchaser Affiliated Shareholders).
Furthermore, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders of
Entourage vote in favour of the Transaction at the special meeting
of shareholders to be held to approve the Transaction (the
“Shareholder Meeting”).
The Arrangement Agreement resulted from a
comprehensive negotiation process undertaken at arm’s length with
the oversight and participation of the Special Committee advised by
qualified legal and financial advisors.
In reaching its unanimous decision to recommend
the Transaction to the Board, and in the Board's subsequent
decision to unanimously approve it, several key factors were
considered, including the following:
- Value
and Liquidity. The all-cash Consideration delivers
immediate value and liquidity to shareholders, offering benefits
given the limited trading volume, financial constraints and reduced
liquidity in the Company’s Common Shares.
- Debt
Obligations. The Company has indebtedness of approximately
C$167.6 million under its Senior Credit Agreement and Subordinated
Credit agreements (collectively, the “Credit
Agreements”) with the Guarantor. While the Company is
currently in breach of certain financial covenants and other
obligations under the Credit Agreements, such breaches are
currently waived until January 15, 2025 pursuant to the terms of a
forbearance letter dated November 28, 2024. In addition, the
Company has additional secured debt that is subordinated to the
Credit Agreements. Without amended debt terms in relation to all of
the Company’s indebtedness, the Company does not foresee being able
to meet its obligations in respect of its currently outstanding
indebtedness. The all-cash Consideration provides value to
shareholders that may not otherwise be available as a result of the
Company’s current indebtedness and financial outlook.
-
Fairness Opinion. The Special Committee received
an oral fairness opinion from Evans & Evans which concluded
that, based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures
followed, matters considered, limitations and qualifications set
out therein, the Consideration to be received by the shareholders
of the Company pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a
financial point of view, to the shareholders of the Company (other
than Purchaser Affiliated Shareholders). A written copy of the
fairness opinion will be included in the materials to be sent to
shareholders of the Company in connection with the Shareholder
Meeting.
-
Arrangement Agreement Terms. The Arrangement
Agreement was the result of a comprehensive negotiation process
that was undertaken at arm’s length with the oversight and
participation of the Special Committee advised by qualified legal
and financial advisors and resulted in terms and conditions that
are reasonable in the judgment of the Special Committee and the
Board, including a customary "fiduciary out" allowing the Company
to enter into a superior proposal in certain circumstances.
- Break
Fee and Expense Reimbursement. The Special Committee
negotiated a break fee payable by the Company which is reasonable
in the circumstances and only payable in customary and limited
circumstances. The Arrangement Agreement also includes expense
reimbursement equal to C$500,000 for both parties in certain
circumstances.
- Support
for the Transaction. All of the directors and executive
officers of Entourage as well as certain other shareholders have
entered into voting and support agreements representing, in the
aggregate, 27% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a
non-diluted basis), pursuant to which they have agreed to, among
other things, vote in favour of the Transaction at the Shareholder
Meeting.
Transaction Details and
Timing
The Transaction is not subject to a financing
condition. The Transaction is to be effected by way of a
court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations
Act (Ontario). The consummation of the Transaction is subject to
the approval of the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting by (i)
at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the Company's shareholders
at the Shareholder Meeting; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes
cast by non-Purchaser Affiliated Shareholders of the Company and
any other Company shareholder required to be excluded for the
purpose of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority
Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI
61-101"). Completion of the Transaction is also subject to
other customary conditions, including receipt of court
approval.
The Arrangement Agreement includes customary
deal-protection provisions. The Company is subject to
non-solicitation provisions, which are subject to customary
“fiduciary out” provisions that entitle the Board to terminate the
Arrangement Agreement in favour of an unsolicited superior
proposal, subject to the payment of the break fee described above
and subject to a right of the Purchaser to match such superior
proposal.
The Company currently anticipates holding the
Shareholder Meeting to consider and vote on the Transaction in and
around February 2025. If approved at the Shareholder Meeting, the
Transaction is expected to close shortly thereafter, subject to
court approval and the satisfaction of other customary closing
conditions. Immediately following completion of the Transaction,
the Common Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX Venture
Exchange and the Company is expected to submit an application to
the Ontario Securities Commission to cease being a reporting issuer
under applicable Canadian securities laws.
In connection with the entering into of the
Arrangement Agreement, the Guarantor has also agreed to extend the
terms of the forbearance agreement until the earlier of (i) the
termination of the Arrangement Agreement; (ii) the completion of
the Transaction; and (iii) the Transaction outside date specified
within the Arrangement Agreement.
Voting and Support
Agreements
In connection with the Transaction, each
director and executive officer of Entourage and certain other
shareholders have entered into voting and support agreements
pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their Common Shares in
favour of the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting, subject to
certain customary exceptions.
The Common Shares subject to voting and support
agreements represent approximately 27% of outstanding Common Shares
(on a non-diluted basis).
Advisors
Mintz LLP is acting as legal advisor to the
Company and the Special Committee.
Evans & Evans is acting as the financial
advisor to the Special Committee in connection with the
Transaction.
Goodmans LLP is acting as legal counsel to the
Purchaser and Koskie Minsky LLP is acting as legal counsel to
LPFCEC.
Additional Information about the
Transaction
Further details regarding the terms and
conditions of the Transaction are outlined in the Arrangement
Agreement, which the Company will file publicly on its profile at
www.sedarplus.ca. Additional information regarding the Transaction
will be provided in the information circular to be sent to
shareholders in advance of the Shareholder Meeting, and also be
made available on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company encourages
shareholders to review these documents for a detailed understanding
of the Transaction.
About Entourage Health
Corp.
Entourage Health Corp. is the publicly traded
parent company of Entourage Brands Corp., a licence holder
producing and distributing cannabis products for the medical and
adult-use markets. The Company owns and operates a fully licensed
26,000F sq. ft. Aylmer, ON processing facility. With its Starseed
Medicinal medical-centric brand, Entourage has expanded its
multi-channelled distribution strategy. Starseed's industry-first,
exclusive partnership with LPFCEC, the largest construction union
in Canada, along with employers and union groups, complements
Entourage's direct sales to medical patients. Entourage's elite
adult-use product portfolio includes Color Cannabis, Saturday
Cannabis – and now Dime Bag and Syndicate – sold across eight
provincial distribution agencies. Exclusive Canadian producer and
distributor of award-winning U.S.-based wellness brand Mary's
Medicinals, sold in both medical and adult-use channels. For more
information, contact Entourage:
For additional information or investor
or media
inquiries:1-888-385-5003Investor@entouragecorp.com
About LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and
Eastern Canada
Established in 1972, LPFCEC is one of the
fastest growing multi-employer pension funds across Canada, voted
top 10 pension funds by Benefits Canada. With a diverse investment
portfolio and over $12 billion in assets, LPFCEC has yielded
positive returns for the plan, great work opportunities for LPFCEC
members, and has created many needed institutions across North
America through a broad range of investments. Learn more at
lpfcec.org.
Forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information
Certain statements made herein, including
statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and
statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations
about developments, results and events which will or may occur in
the future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.
Forward-looking information relates to future events or future
performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding
future events and is typically identified by words such as
"anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend",
"likely", "may", "plan", "seek", "should", "will" and similar
expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an
outlook. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited
to, statements with respect to the Transaction, including the
expected timing of the Shareholder Meeting, the expected benefits
of the Transaction, the ability of the Company to enter into a
superior proposal, closing and various other steps to be completed
in connection with the Transaction, the expected de-listing of the
Common Shares and the Company ceasing to be a reporting issuer
following closing of the Transaction and other statements that are
not historical facts.
Forward-looking information is based upon
certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue,
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the
Company to be materially different from future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such information. There can
be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate.
Such information is based on numerous assumptions, including
assumptions regarding the ability to complete the Transaction on
the contemplated terms or at all, that the conditions precedent to
closing of the Transaction can be satisfied, and assumptions
regarding present and future business strategies, local and global
economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company
operates.
Although the Company believes that the
forward-looking information in this news release is based on
information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and
complete, this information is by its nature subject to a number of
factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could
cause actual results to differ materially from management's
expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking
information, including, without limitation, the following factors,
many of which are beyond the Company's control and the effects of
which can be difficult to predict: (a) the possibility that the
Transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions, or
on the timing, currently contemplated, and that it may not be
completed at all due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely
manner or otherwise, required shareholder and court approvals or
satisfy other conditions of closing necessary to complete the
Transaction or for other reasons; (b) the possibility of adverse
reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the
announcement or completion of the Transaction; (c) risks relating
to the retention of key personnel during the interim period; (d)
the possibility of litigation relating to the Transaction; (e)
risks related to the diversion of management's attention from the
Company's ongoing business operations; (f) risks relating to the
ability of the Purchaser to complete the Transaction; and (g) other
risks inherent to the Company's business and/or factors beyond its
control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company
or the ability to consummate the Transaction. The Company cautions
that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors
that could impact the Company's results.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature,
forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent
risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which
contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not
occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual
results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and
expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information.
Investors and others should carefully consider
the foregoing factors, other uncertainties and potential events and
the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Entourage's
disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities'
regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and should not
rely on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions
with respect to the Company. Furthermore, the forward-looking
information contained herein are made as of the date of this
document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to
update or to revise any of the included forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All
forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement.
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news
release.
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