- Acquisition boosts High Tide’s current U.S. revenue run rate by ~60% to over C$40 Million
- Highly accretive transaction for shareholders, as FABCBD generated 2020 revenue of US$10.8 Million and EBITDA of US$4.3 Million – with each metric having more than doubled in each of the past two years
- Strong financial profile which generated 74% gross margins and 40% EBITDA margins in 2020
- Complementary acquisition adding a fully direct to consumer e-commerce platform, which is in line with High Tide’s retail strengths
- Potential for meaningful synergies and cross-selling opportunities, including offering FABCBD products on CBDCity, GrassCity and Smoke Cartel and bringing the FABCBD brand to Canada and the E.U.
CALGARY, AB, May 3, 2021 /CNW/ – High Tide Inc. (“High Tide” or the “Company“) (TSXV: HITI) (OTCQB: HITIF) (FRA: 2LY), a retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing and distribution of consumption accessories, is pleased to announce that it is taking another step towards solidifying itself as a major player within the U.S. e-commerce marketplace for accessories and hemp-derived CBD products, by entering into a definitive agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement“) pursuant to which High Tide will acquire 80% of Fab Nutrition, LLC. (“FABCBD“), operating as FABCBD for US$20.64 Million (the “Transaction“), and will have a three-year option to acquire the remaining 20% of FABCBD at any time.
Founded in 2017 with its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, FABCBD has quickly grown to become one of the most popular brands for hemp-derived CBD products across the U.S., including CBD oils, creams, gummies, and dog treats. In 2020 FABCBD had over 1.3 Million online impressions and an average order value of US$91.90. FABCBD’s founder and sole shareholder, Josh Delaney, will join the High Tide team, as general manager of FABCBD, and will help with growing High Tide’s CBD business globally.
“Investors will recall that just over two months ago we declared our intentions to ramp up acquisition activity at High Tide, and we had disclosed our approach to focus on businesses that were in the U.S., compatible with our ecosystem, and generating meaningful results. In this context, I could not be more thrilled to announce the acquisition of FABCBD,” said Raj Grover, President and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide. “We evaluated numerous U.S. CBD opportunities and FABCBD clearly stuck out from the rest. FABCBD has been exceptionally run, having more than doubled revenue and EBITDA in each of 2019 and 2020, including generating terrific gross margins of 74% and EBITDA margins of 40% in 2020 – by far the highest of all CBD companies we evaluated. In addition to the company’s financial profile, we were also attracted to FABCBD’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and spirit of giving back – which are both ingrained in our DNA as well. With thousands of satisfied U.S. customers, the FABCBD brand is well positioned for international expansion. I am very excited to welcome Josh and the FABCBD team to the High Tide family,” added Mr. Grover.
“We’ve entertained many potential partners over 2020, measuring strategic fit, team dynamics and company mission. When we met Raj and the High Tide team, we instantly felt they had the right organization for us to align with. High Tide has a very complementary culture to FABCBD, with a similar EBITDA-focused approach that we appreciate.” said Josh Delaney, CEO of FABCBD. “Our team is very important and couldn’t be more excited to work with High Tide. I look forward to being a meaningful shareholder of High Tide and leveraging its resources and reach to continue driving the company’s CBD business globally,” added Mr. Delaney.
Strategic Highlights
Accelerates High Tide’s U.S. exposure – While High Tide was already in the U.S. CBD sector since organically launching CBDCity in May 2020, the addition of FABCBD will turn it into a major player overnight. Pro forma following the acquisition of FABCBD, the Company’s annual U.S. revenue run rate will exceed C$40 Million.
Immediate synergies and cross-selling opportunities – High Tide plans to offer FABCBD products on its other U.S. e-commerce platforms, CBDCity, GrassCity and Smoke Cartel in the near-term. A clear opportunity exists to bring the brand to Canada via an arrangement with a licensed producer and sell FABCBD products across High Tide’s own network of 85 retail outlets, as well as other retailers. Looking further out, High Tide intends to leverage its e-commerce and distribution infrastructure in Amsterdam to take the FABCBD brand to the E.U. market.
Pure e-commerce play is in line with High Tide’s strengths – FABCBD carries multiple product formulations that are exclusive to FABCBD and are manufactured by contract manufacturers around the country. 100% of sales are direct to consumer online from their website. In 2020 FABCBD fulfilled approximately 124,000 orders from over 1 Million unique site visitors.
Highly accretive to financial results – Given its online success and lean overhead, FABCBD generated 2020 gross margins of 74% and EBITDA margins of 40% – both of which are highly accretive to High Tide’s consolidated profile.
Continued growth – FABCBD has continued to post meaningful gains in both revenue and EBITDA during the first four months of 2021 compared to the prior year period. Of note, FABCBD generated US$160,000 of sales on April 20, 2021 – which including High Tide’s other platforms results in pro forma sales just shy of C$1 million for this year’s 4/20.
Large global potential – The European Business review recently cited a study by Grandview Research which predicts that, “over the next five years, the global CBD industry is projected to accelerate to $23.6 billion.”1 According to a Technavio market research report titled Global CBD Oil Market 2020-2024, the global CBD oil market is set to expand by USD $3.52 billion up to 2024, progressing at a compound annual growth rate of over 32%.2
Transaction Details
The Transaction, which is an arm’s length transaction, is subject to, among other things, receipt of required TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV“) approval, and other customary conditions of closing, is expected to close during the first half of May 2021, implies an enterprise valuation of US$25.80 Million, representing 6.0x 2020 EBITDA. The consideration for the 80% acquired will be comprised of: (i) US$8.08 Million (the “Share Consideration“) in common shares of High Tide (“High Tide Shares“) on the basis of a deemed price per High Tide Share equal to the volume weighted average price per High Tide Share on the TSXV for the 10 consecutive trading days preceding closing of the Transaction (“Closing“); and (ii) US$12.56 Million in cash (collectively with the Share Consideration, the “Consideration“). The cash portion of the transaction will be funded entirely with cash on hand. Upon closing, FABCBD will have approximately US$500,000 of cash and non-cash working capital and inventory of approximately US$550,000.
In addition to the foregoing, FABCBD’s founder has agreed to grant High Tide an option to acquire all the remaining shares in FABCBD not held by High Tide, and become the sole shareholder of FABCBD (the “Call Option“), at an enterprise value equal to the trailing twelve months of EBITDA multiplied by six. The Call Option will be exercisable at any time for a period of three (3) years following the Closing. In addition, High Tide has agreed to grant FABCBD’s founder an option to put to High Tide, the remaining shares in FABCBD not held by High Tide (the “Put Option“), at the same enterprise value of the Call Option. The Put Option will be exercisable by FABCBD’s founder for a period of two (2) years following the first anniversary of the Closing. The consideration under the Call Option or the Put Option, if exercised, will be satisfied in High Tide Shares, on the basis of a deemed price per High Tide Share equal to the volume weighted average price per High Tide Share on the TSXV for the 10 consecutive trading days preceding closing of the Call Option or the Put Option, as the case may be.
Bayline Capital Partners Inc. (“Bayline“) and KPMG LLP served as High Tide’s advisors in connection with the Transaction. In connection with the Transaction, the Company has agreed to pay Bayline, an arm’s length party, a finder’s fee equal to 3% of the Consideration, 50% in cash on Closing, and 50% in High Tide Shares calculated on the same basis as the Share Consideration.
The High Tide Shares issued Bayline and pursuant to the Share Consideration are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.
