Overview of Transaction with META
Key Transaction Highlights
- Nanotech shareholders to receive
$1.25 per share in cash, representing an aggregate transaction value of approximately$90.8 million - The purchase price represents a 101% premium to the 30-day volume weighted price of
$0.62 per Nanotech common share - Both a special committee comprised of independent directors of Nanotech (the “Special Committee”) and the full board of directors (the “Board”) unanimously recommend that Nanotech securityholders vote in favour of the Transaction
- The Board has obtained a favourable fairness opinion from
Echelon Capital Markets - The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by a special majority of Nanotech securityholders
Transaction Details
The total cash consideration of
The Arrangement Agreement provides for, among other things, customary non-solicitation covenants from Nanotech, but includes provisions that allow Nanotech to accept a superior proposal in certain circumstances subject to a five-business day “right to match period” in favour of META. The Arrangement Agreement also provides for the payment of a termination fee of
All directors and executive officers of Nanotech, holding approximately 19% of the issued and outstanding shares of Nanotech as of the date hereof, have entered into voting and support agreements in favour of META pursuant to which, among other things, they have agreed to vote their Nanotech securities in favour of the Transaction.
The Board recommends that securityholders vote in favour of the Transaction.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Arrangement Agreement, a copy of which will be available on SEDAR under Nanotech’s profile at www.sedar.com within 10 days following the date of this press release.
The Arrangement is expected to close in early October with the special meeting of securityholders expected to be convened for late September. An announcement about the exact timing of the securityholders’ meeting will follow in the near future.
The Transaction was negotiated at arm’s length and no finder’s fee is or will be payable by Nanotech in connection with the Transaction.
Advisors
Webcast Information
META’s CEO
Financial Highlights for the Three and Nine Months Ended
- Revenue was
$2.6 million and$6.1 million for the three and nine months endedJune 30, 2021 respectively, representing increases of 34% and 27% compared to the same periods last year. - Gross margin of 76% for the three and nine months ended
June 30, 2021 was lower than the 83% and 81% for the respective year-ago periods due to additional labour and other expenditures incurred to meet contract services deliverables in the current period. - Positive Adjusted EBITDA of
$453,368 and breakeven Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months endedJune 30, 2021 respectively, representing an improvement of 129% and 100% compared to the same periods last year. - Cash and short-term investments of
$8.9 million , and no debt at quarter end.
“Nanotech had a strong third quarter of growth with revenues of
Strategic Update
The Company remains focused on commercializing its technology for long-term revenue growth, with efforts centered around the following pillars:
- Contract services – The Company’s development contract with a confidential G10 central bank remains a key strategic focus with significant resources committed to this project. Developing a visual security feature that can be integrated into this country’s banknotes would be a significant milestone in Nanotech’s growth.
The Company is restricted from providing substantive information about this project, but management is encouraged by both the progress of this development contract and ongoing discussions with the customer. The Company secured all available purchase orders for fiscal 2021 with annual revenues expected to be approximately 27% higher than the prior year. This represents the largest annual scope of work for this customer to date and demonstrates the customer’s continued confidence in Nanotech’s technology. Discussions are also well under way for a second phase, multi-year development contract that management expects to finalize in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, along with purchase orders for fiscal 2022. - Product development – Based on the positive market feedback of Nanotech’s latest nano-optic product offerings, management believes there are extensive opportunities to offer these new visual products with exceptional differentiation in both the banknote and brand protection markets. As a result, the Company plans to continue to increase its investment in additional development staff, product trials, and certifications to drive technology advancement and enhanced product development to generate future revenue.
In the second quarter of 2021 the Company launched its LiveOptik™ PROTECT security foil for the brand protection market. This new product continues to be tested by several channel partners for inclusion in their product catalogue. Management plans to have additional product launches before the end of the calendar year for both brand protection and banknote applications. - Strategic partnerships – Nanotech has developed strategic relationships with established OEM manufacturers to enable scalable delivery for our customers. These relationships reduce the Company’s manufacturing risk and extend the market reach of Nanotech’s product offering. Management is also developing the Company’s internal production capability to complement these OEM offerings, which is being optimized for the Company’s proprietary KolourOptik® technology platform. Nanotech is uniquely positioned as a leader in developing and mass-producing complex nanostructures, which could have applications beyond the Company’s initial key markets in brand protection and banknote authentication.
- Expanded channels to market – Nanotech will continue to market its products and pursue revenue through both direct sales and strategic channel partners who promote and offer Nanotech’s products to their existing customers. Management expects to expand the Company’s network of channel partners as new products are launched throughout fiscal 2021.
Product revenue decreased to$289,381 for the three months endedJune 30, 2021 , compared to$450,809 during the same period last year. Nanotech delivered ten customer product orders in the quarter, compared to three in the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis, product revenue of$486,783 from nineteen orders was lower than product revenue of$817,206 from fifteen orders in the same period of 2020. These variances were partially due to the timing of certain recurring orders, which can vary from year to year.
Select Financial Information
All results are reported in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||
Contract services | $ | 2,315,641 | $ | 1,495,812 | 55 | % | $ | 5,628,372 | $ | 3,983,857 | 41 | % | ||||
Products and services | 289,381 | 450,808 | (36 | %) | 486,782 | 817,205 | (40 | %) | ||||||||
Revenue | 2,605,022 | 1,946,620 | 34 | % | 6,115,154 | 4,801,062 | 27 | % | ||||||||
Gross margin | 1,972,285 | 1,609,798 | 23 | % | 4,637,864 | 3,907,021 | 19 | % | ||||||||
Gross margin % | 76% | 83% | 76% | 81% | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 453,368 | 197,733 | 129 | % | 1,730 | (621,245 | ) | (100 | %) | |||||||
Net loss | (254,347 | ) | (332,367 | ) | (24 | %) | (1,722,483 | ) | (2,088,190 | ) | (18 | %) | ||||
Loss per share | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | (0.00 | ) | (0.00 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 69,399,861 | 69,200,125 | 69,399,861 | 69,200,125 |
(1)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure as described in the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of this News Release. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended
Financial Position as at: | % | |||||
2021 | 2020 | Change | ||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 8,937,055 | $ | 8,601,140 | 4 | % |
Total assets | $ | 26,647,173 | $ | 27,982,579 | (5 | %) |
Total liabilities | 2,724,360 | 2,624,128 | 4 | % | ||
Total equity | 23,922,813 | 25,358,451 | (5 | %) |
Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis
This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed interim financial statements and related notes, and management’s discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
In addition to results reported in accordance with IFRS, the Company discloses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental indicator of its financial performance.
The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding the impact of interest and financing costs (net of interest income), foreign exchange gain (loss), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, tenant income, steam (income) expense and transaction costs. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure as it provides information to management about the operating and financial performance of the Company and its ability to generate operating cash flow to fund future working capital needs, as well as future growth. Adjusted EBITDA may also be used by investors and analysts for the purpose of valuing the Company.
Readers are cautioned that these non-IFRS definitions are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, and should not be construed to be alternatives to net earnings determined in accordance with IFRS or as indicators of performance, liquidity or cash flows. The Company’s method of calculating these measures may differ from methods used by other entities and accordingly Nanotech’s measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities or in other jurisdictions. The Company uses these measures because it believes they provide useful information to both management and investors with respect to the operating and financial performance of the Company.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (254,347 | ) | $ | (332,367 | ) | $ | (1,722,483 | ) | $ | (2,088,190 | ) |
Finance (income) expense | 3,610 | (18,854 | ) | 3,812 | (80,460 | ) | ||||||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | 30,436 | 45,243 | 114,095 | (24,216 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 379,783 | 400,354 | 1,133,239 | 1,207,195 | ||||||||
Transaction costs | 197,351 | - | 197,351 | - | ||||||||
Share-based compensation | 107,664 | 103,357 | 286,845 | 346,457 | ||||||||
Tenant income | (11,129 | ) | - | (11,129 | ) | (56,276 | ) | |||||
Steam expense | - | - | - | 74,245 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 453,368 | $ | 197,733 | $ | 1,730 | $ | (621,245 | ) |
Condensed Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Three and nine months ended | ||||||||||||
(In Canadian dollars) | ||||||||||||
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Revenue | $ | 2,605,022 | $ | 1,946,620 | $ | 6,115,154 | $ | 4,801,062 | ||||
Cost of sales | 632,737 | 336,822 | 1,477,290 | 894,041 | ||||||||
1,972,285 | 1,609,798 | 4,637,864 | 3,907,021 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 556,021 | 438,201 | 1,766,367 | 1,396,229 | ||||||||
General and administration | 543,317 | 556,619 | 1,671,881 | 1,753,989 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing | 542,503 | 532,018 | 1,515,870 | 1,769,761 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 364,523 | 388,938 | 1,102,100 | 1,161,939 | ||||||||
Transaction costs | 197,351 | - | 197,351 | - | ||||||||
2,203,715 | 1,915,776 | 6,253,569 | 6,081,918 | |||||||||
Loss from operations before other (income) expenses | (231,430 | ) | (305,978 | ) | (1,615,705 | ) | (2,174,897 | ) | ||||
Other (income) expenses | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | 30,436 | 45,243 | 114,095 | (24,216 | ) | |||||||
Finance (income) expense | 3,610 | (18,854 | ) | 3,812 | (80,460 | ) | ||||||
Tenant income | (11,129 | ) | - | (11,129 | ) | (56,276 | ) | |||||
Steam expense | - | - | - | 74,245 | ||||||||
22,917 | 26,389 | 106,778 | (86,707 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss and total comprehensive loss | $ | (254,347 | ) | $ | (332,367 | ) | $ | (1,722,483 | ) | $ | (2,088,190 | ) |
Basic and diluted loss per share: | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) |
Weighted average number of common shares | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 69,399,861 | 69,200,125 | 69,399,861 | 69,200,125 | ||||||||
Condensed Interim Statements of Financial Position | ||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
(In Canadian dollars) | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,055,919 | $ | 1,751,855 | ||
Short-term investments | 6,881,136 | 6,849,285 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 737,966 | 1,505,391 | ||||
Inventory | 301,247 | 210,715 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 225,399 | 324,974 | ||||
Asset held for sale | 125,000 | - | ||||
10,326,667 | 10,642,220 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment | 14,117,014 | 15,089,496 | ||||
Intangible assets | 93,750 | - | ||||
1,388,458 | 1,388,458 | |||||
Right-of-use asset | 721,284 | 862,405 | ||||
$ | 26,647,173 | $ | 27,982,579 | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,502,406 | $ | 1,630,754 | ||
Deposits | 36,401 | 56,069 | ||||
Deferred revenue | 375,516 | - | ||||
Current portion of lease liability | 183,706 | 173,558 | ||||
2,098,029 | 1,860,381 | |||||
Non-current liabilities: | ||||||
Lease liability | 626,331 | 763,747 | ||||
2,724,360 | 2,624,128 | |||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||
Share capital | 62,499,841 | 62,499,841 | ||||
Contributed surplus | 3,695,498 | 3,408,653 | ||||
Deficit | (42,272,526 | ) | (40,550,043 | ) | ||
23,922,813 | 25,358,451 | |||||
$ | 26,647,173 | $ | 27,982,579 |
Condensed Interim Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three and nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
(In Canadian dollars) | |||||||||||||||
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in): | |||||||||||||||
Operating activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (254,347 | ) | $ | (332,367 | ) | $ | (1,722,483 | ) | $ | (2,088,190 | ) | |||
Items not involving cash | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 379,783 | 400,354 | 1,133,239 | 1,207,195 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation | 107,664 | 103,357 | 286,845 | 346,457 | |||||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) | (4,218 | ) | 49,524 | (35,277 | ) | 13,555 | |||||||||
Finance (income) expense | 3,610 | (18,854 | ) | 3,812 | (80,460 | ) | |||||||||
Other | (2,409 | ) | (3,132 | ) | (7,772 | ) | (9,233 | ) | |||||||
Non-cash working capital changes | 742,290 | (324,412 | ) | 1,178,299 | (164,521 | ) | |||||||||
Interest paid on lease liability | (9,395 | ) | (11,278 | ) | (29,668 | ) | (34,000 | ) | |||||||
Interest received | 7,998 | 34,862 | 57,952 | 120,720 | |||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 970,976 | (101,946 | ) | 864,947 | (688,477 | ) | |||||||||
Investing activities: | |||||||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (90,692 | ) | (304,652 | ) | (325,554 | ) | (769,071 | ) | |||||||
Purchase of intangible asset | - | - | (85,000 | ) | - | ||||||||||
Net acquisition of short-term investments | (7,723 | ) | (33,301 | ) | (56,175 | ) | (103,951 | ) | |||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (98,415 | ) | (337,953 | ) | (466,729 | ) | (873,022 | ) | |||||||
Financing activities: | |||||||||||||||
Repayment of lease liability | (39,843 | ) | (34,420 | ) | (127,268 | ) | (103,259 | ) | |||||||
Cash used in financing activities | (39,843 | ) | (34,420 | ) | (127,268 | ) | (103,259 | ) | |||||||
Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents | 2,955 | (61,734 | ) | 33,114 | (17,886 | ) | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 835,673 | (536,053 | ) | 304,064 | (1,682,644 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 1,220,246 | 1,605,411 | 1,751,855 | 2,752,002 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 2,055,919 | $ | 1,069,358 | $ | 2,055,919 | $ | 1,069,358 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The discussion and analysis in this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in the Transaction, the Company’s operations in future periods, the adequacy of Nanotech’s financial resources, and events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “prospects”, “efforts”, “intends”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, “targeted”, “plans”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements concern the business and anticipated financial performance of the Company (including, without limitation, the Company’s growth outlook) and the Transaction (including, without limitation, in respect of the Court approvals to be obtained in connection therewith, the approval of the Transaction by Company securityholders and the expected timing of closing of the Transaction).
These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about the Company’s revenue growth, prospects for advancing the development contract, expansion of manufacturing capabilities, development of a visual security feature, customer confidence, finalization of a second phase, multi-year development contract, investment in additional development staff, product trials and certifications, additional product launches, applications of nanostructures beyond the Company’s initial key markets, expansion of the Company’s network of channel partners and, in respect of the Transaction, the Company’s ability to meet all condition precedents set forth in the Arrangement Agreement (including that there be no material adverse effect on the Company before closing of the Transaction) prior to the outside date set forth therein, the Company’s ability to secure the required Court approvals in connection with the Transaction and the approval of the Transaction by Company securityholders.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to the completion of the Transaction, including the failure to obtain securityholder or Court approvals in connection with the Transaction; uncertainties relating to the loss of a key customer, that the Company’s products receive market acceptance, and that its intellectual property claims will be sufficiently broad or enforceable to provide the necessary protection or attract the necessary capital, as well as risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in the discussion and analysis of the financial conditions and results of operations, or the documents incorporated by reference, are qualified by this cautionary statement and there can be no certainty that actual results or developments the Company anticipates will be realized.
For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors reference should be made to the “Business Risks and Uncertainties” section of the management’s discussion and analysis and the notes to the audited financial statements for the year ended
About Nanotech
With billions of security features in circulation, Nanotech’s products include secure and memorable security labels, stripes, patches, and colour-shifting foils for currency authentication and brand protection.
KolourOptik® is a patented visual technology that is exclusive to the government and banknote market and combines sub-wavelength nanostructures and microstructures to create modern overt security features with a unique and customizable optical effect. KolourOptik pure plasmonic colour pixels produce full colour, 3D depth, and movement used in security stripes and threads that are nearly impossible to replicate.
LiveOptik™ is a patented visual technology that utilizes innovative nano-optics one tenth the size of traditional holographic structures to create next generation overt security features customized to our customers’ unique requirements. LiveOptik delivers multi-colour, 3D depth, movement, and image switches for secure brand protection stripes, threads, and labels that are nearly impossible to replicate.
Additional information about Nanotech can be found at the Company’s website www.nanosecurity.ca, the Canadian disclosure filings website www.sedar.com or the OTCMarkets disclosure filings website www.otcmarkets.com.
About
META® delivers previously unachievable performance, across a range of applications, by inventing, designing, developing, and manufacturing sustainable, highly functional materials. Its extensive technology platform enables leading global brands to deliver breakthrough products to their customers in consumer electronics, 5G communications, health and wellness, aerospace, automotive, and clean energy. Meta’s achievements have been widely recognized, including being named a Global Cleantech 100 company. Learn more at www.metamaterial.com.
US Investor Relations: | Canada Investor Relations: | ||
info@nanosecurity.ca | mselinger@firmirgroup.com | sean@SophicCapital.com | |
+1.604.678.5775 | +1.415.572.8152 | +1.647.699.9845 |
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