Decibel Announces $54 Million Debt Refinancing with connectFirst, Increasing its Access to Debt by $20 Million
CALGARY, AB, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. (the “Company” or “Decibel”) (TSXV: DB) (OTCQB: DBCCF), a premium cannabis producer, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amended and restated commitment letter with connectFirst Credit Union Ltd. (“connectFirst”) in respect of $54 million of debt capital (the “Committed Amount”) over an initial 5-year term. The Committed Amount is comprised of $40.5 million of term debt (the “Term Debt”), a $6.0 million authorized overdraft secured against government receivables (the “Authorized Overdraft”), and an accordion line of $7.5 million (the “Accordion Line” and collectively, the “Credit Facilities”).
The Company expects the proceeds combined with contributions from operations to provide sufficient liquidity to repay Decibel’s convertible debentures on maturity.
With this refinancing, Decibel has added financial flexibility to optimize its capital structure and is well positioned to continue to execute its aggressive growth strategy.
Stuart Boucher, Chief Financial Officer of Decibel
This transaction reflects the strong position Decibel has established in the Canadian cannabis market and the continued confidence from connectFirst and our team in the execution of the Company’s strategic plan.
Financing Highlights
- Access to $12 Million of Additional Term Debt: The Company’s existing term debt will be increased by $12 million to $40.5 million, amortized over 12-years. The $12 million term debt will be accessible on request by Decibel. The Company expects the proceeds combined with contributions from operations to provide sufficient liquidity to repay Decibel’s convertible debentures on maturity.
- Accordion for Future Growth: The Credit Facilities include a $7.5 million accordion to support future growth initiatives as Decibel continues to scale. The Accordion Line’s initial availability is subject to Decibel achieving a trailing twelve month funded debt to EBITDA ratio of less than or equal to 4.00:1, as well as its maintained compliance with its other financial covenants (as further described below).
- Attractive Interest Rate: Decibel continues to receive industry leading interest rates that reflect the strength of its business:
- Financial Covenants: The Credit Facilities will have one annually tested financial covenant, a debt to equity ratio of less than 1.00:1. Additionally, the Credit Facilities will have one quarterly tested covenant, a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.40:1, and a monthly current ratio covenant of not less than 1.25:1. Decibel’s 12-month forecast projects compliance with all financial covenants.
The Company expects to close on the Committed Amount on or before January 31, 2022, subject to compliance with financial covenants based on its 2021 draft annual financial results and satisfaction of other customary conditions precedent. Decibel expects to remain in compliance for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period, as well as the 2021 annual covenants.
Link to Decibel’s Investor Presentation
About connectFirst Credit Union
connectFirst Credit Union, one of the largest and most successful credit unions in Canada, is a full-service financial institution with over $6 billion in assets under administration. connectFirst employs 750 Albertans who provide a range of financial products and advice in more than 40 communities across central and southern Alberta. It serves over 125,000 members through a community-focused approach to banking.
About Decibel
Decibel is uncompromising in the process and craftsmanship needed to deliver the highest quality cannabis products and retail experiences. Decibel has three operating production houses along with its wholly owned retail business, Prairie Records. The Qwest Estate in Creston, BC is a licensed and operating 26,000 square foot cultivation space which produces the widely championed, rare cultivar-focused brands Qwest and Qwest Reserve, which are sold in six provinces across Canada. Thunderchild Cultivation, is a licensed and operating 80,000 square foot indoor cultivation facility in Battleford, SK. The Plant, Decibel’s extraction facility, in Calgary, AB has 15,000 square feet of Health Canada licensed extraction and product development space. This production house will fuel the growth of our brands Qwest, Qwest Reserve, Blendcraft, and General Admission, into new and innovative product formats like concentrates, vapes, edibles and beyond.
