Namaste Announces Intention to Commence a Normal Course Issuer Bid to Repurchase Up to 10% of its Public Float and Provides a Corporate Update Including Incoming CFO, New Board Director and Consultants
VANCOUVER, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ – Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste” or the “Company”) (TSXV: N)(FRA: M5BQ)(OTCMKTS: NXTTF) is pleased to announce that, subject to regulatory approval, it intends to commence a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”). The Company intends to purchase up to 25,308,136 common shares, representing approximately 8.9% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares and 10% of the Company’s “public float” (as such term is defined in the TSX-V Corporation Finance Manual).
The Company is in the process of appointing Canaccord Genuity Inc. as its broker to conduct the NCIB on its behalf. The NCIB will commence three business days following the TSX-V’s acceptance of the Company’s Notice of Intention to commence the NCIB.
All purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX-V at market prices and otherwise in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX-V. All common shares acquired by the Company under the NCIB are being purchased for cancellation.
Namaste’s board of directors believes that, from time to time, the market price of the common shares does not adequately reflect the Company’s underlying value and future prospects and that, at such times, the purchase of the common shares represents an appropriate use of the Company’s financial resources and will enhance shareholder value.
In addition to the NCIB, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth Ngo as the Company’s CFO and the appointment of Fern Glowinsky, president of Merrco Payments Inc. (“Merrco”) to the Company’s board of directors. Namaste has also engaged advisory consultants including Tim Henley and Dr. Paul Neider (DVM) who are focused on launching CBD production for both human and pet consumption in Namaste’s international markets. Additionally, the Company’s board of directors has approved new stock options grants in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan.
CFO Appointment
The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth Ngo as Namaste’s CFO. Kenneth Ngo joined Namaste Technologies Inc. as a corporate controller in April 2018. He has more than 20 years of experience in finance and has held positions of increasing responsibility in a number of US and Canadian publicly traded companies. He received his Chartered Accountant designation while working for Deloitte LLP. Mr. Ngo is a graduate of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and a U.S. Certified Public Accountant in the state of Colorado.
Mr. Ngo, Namaste CFO comments: “I’m thrilled to being part of an exciting journey. Namaste is a true visionary of technology platforms that is well positioned for significant growth.”
Subsequently, Mr. Philip Van der Berg has submitted his resignation as Namaste CFO and the Company would like to take the opportunity to thank him for his service and wish him best of luck on his future endeavors.
Board Appointment
The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Fern Glowinsky, CEO of Merrco to its board of directors. Namaste has been a client of Merrco for several years and is proud to have their CEO join the board. Fern Glowinsky joined Merrco in March 2018 following its acquisition of Payfirma Corporation. Merrco and Payfirma are committed to helping established and emerging businesses thrive through access to payments technology. Ms. Glowinsky has extensive payments sector experience, spending 15 years as a senior executive at Moneris, most recently as COO with accountability for enterprise operations, passionately focused on transforming customer experience. In 2016 Ms. Glowinsky joined Cliffside Capital as CEO and Director, managing its investments in the alternative lending sector. Ms. Glowinsky is a graduate of the joint MBA/JD program at Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School and holds the ICD.D designation.
Fern Glowinsky, comments: “With Merrco’s dedication to enabling payments in the cannabis sector, I’m extremely excited to be joining Namaste’s board and partnering with Sean, his team and the rest of the board as Namaste continues its mission of innovating cannabis technology solutions globally, while delivering a better user experience.”
Advisory Consultants
Subject to TSX-V approval, Namaste is planning on launching the sale of CBD products in international markets, particularly in the under-serviced markets in the UK and EU and has been working hard to develop new sales channels. As such, Namaste has engaged two consultants, Tim Henley and Dr. Paul Neider who provide valuable resources that will have a direct impact on the success of such endeavors. These two appointments will help Namaste in launching CBD products for both human consumption and for animal applications, as Dr. Neider is a doctor of veterinary medicine and supporter of CBD use to support the well-being of pets and animals.
Tim Henley has spent the last 3 years researching and studying the Cannabinoid space and trends. His research in CBD (Cannabidiol) lead him to become a Director of the UK’s Cannabis Trades Association. Tim was instrumental in helping organize the early days of the association and its membership. He subsequently stood down to pursue a more radical approach to economic development and cannabis reform. Tim has been actively engaged in working with Namaste to assess the regulatory requirements for the sale of CBD products in the UK and has provided advisory services to both Namaste and its partners in the context of packaging and marketing of CBD products. Tim’s role with Namaste outside of his consultancy will be procuring the highest quality CBD products for the Company’s e-commerce marketplace.
Tim Henley, Namaste’s New Products Manager comments: “I came across Namaste when developing my business. I wanted to sell vaporizers and found Namaste to be a really easy modern company to deal with and set up my own company, Cannablyss Ltd. I would often talk to Kory Zelickson, co-founder, as I placed my wholesale orders. I am an evangelist for 21st Century Cannabis and its potential to help humanity fix so many of the ills of modern society. Be it the revolution in our understanding of the Endocannabinoid system and how this affects our bodies in so many ways. We need to nourish our minds and bodies with Phyto cannabinoids not pharmaceuticals. The changes I have seen in the industry are nothing compared to what is coming. Namaste is helping to create the future and it’s the most exciting and dynamic company I have ever worked for. Namaste is going to change the world building a sustainable future!!”
Paul Neider is an accomplished veterinarian and serial entrepreneur. Being the founder of three veterinary hospitals, three other companies, shows Paul’s creativity and ability to diversify into various fields. He is passionate about helping animals (humans too) which carries through to his activities with Namaste. He will work at a task until perfection and never stops learning. Dedicated, enthusiastic and fun to be around, living with four dogs reminds him to just chase a ball once in a while!
Paul Neider, DVM comments: “The team at Namaste is one of the most innovative and passionate group of entrepreneurs I’ve met in a long time. By joining them I will help expand the company into the very large veterinary/pets market.”
Stock Option Grant
Subject to the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plan, Namaste’s board of directors has approved the issuance of 2,515,000 options to a number of employees and consultants of the Company. All options are exercisable at a price of $1.32 per common shares for a period of five years. The options will vest in quarterly instalments over a two-year period.
Management Commentary
We’re very pleased to announce strengthen Namaste’s corporate governance team by announcing the appointment of Kenneth Ngo as our new CFO and Fern Glowinsky to our board of directors. Both Kenneth and Fern will provide great value to the company in their respective roles.
Sean Dollinger, President and CEO of Namaste
We believe that Namaste is remains in the infancy stage of our development as a technological leader in the global cannabis industry and as such are pleased to announce our intentions to commence a NCIB to buy back and cancel up 10% of the Company’s “public float”.
“Furthermore, we’re very pleased to bring on Tim Henley and Paul Neider to lead the launch of high-quality CBD products in our platform for both human and animal use. CBD products have been proven effective in treating many conditions and in improving overall health and well-being. We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and to welcome new members to the team. We are very excited about the future of the Company and look forward to many milestones to come. Namaste is constantly evolving and adapting to the changing landscape of this exciting industry that we are very proud to be a part of.”
About Namaste Technologies Inc.
Namaste Technologies is a global leader in the sale of medical cannabis consumption devices. Namaste has nine offices with multiple distribution centers around the globe and operates over 30 websites under various brands. Namaste has developed innovative technology platforms including NamasteMD.com, Canada’s first ACMPR compliant telemedicine application. The company is focused on patient acquisition through NamasteMD and intends on building Canada’s largest database of medical cannabis patients. The company’s subsidiary, CannMart Inc. is an ACMPR Licensed Producer pending receipt of a “sales-only” license, whereby the company will offer a large variety of medical cannabis sourced from domestic and international producers. Namaste will continue to develop and acquire innovative technologies which will provide value to the Company and to its shareholders as well as to the broader cannabis market.
