Organto Sells Non-Strategic Guatemalan Plant and Equipment
Sale Aligns with Strategic Asset Light Organic Foods Business Model
VANCOUVER, March 27, 2019 /CNW/ - Organto Foods Inc. (TSX-V: OGO, OTC: OGOFF) ('Organto" or the "Company"). Organto today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the Company's processing plant and related assets including land, buildings and processing equipment (the "Assets") located in Patzun, Chimlatenango, Guatemala, to Organizacion de Marcadeo S.A., a company controlled by Arturo Bickford and Jorge Guzman Efrain ("Omega").
As per the terms of the agreement, which is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange, Omega will acquire the Assets in an arm's length transaction on an "as is" basis for consideration of USD $857,934, or approximately CDN $1,125,000. Consideration will be paid via the discharge of certain loans from Omega and related parties to Organto in the amount of CDN $404,095 (USD $314,647), cancellation of 5,873,257 common shares of Organto at a deemed price of CDN $0.11 per share or CDN $646,069, and the assumption of an interest-free note payable from Omega in the amount of CDN $74,836 (USD $56,628), due on the second anniversary of the closing date, and secured by a lien on the Assets.
"With the successful shift in our organic foods business to an asset light business model over the past number of months, we felt there was no longer a strategic benefit to Organto to maintain these assets. As a result, we feel it is in the Company's best interests to dispose of these assets and put them into the hands of a party that is committed to the local growing area and economy." commented Steve Bromley, Chair and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Organto Foods Inc. "The disposal of this asset is expected to improve our balance sheet and reduce ongoing operating costs as we continue to focus on our asset light organic vegetable and fruit operating platform."
Organto's organic vegetable and fruit operating platform utilizes an asset light business model, sourcing a variety of fresh value-added organic vegetable and fruit products from strategic grower partners in key sourcing regions including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Zimbabwe, for year-round distribution to fast growing consumer markets. Organto's current distribution is focused on European markets with a focus on the development of the Organto "I am Organic" brand.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Steve Bromley
Chair and Interim Chief Executive Officer
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
ABOUT ORGANTO
Organto's business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people and its shareholders. Organto is comprised of two independent business units, i) the Organto Foods Group, and ii) the Organto Global Cannabis Group. The Organto Foods Group is an integrated provider of year-round value-added branded organic vegetables and seasonal organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using an asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health conscious consumer around the globe. The Organto Global Cannabis Group is focused on the growing market for medicinal cannabis around the world, with initial efforts focussed on key regions of Latin America, utilizing low-cost natural growing operations and a diverse and exclusive IP seed library to deliver the medicinal properties consumers expect.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release may include certain forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"). In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements respecting Organto's current business model and related expertise; Organto's belief that they have successfully shifted to an asset light business model in its organic foods business; Organto's belief that the Guatemalan processing assets were no longer strategic to execution of business plans; Organto's belief that the disposal of the Guatemalan assets will improve the Company's balance sheet and reduce operating costs; management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: the ability and time frame within which Organto's business model will be implemented; cost increases; dependence on suppliers, partners and contractual counter-parties; changes in the business or prospects of Organto; unforeseen circumstances; risks associated with the organic produce business generally, including inclement weather, unfavorable growing conditions, low crop yields, variations in crop quality, spoilage, import and export laws and similar risks; transportation costs and risks; general business and economic conditions; ongoing relations with distributors, customers, employees, suppliers, consultants, contractors and partners and joint venturers; and risks associated with cannabis operations and receipt of required licenses in Colombia. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Organto undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.
SOURCE Organto Foods Inc.
Investor Relations, 604-634-0970, 1-888-818-1364, [email protected]
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