Neptune Technologies successfully completes up to $8.5 million debt financing with Desjardins Group
PRNEWSWIRE
-These funds will be used to rapidly implement the first phase of theproduction capacity and productivity expansion in order to meetstrongly increasing customer demand-- No more concerns about raisingadditional capital now-- The Company has decided not to proceed withthe private placement of the previously announced convertibledebentures at present market conditions-
LAVAL, Quebec, Sept. 8/PR Newswire-FirstCall/ - Neptune Technologies & BioressourcesInc. (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB) announced today that it has entered intoa new financing arrangement with Desjardins Group, which will providethe Company with up to $8.5 million in financing. TheCompany expects the funds to used to improve productivity and increaseproduction capacity in order to meet the currently rapidly growingdemand for its products.
Of the financing, $3 million is earmarked to purchase customized equipment to optimize the extraction process and to increase productivity and production capacity with a target of reaching 120 000kg of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO(R)) production per year, doubling current capacity. Another $3.5 million of the financing will be allocated to refinance the long term debt of the Company at a lower annual interest rate of 7.71%. This refinancing of long term debt will allow the Company to save more than 2.5% of its interest charge and improve next year's cash flow. Finally, a line of credit initially of $1 million, which can be increased to $2 million, has also been established. Investissement Quebec participated in this financing by guaranteeing up to 38% of the financing, excluding the line of credit.
"Obtaining better financing conditions, particularly in the context of the current credit environment, constitutes a validation of our financial strength and of our business plan," commented Xavier Harland, Director of Finance.
"This expansion of our capacity is crucial to meeting actual and forecasted strongly increasing customer demand for our products with our plant presently running at full capacity. Now we have the financial resources to quickly implement the first phase of our capacity expansion program and the financing provides the Company with adequate financial resources to eliminate any pressure for raising additional capital such as the convertible debentures under current market conditions," stated Andre Godin, VP, Finance and Administration of Neptune.
"Since Neptune maintains its position for the minimum conversion price which is over $2, the Company has decided in agreement with its U.S. investment banker that given current market conditions, it would not be advantageous to the Company or in the best interest of our existing shareholders to proceed with the previously announced private placement of convertible debentures at this time," he added. "If funds are required for any future needs, Neptune has other options with better conditions to explore in due course, and now, with the bank financing concluded for the plant expansion, we have eliminated any previous concerns about capital needed," Mr. Godin continued.
The second phase of the capacity expansion program is expected to be realized through a partnership with a worldwide leading industrial manufacturing company conforming to nutraceutical and pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards with the mandate to offer substantially larger capacity within two years. This will allow the Company to respond to the growing demands of its dietary supplement and functional food customers as well as pharmaceutical customers and strategic partners.
About Neptune Technologies
Neptuneresearches and develops proprietary bioactive ingredients and productsfor nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications and is sponsoringclinical research to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits in variousmedical indications. The Company patents its intellectual property,protects its industrial secrets and innovations and continuouslyexpands its intellectual property portfolio. Neptune has alreadyobtained many regulatory approvals allowing commercialization of itsproducts in various geographic markets and has filed for and isexpecting additional approvals. Neptune continues to strongly supportits strategic development plan to form partnerships with world wideleaders in the nutraceutical industries. Neptune has signed agreementswith Nestle and Yoplait, worldwide leading food manufacturers, andpaved its entrance into the global functional food market.
SOURCE NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGIES & BIORESSOURCES INC.
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