Survey Also Highlights Agents’ Critical Role as Trusted Advisor in Real Estate Transactions

TORONTO & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX, “Real”), the fastest-growing, publicly traded real estate brokerage, today released results from its June 2024 Agent Survey. The survey indicates agents remain optimistic about the outlook for their markets over the next 12 months, despite a moderate year-over-year decline in June transaction volumes.

“June’s survey showed that our agents are optimistic about the future, despite the prevailing interest rate environment. We are hopeful that potential lower rates in the near future could help ease the affordability challenges many buyers face,” said Tamir Poleg, Chairman and CEO of Real. “At Real, we are equipping our agents with cutting-edge technology and innovative tools to ensure they can offer personalized, strategic insights that truly make a difference in the home buying and selling journey.”

“More than just market experts, our agents are trusted advisors who understand the pulse of local communities and the intricacies of the market,” remarked Sharran Srivatsaa, President of Real. “This month’s survey reaffirms the diverse expertise agents bring to their clients to successfully navigate today’s competitive real estate landscape.”

Key Findings:

• Agent Optimism Index Largely Steady, Supported By U.S.: At the end of June 2024, agents were asked, “Compared to one month ago, are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the outlook for your primary market over the next 12 months?” Among the respondents, 36% felt more optimistic and an additional 10% felt significantly more optimistic, outweighing the 15% who felt more pessimistic and 3% who felt significantly more so.

  The average response resulted in a weighted index reading of 59.1 on a 0-100 scale, with scores above 50 reflecting a net positive outlook. This compares to 59.0 in May, indicating a largely stable month-over-month outlook, driven by an improvement in the U.S. (up 1.8 points to 59.8), which offset a drop in Canada (down 16.1 points to 52.8).
  

• Market Dynamics Continue to Favor Sellers: When asked “Would you consider your primary market to be a buyer’s market, seller’s market or balanced market?”, approximately half (51%) of agents noted sellers have the upper hand. This represents a two-point increase from the previous month. Meanwhile, 30% of agents viewed their markets as balanced, with neither buyers nor sellers having a clear advantage, a slight decrease from 33% in May. Conversely, approximately 20% of agents believed buyers hold the upper hand in their markets, up from 18% in May.

• Total North American Home Sale Industry Transactions Expected to Decline Year-over-Year in June: Agents were asked, “In your primary market, how would you describe the number of transactions closed in June 2024 compared to June 2023?” The average response resulted in a weighted index reading of 47.4 on a 0-100 scale, suggesting an aggregate decline in industry transactions across North America in June 2024, compared to June 2023. June’s index reading of 47.4 compares to May’s 45.7 level, which was the lowest monthly index reading thus far in 2024.

• U.S. Agents Report a Pullback in Transactions During June, but Improvement From May: June’s U.S. index reading of 46.8 indicates fewer transactions relative to the previous year, but represents a sequential improvement from 44.8 in May.

• Canadian Agents Report Second Consecutive Month of Growth: Agents in Canada signaled modest year-over-year growth in their respective regions, with the overall Canadian weighted index reading of 52.8 in June, although this was down from 54.4 in May.

• Affordability Remains Biggest Concern: The majority of agents surveyed (60%) cited affordability/mortgage rates as the biggest challenge for prospective home buyers, up one percentage point from May and the highest reading since the survey’s launch in January. Lack of inventory was the second most cited concern, rising one point from the previous month to 26%. Economic uncertainty followed, decreasing one point to 7%, while buyer competition was the least cited challenge, decreasing two points to 4%.

• Survey Highlights Comprehensive Support and Value Agents Provide Buy-Side Clients: The survey highlights the diverse roles agents play in guiding clients throughout the home-buying journey. Agents noted their top areas of expertise lie in negotiations (76% of respondents), deep local market knowledge (75%), providing emotional support to clients (60%), assistance with paperwork and legalities (60%), and access to off-market properties (29%). As one agent noted, “while buyers are more than capable of finding a home they like, they often lack the ability to effectively navigate beyond that point in a way that both ensures a smooth transaction and mitigates their risk”.

• Clients Typically Tour 6-10 Homes Before Purchase, Reflecting Agents’ Commitment: The majority of agents (56%) reported that their buy-side clients on average view between 6-10 homes before making a purchase, with most buyers (73%) able to find and close on a home within 0-6 months. This demonstrates the dedication and commitment of agents, who often work for extended periods without pay to ensure their clients find the right property. Additionally, 8% of agents noted that their clients view more than 10 homes during their search, while 5% of agents noted clients taking on average more than a year to find and close on a home.

An infographic including key survey takeaways can be found on Real’s investor relations website or by following the link here.

About the Survey

The Real Brokerage June 2024 Agent Survey included responses from approximately 200 real estate agents across the United States and Canada and was launched in the last week of June 2024. Responses to questions regarding transaction growth and agent optimism were calibrated on a 0-100 point index scale, with readings above 50 indicating an improving trend, whereas readings below 50 indicate a declining trend. Responses are meant to capture industry-level information and are not meant to serve as an indication of Real’s company-specific growth trends. Additionally, given the smaller sample size, there can be greater variability in Canada index results on a month-to-month basis.

About Real

Real (NASDAQ: REAX) is a real estate experience company working to make life’s most complex transaction simple. The fast-growing company combines essential real estate, mortgage and closing services with powerful technology to deliver a single seamless end-to-end consumer experience, guided by trusted agents. With a presence in all 50 states throughout the U.S. and Canada, Real supports over 20,000 agents who use its digital brokerage platform and tight-knit professional community to power their own forward-thinking businesses.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as of the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limiting the foregoing, expectations regarding the residential real estate market in the U.S. and Canada.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to Real’s business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Real considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, slowdowns in real estate markets and economic and industry downturns. These factors should be carefully considered and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Real cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Real assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Contacts

Investor inquiries, please contact:

Ravi Jani

Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning & Analysis

investors@therealbrokerage.com
908.280.2515

For media inquiries, please contact:

Elisabeth Warrick

Senior Director, Marketing, Communications & Brand

press@therealbrokerage.com
201.564.4221

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of high-quality workplace real estate, announced today that it will be releasing its second quarter 2024 financial results before market hours on Friday, August 9, 2024. Senior management will host a live conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday, August 9, 2024 to discuss the results and ongoing business initiatives of the REIT.

Conference Call Details

The conference call can be accessed by dialing (289) 514-5100 or 1 (800) 717-1738. Additionally, the conference call will be available via simultaneous audio found at https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=9CEEC35C-3A76-4F0A-8C7F-8AC18EC8AF55&LangLocaleID=1033. A replay will be accessible until August 23, 2024 via the REIT’s website or by dialing (289) 819-1325 or 1 (888) 660-6264 (access code 59866#) approximately two hours after the live event.

About Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN)

Slate Office REIT is a global owner and operator of high-quality workplace real estate. The REIT owns interests in and operates a portfolio of strategic and well-located real estate assets in North America and Europe. The majority of the REIT’s portfolio is comprised of government and high-quality credit tenants. The REIT acquires quality assets at a discount to replacement cost and creates value for unitholders by applying hands-on asset management strategies to grow rental revenue, extend lease term and increase occupancy. Visit slateofficereit.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SOT-FR

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: WTS) will hold a live webcast of its conference call to discuss Second Quarter 2024 results on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will announce its financial results for this period in a press release to be issued after market close on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

This call can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.watts.com. Following the webcast, an archived version of the call will be available at the same address until August 7, 2025.

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., through its family of companies, is a global manufacturer headquartered in the USA that provides one of the broadest plumbing, heating, and water quality product lines in the world. Watts Water companies and brands offer innovative plumbing, heating, and water quality solutions to control the efficiency, safety, and quality of water within commercial, residential, and industrial applications. For more information visit www.watts.com.

Contacts

Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

Diane McClintock

Senior Vice President FP&A and Investor Relations

Telephone: 978-689-6153

Email: investorrelations@wattswater.com

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Amenities–H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $64 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that its newly established Living Platform has partnered with HUB Residential on a first project near Old Street, London.

With the London residential market experiencing acute housing shortages and affordability issues, the emerging of the Living Sector offers residents a valid alternative to traditional living options. The properties offer greater flexibility, a more efficient use of space, and enhanced amenities throughout the buildings. These amenities include co-working spaces, gyms, and cinema rooms aimed at creating a strong sense of community.

Riccardo Dallolio, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Realty in Europe, commented: “The London residential market continues to benefit from strong fundamentals and we believe the Living Sector will play a key role in centrally located neighbourhoods, such as Old Street. We believe there is an opportunity to grow this platform across a number of locations in London.”

Stelios Theodosiou, Managing Director at H.I.G. Realty, commented: “The transaction demonstrates our ability to identify secular trends and secure prime locations in the Living Sector. Sitting in the heart of London’s Technology & Innovation Belt, this seed asset provides an opportunity to establish an early presence, in partnership with high-quality partners such as HUB Residential, in a growing real estate sector.”

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $64 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Dubai, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

• H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
• H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
• H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
• H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.

*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.

Contacts

Riccardo Dallolio

Managing Director

rdallolio@hig.com

Stelios Theodosiou

Managing Director

stheodosiou@hig.com

H.I.G. Capital

10 Grosvenor Street

2^nd Floor

London W1K 4QB

United Kingdom

P +44 (0) 207 318 5700

hig.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DREAM OFFICE REIT (TSX: D.UN) (“Dream Office”) will be releasing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Senior management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants may join the conference call by audio or webcast.

Conference Call:
Date:		Monday, August 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (ET)
Audio:		1-844-763-8274 (toll free)
		647-484-8814 (toll)
Webcast:		A live webcast will also be available in listen-only mode. To access the simultaneous webcast, go to the Calendar of Events on the News and Events page on Dream Office’s website at www.dreamofficereit.ca and click on the link for the webcast.
Digital Replay:		A taped replay of the call will be available for ninety (90) days. For access details, please click on the Calendar of Events on Dream Office’s website.

About Dream Office

Dream Office REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. Dream Office REIT is a premier office landlord in downtown Toronto with over 3.5 million square feet owned and managed. We have carefully curated an investment portfolio of high-quality assets in irreplaceable locations in one of the finest office markets in the world. For more information, please visit our website at www.dreamofficereit.ca.

Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Michael J. Cooper
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(416) 365-5145

mcooper@dream.ca

Jay Jiang
Chief Financial Officer

(416) 365-6638

jjiang@dream.ca

Cargill anticipates facility to open in 2025

REGINA, Saskatchewan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cargill, a global leader in oilseed processing, today announced it has surpassed the 50 percent completion milestone in the construction of its new canola facility located at the Global Transportation Hub in West Regina, Sask. Cargill broke ground on the facility in July 2022 and anticipates opening in 2025. The new facility will have the capacity to process 1 million metric tons of canola per year, producing crude canola oil for food and biofuel markets and canola meal for animal feed.

“The addition of the Regina facility to the Cargill network will play a critical role connecting the Canadian canola industry to the expanding domestic and global market opportunities for vegetable oil, high quality meal and biofuels,” said Jeff Vassart, president of Cargill Canada. “The current construction environment is full of unique challenges and this project has faced many headwinds since we broke ground, but we are committed to becoming a best-in-class option for canola growers in the region, along with helping decarbonize the global food and fuel supply chain.”

To support rail and road infrastructure around the new plant, Cargill recently completed the purchase of just over 400 acres near the Global Transportation Hub. This will allow for better connection to existing rail lines, providing efficient access to destination markets for both meal pellets and canola oil. Additionally, this will mean the site has additional optionality to bring canola seed to Regina when needed, providing a new destination for farmers in western Canada.

Cargill offers a full suite of solutions for farmers across western Canada – from grain marketing and advisory services to crop inputs and agronomic expertise. Canadian canola growers can maximize the value of their canola through a variety of programs. Learn more at CargillAg.ca.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Contacts

Bridget Christenson

Cargill

media@cargill.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U) (TSX: SGR.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate, announced today that the Board of Trustees has declared a distribution for the month of July 2024 of U.S.$0.072 per class U unit of the REIT (“Class U Units”), or U.S.$0.864 on an annualized basis.

Holders of Class U Units may elect to receive their distribution in Canadian dollars and should contact their broker to make such an election.

Holders of class A units of the REIT (“Class A Units”) will receive a distribution equal to the Canadian dollar equivalent (based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution) of U.S.$0.072 per Class A Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in U.S. dollars. Holders of class I units of the REIT (“Class I Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per Class I Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in Canadian dollars. Holders of units of subsidiaries of the REIT that are exchangeable into Class U Units (“Exchangeable Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per unit.

If a holder of Class U Units or Class I Units elects to receive distributions in Canadian dollars, the holder will receive the Canadian dollar equivalent amount of the distribution being paid on the Class U Units or Class I Units, as applicable, based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution.

Distributions on all unit classes of the REIT, and distributions on Exchangeable Units, will be payable on August 15, 2024 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2024.

About Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U / SGR.UN)

Slate Grocery REIT is an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately U.S. $2.4 billion of critical real estate infrastructure across major U.S. metro markets that communities rely upon for their daily needs. The REIT’s resilient grocery-anchored portfolio and strong credit tenants provide unitholders with durable cash flows and the potential for capital appreciation over the longer term. Visit slategroceryreit.com to learn more about the REIT.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform focuses on four areas of real assets, including real estate equity, real estate credit, real estate securities, and infrastructure. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more, and follow Slate Asset Management on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SGR-Dist

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

– One of the largest multi purpose hall within Tokyo with direct access to the station started taking reservations from July 1^st 2024 –

• East Japan Railway Company (JR East), JR East Building Co., Ltd (JR East Building) and Congrès Inc.(Congrès) started taking reservations for this Venue. This facility is within the TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, scheduled to open in late March 2025.

  
  
  
  

• This venue has direct access to Takanawa Gateway Station, and with the LINKPILLAR Hall having the capacity of 2000 people, it allows a variety of MICE events.

• This venue will also strive to take environmentally sustainable actions. By using public spaces such as the plaza and advertising media within the city, the city itself will serve as a unique MICE venue.

*MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition/Events.

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–EAST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY:

1. About TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center

(1) Features of the Venue

1. A MICE venue with new technology
2. The LINKPILLAR Hall is equipped with high-resolution projectors supported by a range of communication infrastructures which enables seamless real-time transmission of images and audios.
3. Numerous types of spaces that will suite the participants’ needs
4. An advanced MICE hub surrounded by numerous facilities
5. An ideal location for International events

Venue Information

1. Location: THE LINKPILLAR 1 SOUTH, 1^st and 2^nd basement floor, 6^th floor

For more information, please look at the website below:

https://www.takanawagateway-cc.com/en/facility/

(2) A Citywide MICE in the Center of Tokyo

The development of this area which includes the city and the station is done by JR East. Using this strength, you can organise your MICE events outside of the facility, meaning that the city itself will become a unique MICE venue.

2. Sustainable Actions

We are dedicated to promoting sustainability and making significant environmental contributions through hosting MICE events.

(1) Environmentally Friendly Venue

This Convention Center is in THE LINKPILLAR 1, which has achieved the well renowned LEED® for Building Design and Construction: Core and Shell Development (LEED® BD+C CS) precertification (Gold).

(2) Transforming Food Waste Into Power

Leftover food will be transformed into power by using the first in-building biogas generation equipment in East Japan.

(3) Supporting to Host an Environmentally Friendly Event

This Venue will actively implement measures that contribute to sustainable MICE practices.

For more information, please look at the website below:

https://www.congre.com/sustainability/sdgs/

3. Inquires

(1) When can we start using the venue?

Rooms are available from July 1^st 2025 onwards.

*The opening date for renting each room will differ.

(2) When can we start sending booking inquiries?

1. When: July 1^st 2024 (Monday) , 2PM~
2. How: Please visit our Website
   
   https://takanawagateway-cc.com

For further enquires, please contact us below.

Contacts

Enquiries

TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center

takanawagateway-cc@jebl.co.jp
Phone +81-(0)3-3510-3734 (Weekdays 10:00-17:00)

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Acquisition–H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $64 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of Best Trash, LLC (“Best Trash” or the “Company”).

Headquartered in Richmond, TX, Best Trash is a market leading municipal solid waste platform serving the residential waste collection needs of select markets in Texas including the Greater Houston Area (“GHA”). Best Trash services utility districts, municipalities, homeowner associations, and individual residences.

Mark Moderski, Chief Executive Officer of Best Trash, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with H.I.G. and leverage their significant experience and resources as we enter this next phase of growth. Best Trash has built its brand providing exceptional service to its customers, and we look forward to continuing to serve the communities in which we operate.”

Miriam Rafiqi, Managing Director at H.I.G. Infrastructure, added, “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Mark and his outstanding management team in the Company’s next stage of growth. Best Trash provides essential and recurring services under long-term contracts and has a reputation for prioritizing reliable and consistent customer service, which will continue to drive growth in the business. We look forward to supporting management’s continued growth initiatives.”

Stifel, Nicolaus and Company, Inc. acted as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to H.I.G. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. acted as financial advisor and White & Case LLP served as legal counsel to Best Trash.

About Best Trash

Founded in 2009, Best Trash is a premier and trusted waste collection platform providing non-discretionary, best-in-class service to over 450,000 homes across more than 350 contracts. Best Trash delivers full-suite rear-load residential refuse collection.

Best Trash has a stellar reputation for quality and safety, resulting in industry leading customer retention. The Company’s long-term contracts provide significant revenue visibility, and when paired with Best Trash’s long-term disposal contracts, generate attractive, and stable margins. For more information, visit best-trash.com.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $64 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Dubai, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

• H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
• H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
• H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
• H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.

*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.

Contacts

Miriam Rafiqi

Managing Director

mrafiqi@hig.com

Paul Gurm

Principal

pgurm@hig.com

H.I.G. Capital

1271 Avenue of the Americas

22nd Floor

New York, NY 10020

P 212.506.0500

hig.com

Eligible consumers can pay in simple biweekly or monthly payments, with no hidden or late fees

BOUCHERVILLE, Québec & TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, today announced a partnership with RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating and servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores. Now, eligible shoppers can use Affirm to purchase their home improvement necessities online.

By selecting Affirm at checkout on rona.ca, approved RONA customers can split eligible purchases into biweekly or monthly payments for terms up to 12 months. Consumers are shown the total cost of their purchase and will never pay more than they agree to upfront as Affirm does not charge any late or hidden fees.

“Canadians have trusted RONA for their home improvement needs since 1939 and, throughout the years, their shopping habits have evolved. Many Canadians now prefer to use online solutions for making their purchases and we wanted to offer them the same payment flexibility we offer customers who shop our stores through other flexible payment solutions, which is exactly what Affirm allows us to do,” said Adam Powell, Chief Digital Officer of RONA inc. “We’re thrilled to offer greater choice at checkout to help our customers bring their projects to life.”

“Tackling home projects can be daunting, but using Affirm can give eligible RONA consumers the clarity and control they need to focus on completing the job at hand without the stress or hassle of hidden fees or junk charges,” said Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm. “We’re proud to work with one of the most iconic retailers in Canada to offer a flexible and transparent way to pay for those important home improvement supplies.”

RONA joins Affirm’s network of 292,000 retailers, including partnerships in Canada with Amazon, Apple, Samsung, Hudson’s Bay, Browns Shoes, CheapOair and more.

About Affirm

Affirm’s mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network — one based on trust, transparency and putting people first — we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike most credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we show consumers exactly what they will pay up front, never increase that amount, and never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X.

About RONA inc.

RONA inc. is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers and is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec. The RONA inc. network operates or services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the RONA+, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick’s Lumber banners. With a long and rich history, RONA inc. has supported Canadians in their home improvement and construction projects since 1939. To achieve this, the company relies on a team of 21,000 employees, to whom it strives to provide an inclusive workplace where everyone is invited to contribute. RONA inc. is one of the Montréal region’s Top Employers since 2021. As a result of its ongoing efforts in sustainable development, the company is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. To learn more about the company, visit the website www.ronainc.ca.

To share this news on social media, please use @RONAEN (Facebook), @RONA (LinkedIn), and @RONAinc (X, formerly Twitter).

Rates from 0-31.99% APR (subject to provincial regulations). Payment options through Affirm Canada Holdings Ltd. (“Affirm”) are subject to an eligibility check and depend on purchase amount, vary by merchant, and may not be available in all provinces/territories. A down payment (or a payment due today) may be required.

AFRM-A

Contacts

Press Contacts
RONA

media@rona.ca
514 599-5900, ext. 5271

1 866 566-3342

Affirm

Nicholas Fisher

press@affirm.com
(650) 398-2715

ST. LOUIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Core & Main Inc. (NYSE: CNM), a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of HM Pipe Products, Inc. and HM Pipe Products Kitchener Inc. (collectively, HM Pipe Products), a Canadian distributor of water and wastewater products.

“With our expansion into Canada, we will achieve a key milestone for Core & Main. The team at HM Pipe Products has extensive market knowledge, an excellent reputation in the industry and strong customer connections,” said Steve LeClair, chair and CEO of Core & Main. “We plan to utilize our collective resources and combined expertise to address Canada’s water and wastewater infrastructure needs, providing significant future growth opportunities in the multibillion-dollar Canadian market.”

Established in 2010, HM Pipe Products is a trusted provider of a broad array of products to assist contractors and municipalities in Ontario with their waterworks infrastructure projects. Their experienced team operates from two locations in London, Ontario, and Kitchener, Ontario.

“It was important for us to partner with an established industry veteran who has a similar culture and dedication to exceptional service when entering the Canadian market. We found that in HM Pipe Products,” said Jack Schaller, president of Core & Main. “I look forward to welcoming them to Core & Main and collaborating with their team as we build out our presence in Canada.”

“I am very proud of what our team has accomplished since Fraser Metcalf and I founded the company in 2010,” said HM Pipe Products President, Rick Henry. “Fraser and I are excited to enter a new chapter as part of the Core & Main family. We feel a strong alignment of purpose with their team, and this partnership paves the way for us to support the Canadian water and wastewater industry with expanded resources and unmatched excellence.”

About Core & Main

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a leading specialized distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With more than 350 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s nearly 5,500 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include information concerning Core & Main’s financial and operating outlook, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “forecasts,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “outlook,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “preliminary,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give you no assurance these expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Robyn Bradbury, 314-995-9116

InvestorRelations@CoreandMain.com

Media Relations:
Jennifer Noonan, 314-750-9670

Jennifer.Noonan@CoreandMain.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust (“Primaris” or the “Trust”) (TSX: PMZ.UN) announced today that its Board of Trustees has declared a distribution of $0.07 per unit for the month of July 2024, representing $0.84 per unit on an annualized basis. The distribution will be payable on August 15, 2024 to unitholders of record on July 31, 2024.

About Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust

Primaris is Canada’s only enclosed shopping centre focused REIT, with ownership interests primarily in leading enclosed shopping centres located in growing mid-sized markets. The portfolio totals 39 properties, or 12.5 million square feet valued at approximately $3.8 billion at Primaris’ share. Economies of scale are achieved through its fully internal, vertically integrated, full-service national management platform. Primaris is very well-capitalized and is exceptionally well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities at an extraordinary moment in the evolution of the Canadian retail property landscape.

For more information: TSX: PMZ.UN www.primarisreit.com www.sedarplus.ca

Contacts

Alex Avery

Chief Executive Officer

416-642-7837

aavery@primarisreit.com

Rags Davloor

Chief Financial Officer

416-645-3716

rdavloor@primarisreit.com

Claire Mahaney

VP, Investor Relations & ESG

647-949-3093

cmahaney@primarisreit.com

Timothy Pire

Chair of the Board

chair@primarisreit.com