MALVERN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Saint-Gobain announces today that it has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which the Group will acquire Kaycan, Ltd., a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of exterior building materials in Canada and in the United States, for US$928 million (approximately €860 million) in cash.

With this acquisition, Saint-Gobain reinforces its worldwide leadership in light and sustainable construction by becoming the top siding player in Canada and enlarging its vinyl offer across the United States with complementary solutions including notably aluminum and engineered wood.

The price represents a multiple (before synergies) of approximately 11.2x Kaycan’s 2021-2022E¹ EBITDA of US$83 million and a net acquisition price of approximately US$820 million, i.e. a multiple of approximately 8.0x EBITDA post run-rate synergies of US$30 million and after the planned divestiture of the small United States distribution arm of Kaycan (that accounts for c.US$70 million in stand-alone resell of Kaycan products to third parties and c.US$10 million in EBITDA, assumed to be sold at a similar pre-synergy multiple to a third party shortly after the finalization of the transaction), while keeping the locally well-established Canadian distribution.

This acquisition meets the Group’s strategic and financial criteria articulated during the Capital Markets Day of October 6, 2021:

1. Strengthening the Group’s leadership in North America as well as enriching our offering in light and sustainable construction
2. Value creation by year 3 following the closing of the transaction
3. Maintaining a strong balance sheet and solid credit rating with a limited impact of +0.1x net debt to EBITDA with leverage staying within the target set (1.5 to 2.0x)

Closing of the transaction is subject to antitrust approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions; it is expected to close by year-end 2022.

STRATEGIC BENEFITS

Kaycan is a leading exterior building materials player with US$472 million in revenues – more than half in Canada and the remainder in the United States, 12 manufacturing plants (of which 9 in Canada) and employing around 1,300 people. It is the leading manufacturer of siding products in Canada which it sells thanks to its well-known and trusted brand via its dedicated distribution and strong channel coverage in big box retail, providing unparalleled customer reach across the country and with recycling services of post-consumption materials which can in turn be incorporated into the production process. Leveraging the highly efficient country organization of Saint-Gobain, this acquisition will complement the Group’s leadership in Canada (where Saint-Gobain achieved 2021 sales of around CAD$750 million across gypsum, insulation, ceilings and roofing) allowing it to broaden the light and sustainable construction solutions offered for the benefit of its Canadian customers. It will also allow Saint-Gobain to strengthen and expand its channel coverage and partnerships to reach new customers in the light commercial market.

The acquisition also enables Saint-Gobain to reinforce its activities in siding in the United States and will allow the Group to broaden its offer towards the growing markets of aluminum and engineered wood siding solutions, manufactured using a high degree of recycled materials.

VALUE CREATION & SYNERGIES

A value-creative transaction for Saint-Gobain’s shareholders with significant synergies. This acquisition will create value by year 3 following closing of the transaction. Saint-Gobain will finance the acquisition through cash on its balance sheet. Significant synergy opportunities are estimated at c. US$30 million by year 3 following the closing of the operation, including cost synergies of c. US$23 million which are expected to be captured through the reduction of SG&A, economies of scale in procurement, and manufacturing and logistics cost optimization.

Benoit Bazin, Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain, commented:

“The acquisition of Kaycan is an excellent step for Saint-Gobain and I am very enthusiastic to warmly welcome the Kaycan teams into the Group. Not only does this acquisition allow us to strengthen our presence in siding both in Canada and in the United States, but it also allows us to broaden our offering into the exciting growth areas of aluminum and engineered wood siding, largely made with recycled materials and thus helping to drive the circular economy ecosystem in construction. It is perfectly aligned with the “Grow & Impact” strategy announced at our Capital Markets Day and reinforces our position in North America and as the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction. It will create significant value for shareholders, enhance the profitable growth outlook of the Group, enrich our solutions for customers and provide attractive development opportunities for the Kaycan and Saint-Gobain teams.”

Lionel Dubrofsky, President of Kaycan, commented:

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter of Kaycan’s history. Ever since my family founded Kaycan in 1974, our team has been laser-focused on providing the best customer service possible throughout Canada and the United States, all while pushing the boundaries of imagination and innovation to expand our product portfolio over the past decades. Now we have the opportunity to join Saint-Gobain, a renowned leader in light and sustainable construction. We are filled with gratitude for our team’s hard work over the past 48 years, and we’re thrilled to see what comes next for our combined companies.”

The planned acquisition of Kaycan follows several other North American growth investments announced by Saint-Gobain in recent months:

• In May, Saint-Gobain announced a $100 Million expansion of its CertainTeed roofing facility in Peachtree City, Georgia, more than doubling the site’s production capacity while also reducing its carbon dioxide emissions.
• Also in May, the company announced a $28 Million investment in its ADFORS technical textile products facility in Dublin, Georgia, creating 400 jobs over the next two years.
• In April, Saint-Gobain announced it was doubling the manufacturing footprint of its CertainTeed Architectural manufacturing site in Lakewood, Ohio by moving to a new, state-of-the-art location in nearby Strongsville, Ohio.
• Also in April, Saint-Gobain announced a $118 Million expansion of its CertainTeed roofing plant in Oxford, North Carolina, adding an additional 225,000 square feet of manufacturing space to what was already one of the largest roofing shingle manufacturing sites in North America.
• In February, the company invested $32 Million in its CertainTeed insulation manufacturing site in Chowchilla, California, increasing the location’s production capacity by 13% while also reducing its carbon footprint.
• In December, Saint-Gobain announced its intent to purchase construction chemicals manufacturer GCP Applied Technologies for $2.3 Billion.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has helped shape the building products industry for more than 115 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm’s slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed,” inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, solar, fence, railing, trim, insulation, drywall and ceilings. www.certainteed.com.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME.”

€44.2 billion in sales in 2021

166,000 employees, located in 75 countries

Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more details on Saint-Gobain, visit http://www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain.

¹ 2021-2022E = fiscal year starting August 1, 2021 and ending July 31^st, 2022

Contacts

David Rosen

Saint-Gobain Corporate Communications

Media@saint-gobain.com

Nobul recognized for the world’s only open digital consumer-centric marketplace connecting home buyers and sellers to the best real estate agent for them

HOUSTON & TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Nobul–Nobul Technologies (www.nobul.com), a consumer-centric real estate technology company connecting home buyers and sellers to the right real estate agents that meet their needs, is proud to announce today that it has been named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Mobile Web & App – Real Estate category in The 20th Annual American Business Awards®. The American Business Awards are the United States’ premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the US are eligible to submit nominations. Nobul was honored for its Open Digital Real Estate Marketplace, where buyers and sellers review criteria and data that help them choose the right real estate agent for them, while agents compete for their business in real time. To date, Nobul has achieved billions of dollars in sales across more than 100 markets throughout North America, including Canada, Florida, Georgia and Texas.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the ABA,” said Regan McGee, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Nobul. “It’s further validation that our marketplace is both revolutionary and evolutionary. Consumers have grown accustomed to online marketplaces, price and product comparison tools, and professional and consumer reviews to make purchases. Nobul is the next logical step in this evolution when it comes to real estate.”

Nobul saves home buyers and sellers the hassle of trying to find a real estate agent by providing easy access to verified reviews, track records, transaction history, services offered, and commission rate comparisons, which allows consumers to choose the agent that best fits their needs. The platform also provides prospective buyers with curated property listings.

“We congratulate Nobul on being named a Gold Stevie Award winner,” said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards. “The Open Digital Real Estate Marketplace addresses a critical need in the real estate space and is an interesting concept that will empower buyers and sellers and increase healthy competition and transparency among agents.”

ABOUT NOBUL

Nobul Technologies (www.nobul.com) is the world’s only open digital consumer-centric marketplace connecting home buyers and sellers to the best real estate agent for them. Nobul’s platform enables buyers and sellers to easily access real estate agents’ transaction histories, pricing, services offered, and genuine reviews from people who have actually used them. The platform brings transparency, choice, accountability and simplicity to the real estate industry through powerful innovative technology supported by real people who truly care. To date, Nobul has achieved billions of dollars in sales across more than 100 markets throughout North America, including Canada, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. The company has won many prestigious awards including the CNBC Upstart 100 Award and has crossed over $5,000,000,000 (five billion dollars) in completed sales, since its inception. For more information on Nobul, visit www.nobul.com.

Contacts

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group

nicole@nrprgroup.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kontrol Technologies Corp. (NEO:KNR) (OTCQB:KNRLF) (FSE:1K8) (“Kontrol” or the “Company“) a leader in smart buildings and cities through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology, is pleased to announce that it has been selected by a leading Canadian University, (the “University”) following a competitive process, to provide detailed energy assessments and a carbon reduction roadmap with completion in June, 2022. The University Campus market is new vertical opportunity for the Company as it seeks to expand its energy management and carbon reduction solutions.

“Universities across North America are leading the movement to greater sustainability and net zero emissions,” says Paul Ghezzi, CEO of Kontrol Technologies. “We are pleased to be able to add a new customer and a new market vertical to our expanding platform.”

The University has set a sustainability goal of Net Zero by 2040. In addition to providing energy assessments over 32 buildings and 2.5 million square feet of real estate, across the University campus, Kontrol will provide real-time monitoring under its SmartSite platform in various buildings.

About Kontrol SmartSite

Kontrol SmartSite (“SmartSite”) is a unified technology interface which can communicate with legacy building automation systems. Through a proprietary gateway, SmartSite collects data from existing sensors and equipment, monitors performance and provides real-time adjustments to operate a more efficient building. SmartSite operates as a Cloud based technology and can be integrated with existing building legacy systems. For non-disclosure purposes the name and location of the University remains confidential.

About Kontrol Technologies Corp.

Kontrol Technologies Corp., a Canadian public company, is a leader in smart buildings and cities through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology. Kontrol provides solutions and services to its customers to improve energy management, monitor continuous emissions and accelerate the sustainability of all buildings.

Additional information about Kontrol Technologies Corp. can be found on its website at www.kontrolcorp.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “potential,” “proposed,” “estimate,” “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press releases includes, but is not limited to, the following: future Carbon solutions to be offered by Kontrol for its potential customers; future goal of monetizing carbon credits; the anticipated timing of the installation of and energy savings that SmartSite will provide for the University customer; the future success of any of Kontrol’s products; and customer demand relating to energy management.

Where Kontrol expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company; that future Carbon solutions can be conducted as planned; that technology will be as effective as anticipated; that existing relationships and contracts entered into by the Company will continue on the same or similar terms, or at all; that the anticipated timing of the installation of and energy saving relating to the SmartSite will go as planned for the University customer; and that demand will continue for energy management products and for the Company’s products in particular.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, that sufficient capital and financing cannot be obtained on reasonable terms, or at all; that the Company’s technologies will not prove as effective as expected; that customers and potential customers will not be as accepting of the Company’s product and service offerings as expected and/or that demand for such products and services will not continue; that Kontrol SmartSite will not be replicated in the future and that the Company will not maintain its existing relationships or contracts on the same terms or at all.

Contacts

Kontrol Technologies Corp.
Paul Ghezzi

CEO

info@kontrolcorp.com
Tel: (905) 766.0400

CALGARY, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zenbase, a leader in flexible rent payments, today announced that it has secured $4.1 million in seed funding led by Global Founders Capital. With this seed round, Zenbase will expand beyond Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan into Ontario, British Columbia and the Maritimes.

Zenbase enables the most flexible rent payments ever and delivers rent day bliss on the first of the month by allowing residents to split their monthly rent payments. They can pay on a personalized rent payment schedule reducing their financial stress and improving resident satisfaction. Zenbase partners with property management companies to increase on-time rent collections and eliminate operational overhead.

Global Founders Capital (GNC) led the funding with other investors contributing, including Garage Capital and N49P.

Since Zenbase launched, it has saved more than $700 at an annualized rate per resident by having them avoid overdraft and late fees. In addition to the rent product, more than 40% of Zenbase members have also used its fee-free cash advance service to cover utilities, groceries and gas.

Koray Can Oztekin, CEO and Founder of Zenbase, said: “It’s expensive to be poor with late rent payments costing a resident as high as $150 each time. We are leveling the playing field by giving Canadians the flexibility that they need without getting penalized. We pay a resident’s rent in full on the first of the month, eliminating late rent payments for property managers. The resident then has 30 days to complete their rent payments with us and can align them with their paydays if they like. It’s a win:win for the residents and property managers.”

Alexander Mcisaac, Partner, Global Founders Capital, said: “More than 50% of Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck and housing stability is crucial for them to achieve financial health. Zenbase delivers financial solutions to these communities helping tenants save money and increase financial security. Following a nationwide increase in the cost of living and rent hikes, their platform is more needed than ever.”

About Zenbase

Zenbase, a leader in flexible rent payments, is committed to economic inclusion that fosters financial empowerment for renters. Our solutions improve the financial wellness of renters while improving operational efficiency for property managers. Rent is usually due on the 1st of the month but that doesn’t align with most people’s bi-monthly pay cycle. We’ve fixed that misalignment and provide other financial tools to help level the playing field. Learn more: https://myzenbase.com/

Contacts

Zenbase Press:

Philipp Postehovsky

philipp@myzenbase.com
604-657-2775

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Westphalia Dev. Corp. (the “Corporation”) announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. The Corporation was formed in March 2012, for the development of a 310-acre Westphalia property located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States.

Development and Sales

The key development and sales activities of the Corporation in the first quarter ending March 31, 2022, were:

• The general business plan for the Westphalia development was updated to incorporate feedback from the Prince George’s County surrounding community, city and state officials as well as potential buyers.

• Major infrastructure development is continuing including roads, storm water and sewer utilities leading into and through the Master Plan using two tax incremental financing (“TIF”) funded projects.

• A planning effort has been initiated aimed at revising the Preliminary Plat and Conceptual Development Plan that will take place throughout the remainder of this year and into 2023, ahead of closing on pending sales transactions with the developer of the proposed last mile distribution buildings.

• The Corporation is engaged in discussions with prospective builders and developers regarding the purchase of fully engineered lots with the goal to adhere to the business plan modification. Final commitments will be deferred until the plan has been advanced through the regulatory process and is closer to approval.

• The Westphalia Town Center re-planning is in process to incorporate more residential units alongside retail space to accommodate growth in the area. A cohesive mixed-use plan for the retail core of the Master Plan is underway to complement the planned industrial space in the westernmost parcels. Engineering plans that require application submittals to regulatory and County agencies will begin in the second quarter 2022.

Financial Results

• The general business plan modification made during the first quarter 2022 included changes to defer additional land sales until after the re-planning is complete; therefore, there was no revenue recognized for the quarter.

• In January 2022, the Corporation secured a US$3.6 million operating expense loan from its lender, WWMN, LLC. After the end of the first quarter 2022, the senior loan, including the January 2022 operating expense advance, was re-negotiated with WWMN, LLC, for an aggregate loan amount of US$44.5 million with interest at 12% and a maturity date of June 30, 2023, with the option to extend an additional year.

• Operating expenses for this quarter remained consistent with Q12021.

The Corporation’s financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, are available under the Corporation’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Additional Information

The Corporation is managed by Walton Global Investments Ltd. (“Walton Global”) and the development of the project is managed by Walton Development & Management (USA), Inc., both of which are members of the Walton group of companies (“Walton”).

Walton Global is a privately-owned, leading land asset management and global real estate investment company that concentrates on the research, acquisition, administration, planning, and development of land. With more than 43 years of experience, Walton has a proven track record of administering land investment projects within the fastest growing metropolitan areas in North America. The company manages and administers US$3.6 billion in assets on behalf of its global investors located in 73 countries, builders and developers and industry partners. Walton has more than 97,000 acres of land under ownership, management and administration in the United States and Canada with business lines ranging from exit-focused pre-development land investments, land financing programs and build-to-rent. For more information visit walton.com.

This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer of securities, and is not for distribution or dissemination outside Canada. This news release contains forward looking information, and actual future results may differ from what is disclosed in this news release. Forward-looking information is based on the current expectations, estimates and projections of the Corporation at the time the statements are made. They involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which would cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Corporation’s actual results and performance in future periods to differ materially from the forward looking information contained in this news release include, among other things, the development of Westphalia Town Center, general economic and market factors, including interest rates, a decline in the real estate market, changes in government policies and regulations or in tax laws, changes in municipal planning strategies and whether certain development approvals are obtained and changes in the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate, in addition to those factors discussed or referenced in documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available online at www.sedar.com.

Except as otherwise noted, all amounts are in Canadian dollars, and are based on unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and related notes, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Contacts

MEDIA CONTACT:
LAVIDGE

Megan Wahl

480-998-2600

DL-Walton@lavidge.com