A Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) logo is seen in Toronto in this file photo.© Mark Blinch / Reuters
Vitamin maker Jamieson Wellness Inc. is seeking to raise $300-million this summer by selling shares to the public on the Toronto Stock Exchange, joining a handful of Canadian consumer companies that have debuted this year after a dry 2016.
Jamieson, which was founded in 1922, is marketing its stock between $14 and $16 a share, according to an amended prospectus filed on Tuesday. It did not specify how many common shares it intends to sell.
In this offering, the Toronto-based company is looking to issue stock, while private-equity backer CCMP Capital Advisors LP and several Jamieson executives will sell shares in a secondary offering. Jamieson said it plans to use its proceeds to reduce its debt load, pay about $10-million in dividends to its preferred shareholders and return $65-million to these investors.
Jamieson is the top brand in Canada's $1.2-billion (U.S.) vitamin, supplement and mineral market, the company said in its filing. In 2016, it said it generated revenue of $248-million (Canadian), but posted a loss of $25-million.
Although Canada is its main sales region, the company currently sells Jamieson-branded products through distribution agreements in 40 markets outside North America. To expand its sales to a stated target between $390-million and $410-million by 2021, Jamieson aims to bring more products to market and expand its presence in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The stock offering is being led by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc., the lead lenders in Jamieson's credit syndicate.