Opta Minerals Acquires Operations in Eastern Europe and Expands Credit Facilities
TORONTO, Sep 04, 2007 -- SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today announced that Opta Minerals Inc. ("Opta" or "Opta Minerals") (TSX:OPM) has acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Newco a.s. ("Newco") of Kosice, Slovakia and has also refinanced its credit facilities with a new lender.
Newco is a supplier of proprietary desulphurization and refractory products with annualized revenues of approximately US $7.4 million. All products are produced to the specific requirements of the customers that Newco services within the European steel industry. The Company operates from a production facility in Kosice, Slovakia, employs approximately 22 people and maintains a very high level of customer service.
The acquisition expands Opta's business capabilities into Europe and complements existing operations which supply a wide range of desulphurization products in both the United States and Canada from operations in Indiana and Ontario.
The purchase price was a combination of cash and one million common shares of Opta Minerals. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to both Opta and SunOpta and will reduce SunOpta's ownership position in Opta Minerals from 70.6% to 66.6%.
In a related matter, Opta Minerals has refinanced its credit facilities, adding approximately US $18 million in available financing before the acquisition of Newco. The new credit facilities include an operating line of credit in the amount of $12.5 million; a term loan facility in the amount of $12.5 million and an acquisition facility in the amount of $20.0 million.
Steve Bromley, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta, commented, "These transactions represent a significant step forward in the global expansion of Opta Minerals. The acquisition of Newco is strategically important and positions Opta Minerals on a new continent with products and services very similar to those produced and sold in North America. This financing and acquisition provide Opta with both the resources required to grow plus an excellent strategic platform for growth in Europe in both the industrial minerals and abrasives markets."
About SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta Inc. is an operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food, supplements and health and beauty markets. The Company has three business units: the SunOpta Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed through packaged products; the Opta Minerals Inc. (TSX:OPM) (66.6% owned by SunOpta), a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and the SunOpta BioProcess Inc. which engineers and markets proprietary steam explosion technology systems for the pulp, bio-fuel and food processing industries. Each of these business units has proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector.
About Opta Minerals Inc.
Opta Minerals Inc. is a vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, distributor and recycler of silica-free loose abrasives, roofing shingle granules, industrial minerals, specialty sands and related products for use primarily in the foundry, steel, marine/bridge cleaning, roofing shingle and municipal water filtration industries. With its head office in Waterdown, Ontario, the Company also has production and distribution facilities in Ontario, Quebec, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Kosice Slovakia and one of the broadest product lines in the industry.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to references to the expected terms of the proposed private placement and business strategies, competitive strengths, goals, capital expenditure plans, business and operational growth plans and references to the future growth of the business. These forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstance. However, whether actual results and developments will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to; the company's ability to negotiate successfully the specific terms of the private placement with investors, general economic, business or market risk conditions; competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations or policies of local governments, provinces and states as well as the governments of United States and Canada, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.
SOURCE: SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta Inc.
Jeremy N. Kendall, Chairman
Steve Bromley, President & CEO
Joseph Riz, Executive Vice President
John Dietrich, Vice President & CFO
Susan Wiekenkamp, Information Officer
905-455-2528, ext 103
susan.wiekenkamp@sunopta.com
www.sunopta.com
or
Lytham Partners, LLC
Joe Diaz
Robert Blum
Joe Dorame
602-889-9700
diaz@lythampartners.com