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GILLA PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE; RELEASES Q2 2017
RESULTS
NEW YORK, NY – (August 17th,
2017) - Gilla
Inc. (“Gilla” or the “Company”)
(OTCQB: GLLA), the fast-growing designer, marketer and manufacturer
of E-liquid for vaporizers and developer of cannabis concentrate
products, today provided a corporate update along with the release
of the Company’s financial results for the three months ended
June 30, 2017.
CORPORATE UPDATE
●
On July 31, 2017,
the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Vape Brands International Inc. (“VBI”), a Canada-based
E-liquid manufacturer and distributor. Through VBI, the Company
acquired a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Toronto,
Canada, six successful E-liquid brands and a growing Canadian
distribution network covering over 500 retailers. The Company has
begun its integration process and expects to realize on operational
and cost-saving synergies in the second half of fiscal 2017 while
focusing on growing Canadian revenues from the current run-rate
revenue of approximately $1.6 million per year.
●
The Company
continues to build its complementary cannabis concentrates division
and is utilizing a multi-jurisdictional licensing strategy to enter
and launch its portfolio of products in both the medical and
recreational markets. To date, the Company has entered into a
licensing agreement with a licensed producer in the State of Nevada
and has entered into a letter of intent to launch products with an
undisclosed leading licensed producer in Canada.
●
The Company has
submitted an application to list its shares of common stock on the
Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”). On June
19th,
2017 and in connection with the proposed listing, the Company also
filed a non-offering preliminary prospectus with the Ontario
Securities Commission (the “OSC”) to become a reporting
issuer in the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Company has since
received comments from the OSC and is working towards clearing such
comments with a targeted listing in the third quarter of
2017.
●
May 20th, 2017 marked the
final implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive
2014/40/EU) (“TPD”) and the end of the sell-through
period for non-compliant product across the European Union
(“EU”). Prior to the adoption date, the Company
successfully introduced and marketed TPD-compliant packaging across
the Company’s E-liquid portfolio and the EU.
Q2 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
●
For the three
months ended June 30, 2017 (“Q2 2017”), the Company
generated $1,266,026 in revenue through sales of proprietary
E-liquid and other vaping products as compared to $1,243,539 in
revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2017 (“Q1
2017”); a stable quarter-over-quarter result given the
challenges caused by a temporary slowdown in EU sales resulting
from excess, non-compliant-TPD inventory that flooded the EU market
ahead of the end of the sell-through period.
●
Revenue generated
in North America increased by 70% from Q1 2017 to Q2 2017
reflecting the Company’s recent focus in Canada and the
United States. The recent acquisition of VBI is expected to further
amplify sales in Canada for the second half of fiscal 2017 given
the acquired distribution channel and revenue pipeline. Revenue
generated in the EU decreased by 11% from Q1 2017 to Q2 2017
resulting from the effects of the TPD implementation
deadline.
●
The Company
generated gross profit margins of 61% in Q2 2017 as compared to 56%
in Q1 2017, such quarter-over-quarter increase is attributable to
the reduction of one-time costs associated with the implementation
of TPD-complaint packaging across the EU.
●
Administrative
costs, including sales and marketing expenses, increased to
$1,146,710 in Q2 2017 from $997,350 in Q1 2017, such
quarter-over-quarter increase is attributable to the
Company’s growing global business and increased costs
associated with the Company’s new cannabis concentrates
division.
●
Net loss amounted
to $2,632,969 in Q2 2017 as compared to a net loss of $898,268 in
Q1 2017. The quarter-over-quarter increase was mainly attributable
to a stock option issuance expense of $1,213,605 and an
amortization of debt discount expense of $505,998 resulting from
the conversion of convertible debentures during the quarter. Net of
these one-time expenses, the Q2 2017 net loss amounted to
$913,366.
“Gilla
has enjoyed continued success in its nicotine E-liquid business and
has successfully navigated the introduction of regulation in many
markets,” stated Mr. Graham Simmonds, Chair and CEO of Gilla.
He added, “We are also thrilled to have closed our recent
acquisition of VBI and our soon to be launched cannabis
concentrates products into the recreational cannabis market of
Nevada. Sales are expected to be generated as soon as late
August.”
About Gilla Inc.
Gilla
Inc. manufactures, markets and distributes E-liquid for use in
vaporizers and develops turn-key vapor and cannabis concentrate
solutions for high terpene vape oils, pure crystalline, high
performance vape pens and other targeted products. Gilla aims to be
a global leader in delivering the most efficient and effective
vaping solutions for nicotine and cannabis related products. The
Company’s multi-jurisdictional, broad portfolio approach
services both the nicotine and cannabis markets with high quality
products that deliver a consistent and reliable user experience.
Gilla’s proprietary product portfolio includes the following
brands: Coil Glaze™, Siren, The Drip Factory, Craft
Vapes™, Craft Clouds, Surf Sauce, Vinto Vape, VaporLiq, Vape
Warriors, Vapor’s Dozen, Miss Pennysworth’s Elixirs,
Enriched Vapor and Crown E-liquid™.
Forward-looking Statements
Note:
This press release contains “forward looking
statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on
currently available competitive, financial and economic data and
management’s views and assumptions regarding future events.
Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Gilla
Inc. cannot provide assurances that the matters described in this
press release will be successfully completed or that the company
will realize the anticipated benefits of any transaction. Actual
results may differ materially from those projected as a result of
certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to:
global economic and market conditions; the war on terrorism and the
potential for war or other hostilities in other parts of the world;
the availability of financing and lines of credit; successful
integration of acquired or merged businesses; changes in interest
rates; management’s ability to forecast revenues and control
expenses, especially on a quarterly basis; unexpected decline in
revenues without a corresponding and timely slowdown in expense
growth; the company’s ability to retain key management and
employees; intense competition and the company’s ability to
meet demand at competitive prices and to continue to introduce new
products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with
technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated
customer requirements and achieve market acceptance; relationships
with significant suppliers and customers; as well as other risks
and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from
time to time in Gilla Inc. SEC filings. Gilla Inc. undertakes no
obligation to update information contained in this release. For
further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated
with Gilla Inc.’s business, please refer to the risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in Gilla Inc.’s SEC
filings.
For
more information, please visit gilla.com, or
contact:
Mr. Graham Simmonds
Chair and CEO
T: 1
(416) 843-2881
E:
graham.simmonds@gilla.com