Molson Coors Canada (MCC), the Canadian business unit of Molson Coors Brewing, and HEXO Corp. today released a press statement saying they have closed the transaction announced on August 1, 2018, to form a joint venture to pursue opportunities to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market following legalization. (inside.beer, 2.8.2018)
The joint venture, Truss Beverages Co., will be led by former Molson Coors executive, Brett Vye, in the role of Chief Executive Officer. Vye will report to the Truss board of directors consisting of three members appointed by MCC and two members appointed by HEXO.
“With the backing of two partners with deep Canadian roots, proven success, and market-leading experience in the respective beverage and cannabis industries in Canada, Truss will hit the ground running,” said Brett Vye, Chief Executive Officer at Truss. “When consumable cannabis is legalized in Canada, Truss will be ready to make its mark as a responsible leader in providing high-quality beverages for the Canadian consumer. Why “Truss”? We are joining together the extensive experience and excellent practices of each partner to build a powerful foundation for the future.”
Vye brings a decade of experience in leading successful brand building and integration efforts, as well as executing long-term growth strategies. Vye served as the Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer for the fast-growing International division of Molson Coors from 2015 to September 2018. Previously, he served as Chief Commercial Officer of Global License and as Managing Director of IOP Sales at Molson Coors. Vye has also worked in a number of commercial roles internationally for Colgate Palmolive/Hills Pet Nutrition.
Truss is structured as a standalone company with its own board of directors and independent management team. MCC has a 57.5% controlling interest with HEXO holding the remaining 42.5%. The five-member board of directors for the joint venture will initially comprise Frederic Landtmeters, President and CEO of MCC; Paul Holden, VP of Legal and Industry Affairs of MCC; Scott Cooper, VP, Global Innovation of Molson Coors (Chairman of the Truss Board); Sebastien St-Louis, CEO and co-founder of HEXO, and Ed Chaplin, CFO of HEXO.
In connection with the closing of the transaction, HEXO has issued to MCC 11,500,000 warrants, each of which is exercisable to purchase one common share of HEXO at an exercise price of $6.00 for a period of 3 years.
About Molson Coors Canada
Molson Coors Canada is the Canadian business unit of Molson Coors Brewing Company. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, MCC is North America’s oldest brewer and Canada’s second largest brewer by volume, selling approximately one-third of the total Canadian beer market in 2017. Its portfolio consists of leading brands in all major product and price segments, including global priority brands Belgian Moon, Coors Banquet, and Coors Light, regional champion Molson Canadian, and other key owned brands, including Creemore Springs, Granville Island, Molson Dry, Molson Export, Old Style Pilsner, and Rickard’s, and strategic distribution partnerships, including those with Heineken. MCC also includes partnership arrangements related to the distribution of beer in Ontario, Brewers’ Retail Inc., and in the Western provinces, Brewers’ Distributor Ltd.
About HEXO
HEXO creates and distributes innovative, easy-to-use and easy-to-understand products to serve the Canadian cannabis market. One of the country’s lowest-cost producers, HEXO is rapidly increasing its production capacity in the lead up to the adult-use cannabis market. The Company currently operates with over 300,000 sq. ft. of production capacity with construction on another 1,000,000 sq. ft. expansion set to be complete by year-end. HEXO will serve the adult-use market under the HEXO brand, while continuing to serve its medical cannabis clients through the well-known Hydropothecary brand.
