Monthly Archives: May 2021

CALGARY, May 12, 2021 – In accordance with Toronto Stock Exchange requirements, Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: CRWN), a capital partner to entrepreneurs and growth businesses, announced the voting results from its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12, 2021.

A total of 5,379,902 common shares, representing approximately 59.5% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding common shares, were voted in connection with the meeting. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business put forth. The votes for the election of directors are as follows:

Crown has filed a report of voting results on all resolutions voted on at the meeting under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Crown Capital Partners (TSX:CRWN)
Founded in 2000, Crown is a leading specialty finance company that provides growth capital to a diversified group of successful mid-market companies that are seeking alternatives to banks and private equity funds. Crown provides customized solutions in the form of loans, royalties, and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution. In addition to deploying capital as a principal investor, Crown develops, manages and co-invests in alternative investment funds, including Crown Partners Fund and Crown Capital Power Fund.

For further information, please contact:

Craig Armitage
Investor Relations
craig.armitage@crowncapital.ca
(416) 347-8954

CALGARY, May 11, 2021 – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: CRWN), a capital partner to entrepreneurs and growth businesses, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Crown’s complete financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Q1 2021 Financial & Operating Highlights

• Total revenue increased to $14.0 million, compared with $6.4 million in Q1 2020, due mainly to higher network services revenue from WireIE Inc. and Galaxy Broadband Communications (“Galaxy”), which was acquired in Q3 2020, and to net gains on investments versus a net loss on investments in Q1 2020.
• Interest revenue decreased to $6.6 million, compared with $7.3 million in Q1 2020, as higher interest revenue earned by Crown Partners Fund and Crown Power Fund was offset by lower interest revenue from Crown’s on balance sheet investments (through Crown Private Credit Fund).
• Continued growth of the Network Services platform, revenue stream and operating profit. Network Services revenue increased to $6.4 million in Q1 2021 (45% of total revenue for the quarter), up from $5.7 million in Q4 2020.
• Adjusted Funds from Operations¹ increased to $4.5 million ($0.49 per basic share), compared with $4.2 million ($0.44 per basic share) in Q1 2020, due primarily to increased operating income from the Network Services segment, and to a higher level of realized gains.
• Net income improved to $1.4 million, compared with a net loss of $1.2 million in Q1 2020 and a net loss of $2.4 million in Q4 2020.
• Effective March 1, 2021, Crown acquired 100% of the common shares of PRC Stoney Creek Corp. and Penady (Stoney Creek) Ltd. (collectively “PSCC”) in exchange for non-cash consideration of $10.4 million, representing a portion of the amount owing in respect of the PenEquity Realty Corporation (“PenEquity”) loan outstanding. PSCC’s assets include entitlements to future cash flows in relation to the sale of its interest in a retail plaza plus adjacent land that is being developed by PenEquity.
• Total assets increased to $330.7 million at quarter-end, compared with $322.4 million as at December 31, 2020, due primarily to the acquisition of PSCC.
• Total equity at quarter-end increased to $82.2 million, or $9.10 per basic share, from $81.3 million, or $8.98 per share at year-end 2020, mainly reflecting the net income in Q1 2021.
• In its Distributed Power business, an additional project was completed and became operational, representing the fourth project generating lease interest revenue for Crown Power Fund. The fund has seven other projects under development, including six projects that are expected to become operational in Q2 2021.
• Consistent with its plan to reduce its capital allocation to loan-based investments, effective March 31, 2021, Crown reduced its interest in Crown Partners Fund from 38.8% to 36.5% through a sale of limited partnership units at a transaction price equal to net asset value for net proceeds of $4.4 million, which were received in April 2021 and applied as a partial repayment of the Crown Credit Facility.

“Fiscal 2021 is expected to be an important and active transition period for Crown, where we see meaningful scale increases in our Network Services and Distributed Power businesses and a substantial reduction in our lending portfolio, which will free up capital to return to shareholders and invest in new growth initiatives,” said Chris Johnson, President and CEO of Crown. “We are off to a solid start, highlighted by 11% sequential revenue growth and increased operating profitability from Network Services in the first quarter. We expect to augment organic growth with additional acquisitions in this area to add scale, new customers and capabilities, and geographic presence. Crown Power Fund is poised to see a meaningful increase in operational projects in the second quarter and we hope to build on than momentum during the year.”

“In our Alternative Lending business, we remain focused on maintaining the health of the portfolio while generating liquidity where possible as we reposition Crown’s balance sheet. Toward this end, we recently sold a small portion of our interest in Crown Partners Fund and we will continue to pursue opportunities to realize proceeds from this investment which we intend to use to support strategic growth opportunities and to rationalize our capital structure”.

Subsequent Events:

Since the end of Q1 2021:

• On April 9, 2021, Crown received approval to renew its normal course issuer bid for a 12-month period commencing on April 13, 2021 enabling Crown to repurchase up to 600,000 of its common shares, representing approximately 6.6% of its issued and outstanding shares as at March 31, 2021;
• Effective April 15, 2021, Crown acquired 100% of the common shares of PRC Barrie Corp., whose assets primarily comprise land located in Barrie, Ontario, in exchange for non-cash consideration of $2.7 million, representing a portion of the amount owing in respect of the PenEquity loan outstanding;
• Effective May 6, 2021, Crown acquired 100% of the common shares of Lumbermens Credit Group Ltd., an Ontario-based construction credit reporting company, in exchange for consideration of $1.6 million less indebtedness outstanding at the time of acquisition, comprised of $0.3 million of cash plus non-cash consideration representing a portion of the amount owing in respect of the Mill Street & Co. Inc. loan outstanding; and
• Effective May 7, 2021, Crown successfully refinanced its existing syndicated corporate credit facility by entering into a new, bilateral senior secured corporate credit facility with ATB Financial that represents a total commitment of up to $41.5 million, including a $30 million revolving credit facility with a three-year term that declines to $20 million at the end of 2021, an $8.0 million term facility that matures at the end of 2021, and a $3.5 million dedicated-purpose letter of credit facility. As a result, Crown once again satisfies the minimum excess working capital requirements under applicable securities law.

Q1 2021 Financial Results Summary

¹ Adjusted Funds from Operations is not a measure of financial performance (nor does it have a standardized meaning) under IFRS. In evaluating this measure, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating these measures might differ among companies and analysts. The Corporation has provided a reconciliation of loss before income taxes to Adjusted Funds from Operations in this news release. We believe that Adjusted Funds from Operations is a useful supplemental measure in the context of Crown’s specialty finance focus to assist investors in assessing the cash anticipated to be generated by Crown’s business, including cash received in relation to its various revenue streams, that is attributable to Shareholders. Adjusted Funds from Operations should not be considered as the sole measure of Crown’s performance and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, analysis of the Corporation’s financial statements.

Conference Call & Webcast

Crown will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its Q1 2021 financial results at 8:30 a.m. ET on May 12, 2021. The call will be hosted by Chris Johnson, President & CEO, and Michael Overvelde, CFO. To participate in the call, dial (416) 764-8659 or (888) 664-6392 using the conference ID 42757603. The webcast can be accessed at www.crowncapital.ca under Investor Relations. Listeners should access the webcast or call 10-15 minutes before the start time to ensure they are connected.

About Crown Capital Partners (TSX:CRWN)
Founded in 2000, Crown is a leading specialty finance company that provides growth capital to a diversified group of successful mid-market companies that are seeking alternatives to banks and private equity funds. Crown provides customized solutions in the form of loans, royalties, and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution. In addition to deploying capital as a principal investor, Crown develops, manages and co-invests in alternative investment funds, including Crown Partners Fund and Crown Capital Power Fund.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements, management’s beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding the alternative financial market and the general economy, transaction pipeline, Crown’s business plans and strategy, including anticipated investment dispositions and capital deployments and the timing thereof, and Crown’s future earnings. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified in the Crown’s periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. See Crown’s most recent annual information form for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting Crown. In addition, Crown’s dividend policy will be reviewed from time to time in the context of the Corporation’s earnings, financial requirements for its operations, and other relevant factors and the declaration of a dividend will always be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Corporation. Crown undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

For further information, please contact:

Craig Armitage
Investor Relations
craig.armitage@crowncapital.ca
(416) 347-8954

CALGARY, May 10, 2021 – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: CRWN), a capital partner to entrepreneurs and growth businesses, today announced that it has entered into a new senior secured corporate credit facility (“Credit Facility”) of up to $41.5 million with ATB Financial (“ATB”). This facility replaces Crown’s previous $35.0 million credit facility, which had a maturity date of May 31, 2021. Crown will use the Credit Facility to fund investments, potential acquisitions and share repurchases and for general corporate purposes.

“We’re pleased to finalize a new credit facility with ATB, a long-time financial partner to Crown,” said Chris Johnson, Crown’s President & CEO. “This new facility supports our plans to invest in expanding our Network Services and Distributed Power businesses while we continue to transition our balance sheet, in particular reducing the amount of our capital at work in the alternative lending portfolio.”

The Credit Facility includes a $30.0 million revolving credit facility with a three-year term that declines to $20.0 million at the end of 2021, an $8.0 million term facility that matures at the end of 2021, and a $3.5 million dedicated-purpose letter of credit facility. The revolving credit facility provides financing at a variable interest rate based on Prime plus 275bps to 350bps, has a customary set of covenants, and is subject to extension annually.

About Crown Capital Partners (TSX:CRWN)

Founded in 2000, Crown is a leading specialty finance company that provides growth capital to a diversified group of successful mid-market companies that are seeking alternatives to banks and private equity funds. Crown provides customized solutions in the form of loans, royalties, and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution. In addition to deploying capital as a principal investor, Crown develops, manages and co- invests in alternative investment funds, including Crown Partners Fund and Crown Capital Power Fund.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements, management’s beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding the continued execution of its growth plan. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified in the Crown’s periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. See Crown’s most recent annual information form for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting Crown. In addition, Crown’s dividend policy will be reviewed from time to time in the context of the Corporation’s earnings, financial requirements for its operations, and other relevant factors and the declaration of a dividend will always be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Corporation. Crown undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

For further information, please contact:

Craig Armitage
Investor Relations
craig.armitage@crowncapital.ca

(416) 347-8954

CALGARY, May 3, 2021 – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: CRWN), a capital partner to entrepreneurs and growth businesses, today announced it will host a conference call to discuss its 2021 first quarter financial results on May 12, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The call will be hosted by Chris Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael Overvelde, Chief Financial Officer.

Q1 2021 CONFERENCE CALL

DATE: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
TIME: 08:30 a.m. EST
DIAL IN NUMBER: (416) 764-8659 or (888) 664-6392
CONFERENCE ID: 42757603
REPLAY: (416) 764-8677 or (888) 390-0541 (replay code: 757603) Available until midnight (EST) May 19, 2021
WEBCAST: The audio webcast can be accessed at www.crowncapital.ca under Investor Relations or at this link.

VIRTUAL ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

DATE: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
TIME: 10:00 a.m. EST
WEBINAR: To register for the webinar, please visit: https://webinars.vantagevenues.com/crown-capital-agm-2021/ and complete the online form.

About Crown Capital Partners (TSX:CRWN)

Founded in 2000, Crown is a leading specialty finance company that provides growth capital to a diversified group of successful mid-market companies that are seeking alternatives to banks and private equity funds. Crown provides customized solutions in the form of loans, royalties, and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution. In addition to deploying capital as a principal investor, Crown develops, manages and co-invests in alternative investment funds, including Crown Partners Fund and Crown Capital Power Fund.

For further information, please contact:

Craig Armitage
Investor Relations
craig.armitage@crowncapital.ca
(416) 347-8954