LONDON: S-Ventures, the Company establishing an exciting group of natural and organic brands, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the business and assets of Livia’s Health Foods Limited a UK manufacturer of natural, plant based, indulgent, innovative and healthy food treats.
Livia’s Health Foods was founded in 2014 with the aim of creating indulgent, innovative snack food products made with plant based, natural ingredients.
All products are gluten and dairy free. In 2017 the company launched its products nationwide to major UK grocery stores and supermarkets including Sainsbury’s Ocado and Waitrose. Product ranges include Million Squares, Nugglets and Dunx, all made of natural ingredients.
More recently in 2020 the product range was expanded further into sweet snacking with the launch of Dunx Dips.
In the year ended 30 September 2020 the latest period for which accounts were filed, sales were £1.6m and unaudited loss before taxation was £1.39m. Unaudited management accounts for the 12 months ended 31 January 2022 showed sales of £1.3 million.
The aggregate consideration for the acquisition is £355,000 payable on completion comprising £130,000 in cash and 321,429 new ordinary shares in S-Ventures issued at a price of 70p per share (“New Ordinary Shares”], as compared to the closing mid-market price of an S-Ventures ordinary shares of 47.5p on 16 February 2022. In addition, the vendors will receive a bonus of up to an additional £100,000 in cash and new S-Ventures ordinary shares, also issued at a price of 70p per share, if Livia’s revenues exceed £600,000 in the 10 months following the acquisition.
Livia’s is the latest addition to the rapidly growing portfolio of health food businesses acquired by S-Ventures since its listing on the Aquis Growth Market in September 2020. The S-Ventures team will apply their skills and resources to direct and develop Livia’s with the aim of enabling the business to realise its full potential.
Scott Livingston, S-Ventures Chief Executive Officer commented: “The Livia’s team have done a fantastic job in establishing and building a respected and successful brand and set of healthy plant based snacking products across multiple channels. As part of the S-Ventures Group Livia’s can expand and progress and become a mainstream player in this growing natural based products market. I am very excited about the prospects of this innovative business and the enthusiasm of its management team.”
Application will be made for the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on the AQSE Growth Market and this is expected to occur on or around 23 February 2022 (“Admission”). Following Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 117,141,340 ordinary shares. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interests in, or change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules
