Cannabis Company With N.B. Footprint Has Ambitious Growth Plans
ATHOLVILLE, N.B. – A Canadian medicinal and recreational cannabis grower with strong roots in New Brunswick plans to expand its footprint in the Maritimes and beyond in 2019.
Zenabis Global Inc., which currently has facilities in Delta, B.C. and Atholville, N.B., recently completed a reverse take-over of Bevo Agro Inc. by Sun Pharm Investments Ltd, a deal that will see all three companies now operate under one name: Zenabis Global Inc.
May Nazair, head of licensing and communications for Zenabis, says it has the potential to help make Zenabis one of the largest licensed marijuana companies in the world.
“The creation of Zenabis Global really represents an excellent combination of companies so we’re now positioned to leverage the increasing opportunities available to both the Canadian and international Cannabis sectors,” said Nazair in an interview with Huddle. “It means a lot of new jobs and a healthy boost to the economy and all the good stuff that comes along with that.”
The acquisition will allow the company to leverage higher production capacity and lower productions costs.
“For us, it’s a landmark deal in the Canadian cannabis sector. We’re very excited to be part of it,” said Nazair. “We’re going to be putting a lot of focus on delivering value for our customers and shareholders. We’re in expansion mode on a constant basis so there’s a lot happening with our company.”
Part of the expansion includes a 2,091,880 sq. ft facility in Langley, B.C. and a 255,000 sq. ft facility in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, which are both expected to be operational in the next few months.
“We recently submitted our final evidence package in December and we’re hoping to hear back from Health Canada shortly with regards to the respective cultivation license,” said Nazair of the progress on the Nova Scotia facility.
The Stellarton facility will operate under Vida, one of Zenabis’ medicinal marijuana brands. They just finished converting one-third of the Stellarton space and the company estimates that the facility will hire approximately 150 people in its first year of operation.
“We will be focusing on initially the cultivation of cannabis and then we will be applying afterward for other licenses in order to do processing,” said Nazair.
Zenabis also plans to keep building out its operation in New Brunswick at its 380,000 sq. ft facility in Atholville.
“We have been in expansion mode since we started. We haven’t stopped. We’re simultaneously converting the rest of the warehouse space for cultivation and processing,” said Nazair. “We will be continuing to build out the rest of the Althoville site over the next year as well as the Stellarton site as well.”
The Atholville site currently employs around 150 people, with that number expected to grow this year and the facility expands. Nazair said the company is regularly looking to fill positions for different levels of cultivators, growers, production managers and directors, quality assurance associates, security and administration, among others
“We’re always in a state of hiring,” she said. “Every time I go into the site, I see new people doing orientation so it’s been very exciting.”
Since cannabis legalization in October last year, Nazair says Zenabis’ entrance into the recreational market has been successful so far.
“We’ve secured various contracts with provincial governments and other provincial licensed distributors. We have been able to fulfill all of our orders to date,” she said.
“We’ve been seeing the market boom. Obviously, it’s still very early on to determine what the market and trends are going to look like over the next few years, but we’re off to a very good start.”
Zenabis’ recreational line is called Namaste, which offers different strains of cannabis for both experienced and newer users (or those who want a bit more CBD in their weed). Nazair teased more recreational products in the works but was tight-lipped on any specific details.
“We’re looking at expanding our recreational lines and offering various products to our consumers under different brand names as well,” she says.
“I anticipate a lot will be happening in 2019.”