Japan Tobacco announces acquisition of UK-based e-cigarette company Zandera; transaction terms not disclosed, deal expected to be completed later in Q2

Nevin Barich

June 11, 2014 (press release) – Agreement further extends emerging products portfolio

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) announced today that it has concluded an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Zandera Ltd. (“Zandera”), a leader in e-cigarettes and best known for its E-Lites brand. Founded in 2009, Zandera sells the most recognized range of high quality rechargeable and ready-to-use e-cigarettes in the United Kingdom.

“Our investment in Zandera provides the JT Group with an excellent entry-point into the fast-growing e-cigarette category,” commented Masamichi Terabatake, JTI’s (Japan Tobacco International) Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO. “With E-Lites’ well-established brand and product portfolio, we are able to offer adult consumers another important extension to our growing range of emerging and innovative products such as tobacco vapor pods (Ploom).”

The executive management team of Zandera will remain with the JT Group post-acquisition in order to leverage upon their extensive knowledge and experience of the e-cigarette industry, their understanding of the product, technology and regulatory landscape.

“With access to the JT Group’s global distribution muscle as well as their research & development expertise, proven commitment to quality assurance and vision for emerging products, we look forward to growing the business and further enhancing E-Lites’ product offering,” said Adrian Everett, Zandera’s co-founder and CEO.

This transaction will be funded by the Group’s existing cash and loan facilities and is expected to have a minor effect on the Group’s consolidated performance and cash flows for the fiscal year 2014. JT expects to complete the acquisition in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2014 following regulatory clearance.

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