Debra Borchardt
California-based cannabis edible company PLUS Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQB: PLPRF) delivered its unaudited financial results for second-quarter ending June 30, 2019, with revenues climbing 125% to $3.6 million over last year’s revenues of $1.6 million. The company experienced a 10% increase sequentially over the first quarter of 2019. The net loss for the quarter was $5.3 million versus last year’s net loss of $1.1 million for the same time period.
Gross margins jumped 20% in the second quarter to $0.7 million as compared to $0.2 million or 14% in 2018 for the second quarter as the company improved operating efficiencies.
“Our high product standards, growing brand recognition and the launch of our new line of mints drove strong demand for our products this quarter, cementing our position as a top-selling cannabis brand in California,” said Jake Heimark, co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “For the 5th consecutive quarter, PLUS “Uplift” was the #1 best-selling cannabis product in California in dollars sold, according to data from BDS Analytics.”
Operating expenses jumped to $5.3 million in the quarter up from $1.3 million as the company hired key management personnel. PLUS said that it continues to invest in sales, operations and corporate personnel to support current future growth opportunities, as well the costs of being a public company.
Heimark addressed the new hires saying, “We also expanded our management team by appointing Jon Paul, a veteran senior corporate finance executive and certified public accountant, as Chief Financial Officer, and Marc Seguin, former president and CMO of Popchips, as Chief Revenue Officer, to lead our sales strategy. Mr. Seguin is one of the first executives to leave the food industry for a non-hemp, cannabis touching company and we are proud to be attracting such high calibre talent to the Company as we lay the framework for continued growth.”
Looking Ahead
PLUS Products cash balance rose to $34.1 million at the end of June up from $22.4 million as of December 31, 2018. The company raised $23.68M from the sale of convertible debentures and as a result of warrant exercises in the first six months of 2019. The company launched a new line of mints and is planning an expansion into Nevada by partnering with TapRoot Holdings. PLUS gummies are expected to be available in the state at some point in the second half of 2019.
“Looking ahead to the second half of 2019, we are implementing several initiatives to drive our strategic growth plan, including ramping distribution of our new PLUS Mints line into more dispensaries in California, initiating sales of our gummies in Nevada supported by a comprehensive sales and marketing campaign in both states, and launching new SKUs. Beyond these initiatives, the company is actively exploring entry into additional markets beyond California and Nevada. We see this as a key growth lever as we work to build a national brand, and are confident in our ability bring the winning formula we have developed in California to new markets,” concluded Mr. Heimark.
During the quarter the stock was uplisted from the OTCQB to the OTCQX. The stock was lately trading at $3.07, above its 52-week low of $2.52.
