Griffin Announces Update on REIT Conversion, Dividend Plans, and Upcoming Rebranding
24 November 2020 - 8:40AM
Griffin Industrial Realty, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRIF) (“Griffin”
or the “Company”) today announced that its election to
become a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) is on track and
expected to become effective on January 1, 2021. On November 17,
2020, in connection with the anticipated election to become a REIT,
the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s
fiscal year end from November 30 to December 31, effective
beginning with the Company’s next fiscal year, which will now begin
on January 1, 2021 and end on December 31, 2021 (the “New Fiscal
Year”). As a result of the change, the Company will have a
one-month transition period beginning on December 1, 2020 and
ending on December 31, 2020 (the “Transition Period”). The results
of the Transition Period are expected to be reported in the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed for the first
quarter of the New Fiscal Year, ending March 31, 2021, and in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed for the New Fiscal
Year.
“I am excited that we are on track to complete our anticipated
election to be taxed as a REIT in 2021,” said Michael Gamzon,
President & Chief Executive Officer. “We believe the REIT
conversion is a critical component to realizing the next phase of
Griffin’s growth, expanding our investor base, improving the
liquidity of our stock and creating meaningful shareholder value
over the long term.”
Dividend Plans
In connection with the anticipated REIT conversion, Griffin also
announced its intention to declare a dividend in the first quarter
of the New Fiscal Year to distribute its estimated accumulated
earnings and profits (the “E&P Distribution”), instead of
paying an annual dividend in the fourth quarter as it has in
previous years. The E&P Distribution is estimated to range
between $10.0 million and $12.0 million, or between $1.77 and $2.12
per share of Griffin’s common stock (“common stock”) and will be
based on Griffin’s taxable results through December 31, 2020. The
actual amount of the E&P Distribution will vary depending on
the occurrence, if any, and timing of certain transactions,
including any sales of assets currently under agreements to be
sold, and the Company’s actual financial results. The E&P
Distribution will be paid in a combination of cash and common
stock, with the cash component expected to be a minimum of $0.55
per share. Beginning in the second quarter of the New Fiscal Year,
Griffin expects to begin making regular quarterly dividend
payments.
Rebranding
In connection with the previously announced strategic
initiatives the Company is undertaking, Griffin intends to rebrand
under a new company name and ticker symbol during the first quarter
of the New Fiscal Year.
“We look forward to sharing our new Company identity,” said
Ashley Pizzo, Director of Investor Relations & Capital Markets.
“We believe the adoption of a new name and refresh of our branding
will further align the Company with the mission we have shared this
month at our Virtual Investor Day and REITworld, and the growth
plans that we intend to continue to pursue.”
About Griffin
Griffin Industrial Realty, Inc. (“Griffin”) is a real estate
business principally engaged in developing, acquiring, managing and
leasing industrial/warehouse properties. Griffin recently completed
the sale of an approximately 40,000 square foot office/flex
building and currently owns 41 buildings totaling approximately 4.6
million square feet (4.2 million of which is industrial/warehouse
space) in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida in
addition to over 3,400 acres of undeveloped land.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This Press Release includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. These forward-looking statements include Griffin’s beliefs
and expectations regarding future events or conditions including,
without limitation, statements regarding Griffin’s anticipated
election to become a REIT, Griffin’s expectations regarding the
timing of release of results of the Transition Period, the
declaration, form, amount and timing of the E&P Distribution,
the payment and timing of future quarterly dividend payments, the
timing of adopting a new company name and ticker symbol, potential
sales of assets currently under agreements to be sold, and plans
for growth, expansion, liquidity and long-term shareholder value.
Although Griffin believes that its plans, intentions and
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or
expectations will be achieved. The projected information disclosed
herein is based on assumptions and estimates that, while considered
reasonable by Griffin as of the date hereof, are inherently subject
to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the
control of Griffin and which could cause actual results and events
to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. Other important factors that could
affect the outcome of the events set forth in these statements are
described in Griffin’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings,
including the “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking
Statements” sections in Griffin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and the “Risk Factors”
section in Griffin’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended August 31, 2020. Griffin disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments
occurring after the date of this press release except as required
by law.
CONTACT:Anthony
GaliciChief Financial
Officer(860) 286-1307
agalici@griffinindustrial.com
Ashley PizzoDirector, IR & Capital
Markets(212) 218-7914
apizzo@griffinindustrial.com
Griffin Industrial Realty (NASDAQ:GRIF)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2025 to Mar 2025
Griffin Industrial Realty (NASDAQ:GRIF)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Mar 2025