- Company Focused on Core Strengths in Healthcare Services Businesses
With High Margins, Strong Cash Flows, Long-Term Potential and Limited
Regulatory Risk -
TORONTO, June 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric
Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), Canada's leading diversified
healthcare company, held its 2014 Investor Day yesterday in Toronto at
which President and Chief Executive Officer, David Cutler, unveiled the
Company's growth strategy and members of the Senior Leadership team
provided updates on innovative initiatives aligned to the Company's
core healthcare services business segments.
"The Canadian healthcare system is rapidly evolving," said David Cutler,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation.
"Rising healthcare costs and public budgetary pressures, exacerbated by
an unprecedented aging of the population, requires innovative solutions
from independent providers who can support the public healthcare system
in key areas. With an established healthcare services platform focused
on addressing the most critical needs in Canadian healthcare - seniors'
services, corporate health costs and surgical costs and wait times -
Centric Health is positioned to play an integral role to support access
to and delivery of the highest quality care."
Mr. Cutler discussed the Company's overriding objective to provide
leading patient outcomes through a dedication to quality, client
centricity and innovation and technology in three focus areas -
Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Wellness; Specialty Pharmacy; and
Surgical and Medical Centres - as well as its new Corporate Health
Plans initiative.
"Over the past several months, we have undertaken an extensive analysis
of each of our businesses in the context of Canada's healthcare needs,
our core strengths and our best opportunities," continued Mr. Cutler.
"Based on this analysis, we have taken major steps to optimize our
delivery model, focusing on existing businesses and future
opportunities that generate strong cash flow, minimize working capital
requirements and limit legislative and funding risk. In doing so, we
have significantly strengthened the long-term value proposition of our
platform and its ability to drive long-term, sustainable value for our
shareholders.
Earlier this week, the Company announced the divestitures of its
MEDIchair and Motion Specialties retail operations and DNPI Group,
which comprises substantially all of the Company's methadone pharmacy
operations, for expected proceeds of $50 million and $20 million,
respectively.
In the context of its sharpened focus, Centric Health presented its four
strategic priorities going forward:
-
Focus on its core strengths;
-
Strengthen its balance sheet;
-
Position the Company for future growth; and
-
Win on quality, innovation and client service.
"In tandem with our renewed business focus, strengthening the balance
sheet remains a top priority," said Daniel Gagnon, Chief Financial
Officer, Centric Health Corporation. "We have taken meaningful steps
over the past 12 or so months to generate additional cash flow and add
financial flexibility. In addition to enabling us to act on new growth
opportunities consistent with our strategy, our recently announced
divestitures of non-core businesses, which will generate a combined $70
million in proceeds, provide additional flexibility in the short term
as we begin to realize the results of our strategy to grow EBITDA in
our core businesses and reduce debt levels going forward."
Archived Webcast of Centric Health's Investor Day
An archived webcast of Centric Health's 2014 Investor Day is available
on the Centric Health web site at http://www.centrichealth.ca/investors/events-and-presentations.
About Centric Health
Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's premier healthcare company,
providing innovative solutions centered on patients and healthcare
professionals. As a diversified healthcare company with investments in
several niche service areas, Centric Health currently has operations in
medical assessments, disability and rehabilitation management,
physiotherapy and surgical centres, specialty pharmacy and wellness and
prevention. With knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery in
international markets and extensive and trusted relationships with
payers, physicians, and government agencies, Centric Health is pursuing
expansion opportunities into other healthcare sectors to create value
for all stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to the highest
quality of care. Centric Health is listed on the TSX under the symbol
CHH. For further information, please visit www.centrichealth.ca.
This press release contains statements that may constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian
securities legislation. These forward-looking statements include,
among others, statements regarding business strategy, plans and other
expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements
about possible future events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that
involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and
in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by
Centric Health and described in the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of
the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire
or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Centric Health will
derive there-from.
SOURCE Centric Health Corporation
