NewsMar 6, 2025· 7 min read

Dynacor refuses to call requisitioned Special Meeting – iolite calls Meeting for April 9, 2025 (TSX:DNG)

Dynacor refuses to call requisitioned Special Meeting – iolite calls Meeting for April 9, 2025 (TSX:DNG)

News Release

For Immediate Distribution

Freienbach, Switzerland, March 6, 2025

Dynacor refuses to call requisitioned Special Meeting –

iolite calls Meeting for April 9, 2025

iolite Capital Management AG, a Switzerland-based investment manager, requisitioned a Special Shareholder Meeting of Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX:DNG, the Company) on January 30, to have Mr. Robert Leitz elected to the board. Dynacor has failed to call the meeting as required. Consequently, iolite is now calling the meeting itself, which will be held on April 9, 2025, at 10 am ET. Further details regarding the meeting’s location and logistics will be announced shortly.

Capital Raise & Capital Allocation Concerns

On January 28 and 29, iolite met with board members in Montreal to discuss the state of matters at Dynacor and Mr. Leitz’s potential board appointment, the Company’s growth strategy, funding needs, and its persistent undervaluation. The Company had arranged for Mr. Leitz to meet the remaining board members as a final step in a lengthy nomination process. However, on January 30 - while Mr. Leitz was en route to the airport - Dynacor unexpectedly announced an unnecessary and heavily discounted capital raise. This move directly contradicted iolite’s indications that such a raise was not in the best interest of Dynacor, especially given the recent record earnings, dividend increase, and share buybacks. Notably, the Company made no mention of exploring alternative financing options, such as factoring or bank debt, despite Mr. Leitz suggesting the day before that cheaper financing solutions were available if ever needed.

The raise immediately and unnecessarily destroyed C$25 million (US$17 million) in shareholder value, a loss likely to compound over time. Many existing shareholders, including iolite, were excluded from participating in this handpicked offering, creating an inherently unfair situation. Subsequent press releases from Dynacor confirmed that the Company had no immediate need for a capital raise - a fact that further frustrated shareholders who already suspected as much.

The Company’s 2025 guidance projects positive free cash flow, including growth initiatives, and underscores that Dynacor’s balance sheet was and remains overcapitalized. With a growth-adjusted net profit margin projected at 5% - a multi-year low compared to the 8% reported in Q3 2024 - the sharp decline in profitability remains a critical concern, particularly considering record production volumes and record-high gold prices.

Key Questions

iolite’s well-founded questions and concerns continue to be disregarded by the Company:

Board members confirmed that no capital raise was planned as recently as late November. So why the sudden urgency? Dynacor was undervalued with no immediate need for capital. Issuing discounted shares for an undervalued company without pressing capital needs is not responsible. In December, the Company’s shares traded at an average daily volume of 40,370 shares (~C$ 242,220 at C$ 6.00/share) - indicative of sufficient liquidity. iolite itself was able to purchase 10% of the Company primarily through open-market transactions.

Governance Concerns

Dynacor urgently needs additional perspective representation aligned with the owners of the Company on its board to protect shareholder value, ensure fair and responsible capital allocation, and drive sustainable earnings-per-share growth. This urgency is heightened by the Company’s significant cash reserves, which are at risk of being mismanaged. Dynacor lacks a proven track record in M&A and international expansion, and the CEO has already hinted at further dilutive raises on the horizon.

Over the years, iolite has been a steadfast supporter of Dynacor’s vision - even urging the Company to take on more risk by accelerating international expansion. Bringing Mr. Leitz onto the board would infuse the team with highly relevant expertise, a deep understanding of the business, and a true ownership perspective. As one of nine directors bound by fiduciary duties, he would offer essential insights to ensure fair capital allocation, support sustainable EPS growth, and boost corporate credibility. Appointing Mr. Leitz is in the Company’s best interest.

Any reasonable leadership team and board would welcome such a major shareholder’s representative to help drive a shared vision. Instead, Dynacor has chosen to ignore iolite’s voice, dismiss its call for a special meeting, block a justified board seat request with false arguments, and persist in sending threatening letters. Shareholders deserve better.

iolite has repeatedly expressed its wishes to avoid legal battles and public confrontations. Regrettably, the Company has failed to take any meaningful steps toward resolving the situation. Dynacor could have - and still can - recognize the proper exercise of shareholders’ rights and engage constructively with a significant shareholder to add a director to the board who can bring not only experience but also a much-needed different perspective in the best interest of the Company. The refusal to either do so or call the special meeting of shareholders does not reflect the standards directors should uphold and gives the impression that the motivation is to entrench existing directors aligned with management.

About iolite

Founded in 2011 by Robert Leitz, iolite Capital is a Switzerland-based investment manager with a focus on hidden champions: good businesses at attractive valuations. iolite serves a select circle of private and institutional clients who share the same entrepreneurial mindset, are willing to invest for the long term, and who would like to have first-hand access to a dedicated portfolio manager with substantial and meaningful skin in the game. Using a private equity approach, iolite conducts deep fundamental research, constructively engages with management, and adopts a long-term investment horizon. For more information on iolite, please visit www.iolitecapital.com.

About Robert Leitz

Robert Leitz brings 25 years of experience in finance and commodities. His expertise in international M&A and distressed debt investing equips him to contribute effectively to the Company’s success. iolite holds a diverse portfolio of commodity-related investments across Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Africa. Before founding iolite, Mr. Leitz held positions at Glencore and several financial institutions, including TPG Credit, Goldman Sachs’ European Special Situations Group, and KPMG Corporate Restructuring. He holds a Master of Science in Business Administration and Economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, and completed his master’s thesis under the guidance of Prof. Eli Noam at Columbia University, New York.

Contacts

iolite Capital

Investor Relations

+41 79 227 29 08

dynacor@iolitecapital.com

Information in Support of Public Broadcast Solicitation

The information contained in this news release does not and is not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy by iolite within the meaning of applicable corporate and securities laws. Although iolite has requisitioned a meeting (the "Special Meeting") of the shareholders of Dynacor, there is currently no record or meeting date and shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy in favor of iolite`s nominee or any other resolutions set forth in the requisition. In connection with the Special Meeting, iolite is voluntarily providing the disclosure required under sections 9.2(4) and 9.2(6) of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations.

This news release and any solicitation made by iolite in advance of the Special Meeting is, or will be, as applicable, made by iolite and not by or on behalf of the management of Dynacor.

Shareholders of Dynacor are not being asked at this time to execute proxies in favor of iolite's nominee (in respect of the Special Meeting) or any other resolution that may be set forth in the requisition. iolite intends to make its solicitation primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited personally by telephone, email or other electronic means, as well as by newspaper or other media advertising or in person. In addition, iolite may solicit proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable Canadian corporate and securities laws, by way of public broadcast, including press release, speech or publication, and in any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws. Any members, partners, directors, officers or employees of iolite and its affiliates or other persons who solicit proxies on behalf of iolite will do so for no additional compensation. The costs incurred in the preparation and mailing of a circular in connection with the Special Meeting, and the solicitation of proxies by iolite will be borne by iolite, provided that, subject to applicable law, iolite may seek reimbursement from Dynacor of iolite's out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with a successful vote at the Special Meeting.

📎 iolite - press release - DNG - 2025-03-06.pdf (PDF · 195 KB)

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