Introductory listing ceremony speech

Blair Beaton, Group Executive – Listings, ASX: So, it's my incredible pleasure to welcome everybody here to the listing of Chemist Warehouse Group through its merger with Sigma Healthcare.

It's fantastic to see so many people here today who have made this merger possible. I know it's been a long time coming, and those of you that have dedicated so much to your respective businesses, we are really excited for all of you and honored to have you here in Exchange Square today.

Today's listing of Chemist Warehouse through its merger of Sigma Healthcare will see over $27 billion of new Sigma shares begin trading this month.

Mario Verrocchi, CEO and Co-founder, Chemist Warehouse: Patience and time, the two biggest warriors needed to achieve success. So Sigma, welcome to this family. Welcome to the grind.

Piece to camera interviews 

Giri Tenneti, Senior Manager – Listed Company Services, ASX: The listing of the Chemist Warehouse business by reverse takeover through Sigma will create the 22nd largest company on ASX by market cap.

Furthermore, the secondary issuance of shares by Sigma resulting from the Chemist Warehouse reverse takeover, is the second largest ever on ASX, exceeded only by the BHP consolidation of their listing onto ASX back in 2022.

How does it feel reaching this milestone and being a part of one of the largest transactions on ASX in the last 20 years? 

Jack Gance, Co-founder, Chemist Warehouse:  It feels surreal, it feels unreal. But the thing is that it's only because of the support of our customers and our suppliers and our staff. 
 
Michael Sammells, Chairman, Sigma: We're really proud to be honest. This has been a long road. I think it's a transformational transaction for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. We're delighted to be able to bring Chemist Warehouse to market as part of Sigma Healthcare. It's been a long road and it's an amazing event.

Mario: If I'm honest, I think it's a bit surreal. It's something that you work to, I guess from when you start in business, you want to achieve a pinnacle. And today it's true, it's real. And I subscribe to the view that if you wish for something hard enough, it comes true.

Sam Gance, Co-founder, Chemist Warehouse: We never thought we'd ever get here. It’s been a wonderful surprise and I think it's an acknowledgement of the effort of all our team. It’s a match made in heaven.

What’s next for the business?

Mark Davis, CFO, Chemist Warehouse: Well, I think it's a really exciting time. I mean, naturally we've got a fantastic franchise with leading stores right throughout the country, growing internationally. But the merger also enables a tremendous amount of efficiencies of bringing the two organisations together.

So, we're very excited about this milestone and being able to get on with the integration job. And we've got a large opportunity for ongoing growth. 

Vikesh Ramsunder, CEO, Sigma: I think the work just starts to begin today. It's been an enormous amount of work to get to the start line. It's really about getting to know each other and learning more about the business.

Due to competition restrictions, we haven't been able to speak to each other more closely. So really this is the beginning, we'll get to understand the business, and then we'll then maximize on the opportunities that come from that.

How does having Chemist Warehouse become part of the Sigma family contribute to the business’ strategy and growth?

Michael: I think if you look closely at the business of Sigma, as a wholesaler distributor, its success has been very closely aligned to supplying product to Chemist Warehouse. To have us part of the same organization and to get access to the Chemist Warehouse retail knowledge for our franchise network, I think it's a really exciting time for everyone. 

Vikesh: Well, I think Chemist Warehouse resonates with consumers across Australia. I really believe they're one of the best retailers in the country, and bringing their expertise and retail know-how to help grow the Amcal and DDS brands, will also grow the business moving into the future. So I'm really excited about this.

Mario: I think the marriage between Sigma and Chemist Warehouse is a very simple one. We're very good at something, which is retailing, they're very good at logistics. You put those two things together, and it's like tying skyrockets to the back of you. You get this instant propulsion into the world.

What is your proposition for Australian investors?

Jack: Well, I think investors can now share on the benefits. We've given benefits to our suppliers. We've given benefits to our consumers. Now we've got benefits for the investing public. To be able to share the benefits of our growth and profitability, which we believe would be outstanding.

Michael: I think the opportunity for investors and shareholders to own part of Australia's leading pharmaceutical wholesaler distributor, franchisor is an amazing opportunity. I think it changes the pharmacy landscape, and it certainly enables existing Sigma shareholders to participate in the growth of Chemist Warehouse over time. 

Sam: Invest in Sigma. It's well worthwhile. The future is unbelievable!

Mario’s speech post bell ringing

Mario: Two minutes ago, it all changed, and it's changed forever. So after 50 years of toil, 50 years of grind, we've established ourselves as the leaders of this industry, because let's face it, we're the only Sigma.