The demand for Tailor Made Fish Farm’s product and technology has pushed the Port Stephens business to the point of expansion, which is why it has been listed for sale.
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Tailor Made’s managing director, Nick Arena, said the unique Bobs Farm aquaculture business was ready to go to the “next level” but would need an investor or buyer to see it get there.
A selling price has not been listed for the business, but buyers are looking at a $6 million price tag.
“We’re at a point where the next step probably involves something like a $2 million investment to take the business to the next level,” Mr Arena said.
“For me, it would be a brighter future to see the place reach its potential by having someone with the right bank account purchase and be able to support the business and take it further.”
Mr Arena established the fish farm in the Port 19 years ago, backed by investors.
The business has 22 shareholders.
About one tonne of barramundi is grown on site, in tanks, each week. This makes Tailor Made the largest barramundi fish farm in NSW.
The fish farm is also a leader in their field of growing land-based fish in a controlled environment, and in a sustainable way.
“The technology that we've developed is the ability to produce fish that aren't a native species anywhere at any one time by being able to control the environment,” Mr Arena said.
“Having environmental control over production of food is what the future is about. If you can’t control the environment, your production is a real hit and miss.
“The interest in growing fish, land-based in a controlled environment is on every country's wish list at the moment.”
Tailor Made uses solar energy to heat the fish tank water, cutting their electricity bills down by a third of what it could potentially be.
They recycle the nutrient rich fish tank water, using it on the vegetable and herbs it also produces and sells.
Mr Arena, who won NSW Farmer of the Year in 2016 in recognition of the food production technology he has helped to pioneer, said the interest the business has received from overseas was “extremely high”.
“But it’s very hard to capitalise on in countries like China where you are fearful that you're going to create small systems that are going to be copied and you're going to lose control over the technology,” he said.
“There’s plenty of room for someone to achieve that, that might also be able to open the doors to somewhere like China which could be a massive market for the technology that’s been developed here.”
Tailor Made Fish Farm is being sold by Port Stephens Complete Real Estate Anna Bay.
The farm is set on 43 acres at Bobs Farm and the sale includes the fish farm, the on-site Cookabarra restaurant and three bedroom house, farm machinery and most importantly the technology that has made the business such a success.
Expressions of interest are being sought, but selling agent Charlie Elias said they were seeking offers of up to $6 million.
