Torqx Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Ocean Nutrition Europe and Marine Nutrition Thailand (Ocean Nutrition) in partnership with the current owners, Erik Van den Brande and Ward Brijs, who will continue to lead the company as active co-shareholders.
Ocean Nutrition is a premium supplier of fish feed for hatchery and broodstock aquaculture segments, as well as both the marine and freshwater ornamental segments. In addition, the company is also active in specialized and innovative feed for biotech companies, laboratories and research facilities. Ocean Nutrition has its headquarters in Belgium, from where it serves a diverse set of customers including aquarium experts, distributors and aquaculture farms.
In Thailand, it operates a state-of-the-art production plant delivering high-quality dry, frozen and Artemia-based nutrition for the group with direct sales to APAC-based aquaculture farms and aquatic distributors. Ocean Nutrition’s high-quality products represent a nutritional diet for a broad range of fish and shrimp species and adhere to strict quality controls.
Erik Van den Brande and Ward Brijs, current co-owners of Ocean Nutrition, said that “since the foundation of Ocean Nutrition, we have been very proud to deliver the highest-quality products and service to our customers with whom we have established long-lasting relationships. Today, we are a well-established company with a solid brand and reputation in the industry backed by unique know-how. We see exciting growth opportunities ahead and look forward to exploring partnerships with like-minded firms to join our rapid growth curve. We are happy to join forces with Torqx who truly understand our business, our company’s DNA, and our dedication to supporting our customers and suppliers.”
Laurent Blumberg, investment director of Torqx, said that “Ocean Nutrition represents a unique opportunity to invest in an exceptional business and team that has for many years differentiated itself successfully as a truly innovative nutrition expert. We are very impressed with the achievements of Erik and Ward and the entire Ocean Nutrition team and admire the company’s quality and the enthusiasm of its employees, excellent track record and persistent focus on building partnerships with customers and suppliers. We look forward to supporting Erik and Ward to pursue ambitious growth targets and complementary add-on acquisitions in the aquatics and aquaculture industry. This investment exemplifies Torqx’s deep experience of partnering and investing in owner-led businesses where it can support the company to deliver sustainable growth on an accelerated timeline.”
