New Era Aquaculture specialises in the formulation, development, manufacture and distribution of innovative fish feeds. It also designs, installs and maintains distinctive aquariums for the corporate and leisure markets. Since its launch in 2004, the company has focused its activities on developing its product range and has invested heavily in its manufacturing facilities. The Funds’ original investment, made in late 2008, supported the company’s growth and allowed it to scale up its operation and increase its market presence, as well as install a live fish holding facility at its modernised premises.

Since the original investment, the company has enjoyed significant growth and has been awarded a number of contracts, including a three year contract with Merlin Entertainments Group to supply technical diets to all thirty of its SeaLife Centres across Europe and in the USA.

The company now sells its product range to domestic and commercial customers throughout the UK and across mainland Europe, USA and the Middle East, having secured the contract to supply the feed to one of the world’s largest aquariums, The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, located in the Dubai Mall.

Jonathan Diggines, CEO of EV,  commented, “We continue to be impressed with the technical expertise of the management team and it has developed an innovative product range for both domestic and commercial use. There are a number of exciting opportunities in the pipeline for the company and we look forward to continuing to work with the New Era and supporting its growth and success”.

Paul Taberner, EV Investment Director, said, “New Era is now exploiting the full benefits of the new manufacturing facilities installed during 2009 and we are pleased to be able to provide continued support as the business continues to expand”.

Peter Kersh, Managing Director of New Era Aquaculture, said, “Exciting times ahead for everyone at the company as we really start to develop the opportunities that we have created over the last two years. We’re obviously delighted that the Coalfields Funds continue to support us. It gives us tremendous confidence for the future growth of the company”.