Oyster farming technology company receives South Australian Export Accelerator funding

06 Jan 2021
An innovative designer and manufacturer of oyster farming systems, SEAPA, is one of seven companies to share in $107,550 worth of funding as part of the South Australia Export Accelerator Program, which will see the South Australian-owned company create five new jobs and potential export sales in the region of $1.2 million.
 
SEAPA has been awarded nearly $30,000 in Round 8 of the South Australian Export Accelerator program which provides funding support to South Australian exporters at each stage of their export journey.
 
The business, owned by the Thompson family, designs, manufactures and supplies more than 60 oyster farming systems and products to enable farmers to grow the world’s best oysters with minimal labour input.
 
Based in South Australia, North America, Europe and Asia, the company already exports to all of these regions and is now looking at China. The funding will assist SEAPA to focus on digital promotional activities to overcome restrictions created by the COVID-19 health pandemic.
 
SEAPA’s products are manufactured in Edwardstown by SEAPA’s sister company Garon Plastics, also owned by the Thompson family, employing 20 South Australians.
 
Minister for Trade and Investment, Stephen Patterson, says it is encouraging to see South Australian exporters continue to look at innovative ways to engage with new markets in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“2020 has been a year of significant change for our exporters,” Minister Patterson said. “They have had to adapt their business models and way of thinking to ensure they continue to stay connected to international markets in order to maintain a competitive advantage.
 
“I congratulate SEAPA for recognising the need to move away from the traditional methods of doing business, often face-to-face, and embracing digital technology as the way forward to maintain sales and to create new business opportunities.
 
“The South Australian Export Accelerator program provides funding opportunities for our state’s exporters and is a chance for them to dip their toe in the water to try a new way of doing business. I encourage companies to visit the Department for Trade and Investment’s website to learn more about the program.”
 
Andy Will Group General Manager for SEAPA, encourages other South Australian companies to benefit from the grant by applying for the next round of funding. The company will use their funding to support the development of advertising and instructional videos, website changes and develop social media campaigns to support export market product launches.
 
“SEAPA is excited and grateful to be a participant in the most recent round of funding under the South Australian Export Accelerator grant program,” Mr Will said. “This funding will allow us to continue to build on the momentum that we have developed in a number of international markets. The grant will assist greatly as we continue to pivot how we do business in our key markets following a very challenging year in 2020.”
 
Other recipients in Round 8 included: All Natural Gourmet Pet Treats Pty Ltd; Bec Hardy Wines Pty Ltd; Claymore Wines; Cooper Burns Wine; Macro Leather Pty Ltd and Mt Barker Bakery Trust.