Case Studies

SeaAgri, Inc.: A Confidential Sale to a Buyer Building a Family Legacy

Written by Mark Werbalowsky | Aug 21, 2026, 4:02:43 PM
Transaction Snapshot

SeaAgri, Inc.

Sell-Side Advisory  |  Specialty Agricultural Inputs & Livestock Nutrition  |  Dunwoody, Georgia

Client
SeaAgri, Inc.
Headquarters
Dunwoody, Georgia
Dealmaker
Mark Werbalowsky
Announced
February 2020
20
Qualified Buyers
5 Months
Launch to Close
8,000+
Active Customers
~100
Distributors
Buyer
Sea Agri Solutions, LLC
Acquisition entity formed by individual buyers Michael and Karen Sileck
 
The Company

A Specialty Agricultural Brand Built Around Sea Mineral Nutrition

SeaAgri, Inc. is a Dunwoody, Georgia-based manufacturer and distributor of full-spectrum sea mineral fertilizers and livestock nutrition products sold under its trademarked SEA-90 brand.

Founded in 2003 by Robert Cain, the company traces its origins to the scientific research of Dr. Maynard Murray. What began as a fertilizer concept for organic agriculture later expanded into livestock nutrition as the company recognized broader applications for full-spectrum minerals and trace elements.

Business Highlights
8,000+
Active customers
~100
Domestic and international distributors
3 States
Warehouse distribution across California, Missouri, and Georgia
Through 2038
Exclusive supply and importation agreement

Over more than fifteen years, SeaAgri built a loyal following among farmers, ranchers, and home gardeners drawn to its OMRI-listed, all-natural products.

Its long-standing exclusive supply relationship with a Mexico-based mineral producer, paired with multi-state warehouse distribution, gave the company a supply chain that competing regional producers could not easily replicate.

The Seller's Objective

Preparing for a Well-Earned Retirement

After building SeaAgri from a startup concept into an established regional and international brand, Robert Cain and Carmen Hagen were ready to retire.

Their priority was to find a new owner who could carry the SEA-90 brand, distributor network, customer relationships, and long-term growth opportunity forward.

 
The Process

Running a Targeted, Confidential Buyer Search

Sunbelt Atlanta, led by M&A Advisor Mark Werbalowsky, developed a targeted buyer universe of strategic and financial parties active in agricultural inputs, fertilizer manufacturing, and animal nutrition.

The process reached 20 qualified buyers under strict confidentiality, protecting SeaAgri's employees, distributors, customer relationships, and competitive position while the company was marketed for sale.

The transaction closed within five months of launch, reflecting a well-prepared seller and a focused, efficiently run sale process.

01

Selecting the Right Partner

Ownership selected Michael and Karen Sileck based on their business background, corporate track record, and stated intention to grow SeaAgri into an enterprise that could remain in their family for generations.

02

The Buyer's Perspective

For the Silecks, SeaAgri represented an opportunity to combine an established specialty brand, national and international distribution, and significant untapped geographic growth into a multigenerational family business.

Why the Business Stood Out

Structural Advantages Buyers Could Not Easily Replicate

01
Exclusive Supply
A long-term mineral supply and import agreement running through 2038.
02
Recognized Brand
The trademarked SEA-90 product line had developed a loyal specialty-market following.
03
OMRI-Listed Products
Organic-use listings supported the company's positioning in specialty agriculture.
04
Distributor Network
Approximately 100 domestic and international distributors expanded the company's reach.
 
Market Context

Industry Tailwinds Behind the Deal

SeaAgri operated at the intersection of fertilizer manufacturing, organic agriculture, and livestock nutrition, giving the company exposure to several favorable long-term demand trends.

$21.4B
Projected fertilizer manufacturing industry revenue by 2024
3.4%
Expected fertilizer price rebound in 2019
1.2%
Projected crop production growth in 2019

Rising crop production, increasing use of trace mineral nutrition in livestock, and continued consumer demand for organically grown produce all supported the broader growth story behind SeaAgri's specialty product portfolio.

Lessons for Sellers

Key Takeaways for Business Owners Considering a Sale

01. Protect the relationships that make your business defensible.
SeaAgri's exclusive supply agreement and organic-use product listings gave buyers confidence in the durability of the company's competitive position.
 
02. Let your reputation do the selling.
More than fifteen years of word-of-mouth growth and repeat distributor relationships created trust that buyers could validate during due diligence.
 
03. Cast a wide, confidential net.
Reaching qualified buyers through a structured process gave ownership alternatives rather than relying on a single unsolicited offer.
 
04. Know what matters beyond price.
For sellers focused on legacy, a buyer's vision, background, and long-term plans can matter just as much as the financial terms.
Planning Your Exit?

Thinking About Selling Your Manufacturing, Agricultural, Fertilizer, or Animal Nutrition Company?

SeaAgri's story shows how a specialty manufacturer with strong customer relationships, protected supply arrangements, and a differentiated product line can attract buyers with a long-term vision for the business. Sunbelt Atlanta runs confidential sale processes for privately held companies with no upfront fees.

Get a Business Valuation Talk With a Dealmaker
About Sunbelt Atlanta

Experienced Guidance From Valuation Through Closing

Since 1998, Sunbelt Atlanta has helped business owners across Georgia and the Southeast sell their companies confidentially and on their own terms. With more than 1,250 businesses sold, a no-upfront-fee, success-driven approach, and experience across industries including agricultural, fertilizer, and animal nutrition manufacturing, Sunbelt Atlanta's team of Dealmakers guides owners through every stage of a sale.