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Established Company
30 year old, profitable agricultural company; a leader in the market for salt and heat tolerant, non-dormant varieties of alfalfa seed.
Large Barriers to Entry
S&W currently has developed 10 varieties of alfalfa seed and owns the proprietary technology. In independent University of California yield trials in 2009, S&W varieties took first place and with four of the top ten varieties, S&W seed was the only company to have more than one variety in the top 10. The estimated development time for alfalfa seed is five years. Replacement cost of facility is estimated at $12 million.
Growth Opportunity
Posted 29 years of profit with only one year resulting in a small loss. This facility is a platform for significant growth and S&W plans to increase the utilization of their facility as it is operating at less than 20% capacity. Historically, they have not advertised the advantages of their proprietary alfalfa seed and they see a tremendous opportunity in promoting its advantages to new and existing markets. Although proprietary alfalfa seed is the mainstay of the business, S&W has implemented a pilot program that is targeted at using their grower base to produce stevia leaf, the source of an all natural, non-caloric sweetener.
Proprietary Technology
As the current population crisis has led to marginally fertile land and diminishing water supplies, S&W’s proprietary alfalfa varietals provide an opportunity for higher yielding crops.
Our Leadership
Mark Grewal, President and CEO, who is leading the new management team at S&W, was in charge of all farming operations for J.G. Boswell, one of the largest farming operation in the USA. He also ran a major alfalfa seed operation for Boswell.
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