Neptune’s Balance exploring new markets

A private equity investor with connections to the UK firm Bell’s Health Care met with the two men Feb. 16. Their initial meeting turned into a seven-hour marathon where they discussed everything from the evolution of Neptune’s Balance products to the possibility of manufacturing and distribution.

Bell’s Health Care provides drug stores throughout the UK, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Far East. “Darrell told me if he had a truckload of the Aqua-healing cream, he could have sold it off the back of the truck,” said Munro.

The chemical-free cream is reputed to relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and shingles.

Munro is the Long Island fisherman whose insight and entrepreneurial inclinations led to the launch of Neptune’s Balance in 2005.

The company’s creams and cleaners are made from ocean products that include scallop shells.

Munro said it was his niece, Shirley Langpohl, who suggested the name at a board meeting. “Neptune was the god of the sea, and since the products come from the sea, and since they’re environmentally friendly, the name makes sense.”

The company has a small plant in Freeport and another at Fish Point, and in 2006 purchased the former Jones Bottling plant in Weymouth.

Neptune’s Balance employed 12 when it first began producing but manufacturing is now in hiatus.

Munro said he anticipates an announcement within a month regarding the launch of a water purification product his company has developed.

Tests are currently being conducted at Acadia University and once the product is approved, he expects it will find a market as far away as Australia. “We have a lot of irons in the fire,” said Munro.

While it seems that those irons are finally heating up, Munro expressed frustration at the lack of government support he has received. He said the Scottish deal could result in 20 jobs, and when the water purification product is launched there is the potential to create 100 jobs.

He said his business has been invited to set up shop in the United States, and he has also had overtures from New Brunswick. “But I’d really like for the jobs to stay here in Digby County,” he said.