Our story
MacLab was founded in 1973 by
brothers Jim and Bill Broadbent who
pioneered the green-lipped mussel
nutraceutical market.
Having introduced the world to mussel
powder for use in health products, Jim
and Bill saw the potential for a market-
leading product backed by science.
They invested heavily in research and
development working with leading
scientists, universities and research
institutes from around the world, funding
more than 30 clinical research studies.
Our story
MacLab was founded in 1973 by
brothers Jim and Bill Broadbent who
pioneered the green-lipped mussel
nutraceutical market.
Having introduced the world to mussel
powder for use in health products, Jim
and Bill saw the potential for a market-
leading product backed by science.
They invested heavily in research and
development working with leading
scientists, universities and research
institutes from around the world, funding
more than 30 clinical research studies.
Today MacLab farms and procures green-lipped mussels for manufacture into the best quality mussel powder. The powder is then sold to our partner, Pharmalink International, for further processing into market-leading marine oils including Lyprinol and Antinol.
Setting new standards within the mussel nutraceutical market
Our locations
Manufacturing
and head office
Our head office and state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility is based in Nelson.
Mussel farms
From the sheltered inlets of the
Marlborough Sounds to the open waters
of Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, we have
mussel farms at various locations across
the top of the South Island.
Manufacturing
and head office
Our head office and state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility is based in Nelson.
Mussel farms
From the sheltered inlets of the Marlborough Sounds to the open waters of Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, we have mussel farms at various locations across the top of the South Island.
Growing opportunities in Golden Bay
We are committed to sustainably and responsibly growing the supply of mussels from marine farming activities in Golden Bay.
In 1999 we teamed up with others to develop a 1000 hectare marine farm. It was a long journey taking 20 years for the resource consent to be approved in late 2019. The real journey has only just begun with the development of this farm over the years ahead.
In addition to the benefits for us and our partners, local iwi benefit by receiving 200 hectares of the application through the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement Claim Act.
Furthermore, the Golden Bay community direct benefit with the partners assigning 160 hectares of the resource to the Golden Bay Community Trust which we co-established. The purpose of the trust is for education, protection of the environment, public health, provision of recreational facilities, culture, heritage and arts in the Golden Bay community.
In addition to the income flows to the charitable trust, the farming activities will positively contribute to Golden Bay’s sustainable growth and provide more local jobs. More widely, the supply of mussels will strengthen New Zealand’s manufacturing and processing industries and exports.
Growing opportunities in Golden Bay
We are committed to sustainably and responsibly growing the supply of mussels from marine farming activities in Golden Bay.
In 1999 we teamed up with others to develop a 1000 hectare marine farm. It was a long journey taking 20 years for the resource consent to be approved in late 2019. The real journey has only just begun with the development of this farm over the years ahead.
In addition to the benefits for us and our partners, local iwi benefit by receiving 200 hectares of the application through the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement Claim Act.
Furthermore, the Golden Bay community direct benefit with the partners assigning 160 hectares of the resource to the Golden Bay
Community Trust which we co-established. The purpose of the trust is for education, protection of the environment, public health, provision of recreational facilities, culture, heritage and arts in the Golden Bay community.
In addition to the income flows to the charitable trust, the farming activities will positively contribute to Golden Bay’s sustainable growth and provide more local jobs. More widely, the supply of mussels will strengthen New Zealand’s manufacturing and processing industries and exports.
Latest News
50th Birthday
From Gold to Platinum: Our Journey in Environmental Stewardship
Contributions to Industry
Work with us
We’re good to our people because they’re good to us. If you’d like to join our team, fill in our job application form and we’ll be in touch.
