Our history
Founded by Michael and Patrica Kailis in 1960, innovation and long term relationships have been the foundation of everything we do. From innovative processing equipment in the 1960’s to increase yield on lobster tails to becoming the major producer of live Tropical Lobster from Australia MG Kailis prides itself as an industry leader. Behind this has always been the trusted and loyal relationships with our suppliers and buyers on which our success is founded.
1960
Company founded building a lobster factory in Dongara Western Australia for Western Rock Lobster
1980
First live lobster production of Western Rock Lobster to Japan from MG Kailis’ Dongara processing facility.
1990
Live lobster markets expanded to inlcude Taiwan, Hong Kong
1994
MG Kailis buys a freezer and seafood processing facility in Cairns.
1996
MG Kailis commences trials of live Ornatus Lobster from its Cairns facility. From this small beginning MG Kailis drove the future transformation and growth of the Australian tropical rock lobster industry.
1998
MG Kailis acquires a larger facility at its current location in Cairns and expands its live lobster production.
2000
MG Kailis starts to acquire lobster fishing licenses on the Queensland East Coast and in the Torres Straits to secure its lobster supply into the future.
2012
MG Kailis acquires the fishing operations of Barrier Reef Live Crays to become an integrated catching and processing business operating its own fishing fleet.
2017
Purchase of Pearl Island Seafoods business on Thursday Island and expansion of holding tanks there to help support our Torres Strait logistics
2024
Purchase of Cape Grafton mothership vessel and 10 additional dive boats to support logistics from Torres Strait and provide additional fishing options
TODAY
MG Kailis is the largest tropical rock lobster producer in Australia handling 80% of total production, secured by long term relationships, licenses, quota and its own fishing operations as a fully integrated business.