Menu
24/06/2008
Boston Tea Party Revisted
A local tea packing company, east Belfast's Punjana, has broken into the US tea market having agreed two major listings.
One is with Tree of Life, a nationwide distributor with a turnover in excess of $430 million, and the second with Boston-based Stop and Shop, a major retailer on the eastern seaboard with 300 stores.
This represents a substantial breakthrough for Punjana Tea, which already counts the UK's leading retailers among its customers.
The move is against a backdrop of earlier news that one of Northern Ireland's top teas - Nambarrie - is no longer being packed in central Belfast.
In April it emerged that while sales and distribution will continue locally and the Nambarrie brand will be retained, as many as 43 jobs were lost with the closure of the Nambarrie factory.
While Nambarrie has been in Belfast for more than 100 years, the decision to consider closure was made by its parent firm, R Twining and Company. It said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing global competition.
In counterpoint, the current Punjana success followed a successful Invest Northern Ireland-sponsored trade mission to Boston and New York in March, which was designed to develop business in new markets for Northern Ireland companies with export potential.
Punjana is the market leader by volume in Northern Ireland, and has been blending quality teas from selected gardens in Assam and Kenya since 1896, and remains a respected family-owned and managed business.
A recently launched Punjana Fairtrade blend has also been listed by all major multiples both within the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Around 40% of Punjana's business now comes from customers outside of Northern Ireland.
Ross Thompson, a third-generation co-owner of Punjana Ltd, said: "The listing with Tree of Life and Stop and Shop gives us a solid foothold in this important marketplace and it has enabled us to approach other retailers in North America with decisions pending by a number of other potential customers.
"We are immensely encouraged by the interest in our quality blends and the company’s heritage. We’ve found customers to be fascinated by the company’s story and impressed by the provenance of all our teas," he added.
"Interestingly," he contionued, "we have had an extremely encouraging response from US retailers to the Punjana Fairtrade and Decaffeinated varieties, alongside excellent reviews for the Punjana Irish Breakfast tea due to be launched in the US in July 2008."
Invest NI's Trade Director, Alan Hingston, commenting on Punjana's new business, said: "These important listings for Punjana's products demonstrate the potential that the US offers for many types of Northern Ireland companies across a very broad range of business sectors, including established consumer goods."
See: Tea Time Over For Nambarrie
(BMcC)
One is with Tree of Life, a nationwide distributor with a turnover in excess of $430 million, and the second with Boston-based Stop and Shop, a major retailer on the eastern seaboard with 300 stores.
This represents a substantial breakthrough for Punjana Tea, which already counts the UK's leading retailers among its customers.
The move is against a backdrop of earlier news that one of Northern Ireland's top teas - Nambarrie - is no longer being packed in central Belfast.
In April it emerged that while sales and distribution will continue locally and the Nambarrie brand will be retained, as many as 43 jobs were lost with the closure of the Nambarrie factory.
While Nambarrie has been in Belfast for more than 100 years, the decision to consider closure was made by its parent firm, R Twining and Company. It said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing global competition.
In counterpoint, the current Punjana success followed a successful Invest Northern Ireland-sponsored trade mission to Boston and New York in March, which was designed to develop business in new markets for Northern Ireland companies with export potential.
Punjana is the market leader by volume in Northern Ireland, and has been blending quality teas from selected gardens in Assam and Kenya since 1896, and remains a respected family-owned and managed business.
A recently launched Punjana Fairtrade blend has also been listed by all major multiples both within the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Around 40% of Punjana's business now comes from customers outside of Northern Ireland.
Ross Thompson, a third-generation co-owner of Punjana Ltd, said: "The listing with Tree of Life and Stop and Shop gives us a solid foothold in this important marketplace and it has enabled us to approach other retailers in North America with decisions pending by a number of other potential customers.
"We are immensely encouraged by the interest in our quality blends and the company’s heritage. We’ve found customers to be fascinated by the company’s story and impressed by the provenance of all our teas," he added.
"Interestingly," he contionued, "we have had an extremely encouraging response from US retailers to the Punjana Fairtrade and Decaffeinated varieties, alongside excellent reviews for the Punjana Irish Breakfast tea due to be launched in the US in July 2008."
Invest NI's Trade Director, Alan Hingston, commenting on Punjana's new business, said: "These important listings for Punjana's products demonstrate the potential that the US offers for many types of Northern Ireland companies across a very broad range of business sectors, including established consumer goods."
See: Tea Time Over For Nambarrie
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 April 2022
Ulster Weavers' See Significant Demand For Commemorative Tea Towel
Ulster Weavers' have seen significant demand for a commemorative linen tea towel produced to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II accession to the throne. A vast collection of memorabilia and merchandise has been produced to mark the occasion and Ulster Weavers commemorative linen tea towel has significantly exceeded demand.
Ulster Weavers' See Significant Demand For Commemorative Tea Towel
Ulster Weavers' have seen significant demand for a commemorative linen tea towel produced to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II accession to the throne. A vast collection of memorabilia and merchandise has been produced to mark the occasion and Ulster Weavers commemorative linen tea towel has significantly exceeded demand.
20 January 2006
Punjana bag £2.5m packaging investment
Punjana, which was founded by the Thompson family in 1896, is launching new innovative packaging for their product range as part of a £2.5 million investment in state-of-the-art machinery with support from Invest NI.
Punjana bag £2.5m packaging investment
Punjana, which was founded by the Thompson family in 1896, is launching new innovative packaging for their product range as part of a £2.5 million investment in state-of-the-art machinery with support from Invest NI.
26 June 2008
Suki Tea's Deal At Deanes
Belfast restaurateurs are set to satisfy the most discerning of tastes with the inclusion of a speciality locally blended tea on their menus. Belfast-based Suki Tea, an artisan tea and infusions importer and blender, is now on offer at some of the city's best known outlets.
Suki Tea's Deal At Deanes
Belfast restaurateurs are set to satisfy the most discerning of tastes with the inclusion of a speciality locally blended tea on their menus. Belfast-based Suki Tea, an artisan tea and infusions importer and blender, is now on offer at some of the city's best known outlets.
13 November 2007
Tea Time Success
A specialist artisan tea and infusions blender based in Belfast has won an important contract from Espresso Warehouse in Glasgow, a leading distributor of ‘coffee bar supplies’.
Tea Time Success
A specialist artisan tea and infusions blender based in Belfast has won an important contract from Espresso Warehouse in Glasgow, a leading distributor of ‘coffee bar supplies’.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
