Indian tea producer Luxmi Group has taken a majority stake in the company behind Brew Tea Co – and has vowed to help the Manchester business to grow globally.
Phil and Aideen Kirby founded their business, now the Whole Leaf Tea Company, in 2012 to sell loose leaf tea and tea bags. Today Brew Tea sells directly to consumers, with a subscription service reaching nearly 10,000 homes across the 海角视频, and also sells through online retailers including Amazon, Waitrose and Ocado,
Brew Tea products are also sold at hospitality premises, hotels, and leisure and transport hubs – while the company also sells teapots, gifts, hampers, and tea-related merchandise.
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Luxmi acquired an 80% shareholding in the Whole Leaf Tea Company after a sale process led by Nathan Leah, associate director at KBS Corporate. Co-founders Phil and Aideen retain the remaining 20% and will continue to manage Brew Tea, with Luxmi saying: “Their vision, hands-on leadership and deep focus on quality remain central to Brew Tea's growing success”.
Luxmi, based in Kolkata, was founded in 1912 and today has 25 estates that together produce 30 million kg of tea a year. It has expanded its plantations to Rwanda and also owns the Makaibari Darjeeling brand.
Rudra Chatterjee, Luxmi’s managing director, said: “By way of this partnership, Luxmi and Brew Tea Co shall create a rare and complete farm-to-cup model.
“As India celebrates its bicentenary of tea, grown first in Assam, we are honoured to help bring the traditional craft that made Indian tea world famous back into global focus.”
Phil and Aideen Kirby said: “Sourcing directly from estates that share our values – with care for people, land and craftsmanship – is what makes our tea taste as good as it does. This partnership allows us to strengthen those relationships at the source.
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“We’ve always believed that if you start with great leaves and the right partners, you don’t need to interfere too much.
“What matters most to us is the experience in people’s kitchens every single day. We are excited that with Luxmi, we can now take that same customer promise even further, with even better access to exceptional teas.”
KBS Corporate’s Nathan Leah, who worked with K3 Law on the deal, said: “I’m delighted to have supported the shareholders of Brew Tea Company through their transaction. “Luxmi Group is an outstanding acquirer with a rich history in this sector, and strong international links and scope.
“We are all very confident the business will continue to progressively develop and grow, with the shareholders’ continued involvement.”