WELCOME TO THE NEW EDITION OF 1750
A message from James Woodrow
For those of you who don’t know me, I am the new Group Managing Director of Finlays, joining the business in September 2022. This is my first edition of 1750 magazine and I’m delighted to share with you all some fantastic insight into the major trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities that are shaping our industry.
Looking back over the last year, the beverages industry has continued to emerge from the shadow of COVID, but we – like many industries – are continuing to face major challenges. In China, COVID restrictions that lasted until December 2022 posed major disruption, particularly in food service. The cost of living crisis is affecting consumers globally, and our industry as a result. And we are all of course grappling with what may be the defining issue of our time – climate change.
Despite all of this, there are plentiful reasons to be cheerful. Our industry is as dynamic and ripe for innovation as ever, driven by consumers’ unquenchable thirst for innovation. And of course, within the challenges mentioned above, there lies opportunity for businesses that are brave.
The last 12 months have been a major year of change for Finlays. In addition to me joining the business, we’re nearing the completion of our cold brew coffee facility in the UK, and are making some significant improvements to our IT capabilities in the US. And of course, we have found a new strategic investor in James Finlay Kenya. JFK is a fantastic business that we know will go from strength to strength under its new owner, Browns Investments, which specialises in sustainably growing plantation businesses. It’s very much a case of “so long but not goodbye” as JFK will play an intrinsic role as a key supplier of tea to our customers, and to our Kenyan tea extracts facility Saosa.
Looking to the future, we now have a strong blend of businesses across tea, coffee and extracts, and some exciting plans in the pipeline which I discuss in more detail later in this issue. Ultimately, we are focused on delivering for our customers around the world, helping to drive forward this great industry of ours.
Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all our customers, partners and team members around the world. Our success is only thanks to you.
I hope you enjoy this edition of 1750 – and as ever, if you have any feedback, please do share it with our editor Thom.Walton@Finlays.net
James Woodrow
Group Managing Director
1750 magazine is published annually byJames Finlay LimitedSwire House59 Buckingham GateLondon SW1E 6AJUnited Kingdom
Creative Director: Giulio MazzariniArt Director: Rosie DavenportGem Creative Design
Cover: 3D artwork by Ricardo Rey
All contents © James Finlay Limited 2023
Finlays is part of The Swire Group
