WE'VE GOT
THE SOLUTION

Stephanie Trachtenberg offers a glimpse
behind the scenes at Finlays Solutions

The Big Idea:

Launched in 2025, Finlays Solutions is a forward-thinking, customer-centric partner in the beverage industry, blending centuries of expertise in tea, coffee, and botanicals with cutting-edge innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainability. By prioritizing collaboration, quality, and meaningful innovation, it is partnering with customers to co-create market-ready products that align with evolving consumer demands and global market dynamics.

WE'VE GOT THE SOLUTION

That first sip — the rush of refreshment, the spark of energy, the shared smile between friends — these are the joyful moments that make life richer. Finlays Solutions is empowering customers to make these moments of joy possible. But what sets Finlays Solutions apart? What’s the secret sauce behind our steady rise as a leader in beverage innovation?

At Finlays Solutions, we believe the answer is simple, yet profound: a customer-first mindset, unmatched expertise, and a passion for creating what’s next. As the beverage world evolves faster than ever, we’re not just keeping up — we’re helping shape the future. We’re lifting the curtain to reveal the magic behind the scenes — showcasing how Finlays Solutions is redefining beverage partnerships and setting a new benchmark for collaboration and innovation.

Rooted in Tradition, Driven by Innovation

Finlays’ journey began 275 years ago. From our origins as a tea-trading company, we evolved into a global leader in natural beverage ingredients. With deep expertise in tea and coffee — and now botanicals — Finlays Solutions blends decades of knowledge with forward-thinking innovation to meet the demands of today’s market. But heritage alone doesn’t drive results. We pride ourselves on being agile, forward-looking, and willing to challenge the status quo.

As Charley Snell, CEO of Finlays Solutions puts it, “We pair deep expertise with modern technology to deliver solutions that last. We listen first, innovate with intent, and focus on creating long-term value—not just following trends."

A Different Kind of Partner

At Finlays Solutions, we don’t see ourselves as a supplier. We see ourselves as an extension of our customers’ teams — their R&D labs, their marketing brainstorms, their innovation hubs. It’s why we live by a simple mantra: “Every exceptional beverage begins with a vision — yours.”

Our customers’ aspirations sit at the center of everything we do. We believe true partnership means co-creation, walking alongside our customers from the spark of an idea to the moment that beverage delights a consumer. It’s about listening — really listening — to what the brand needs, what the market demands, and what consumers crave.

That commitment to collaboration sets the tone for how we work: with transparency, honesty, and integrity. No smoke and mirrors. Just real conversations, practical solutions, and a shared dedication to excellence.

“One thing I discovered about Finlays Solutions when I joined, that I think we need to celebrate more,” says Kathy Timperman, VP of R&D, “is the passion, flexibility, and agility our teams demonstrate in translating the imagination of our customers into delicious, commercially viable products.”

Innovation that Matters

In an industry where innovation is often measured by speed alone, we take a different approach: innovation that is fast AND right.

Allison Cash, Chief Commercial Officer explains, “For us, innovation isn’t just about what’s new — it’s about what’s meaningful. We don’t lead with product, we lead with purpose. We start by deeply understanding our customers — their aspirations, challenges, and what truly motivates their consumers — and then build from there.” Finlays Solutions combines state-of-the-art R&D capabilities with a pulse on consumer trends to ensure that what we create isn’t just new — it’s necessary, meaningful, and market-ready.

Our R&D team — a diverse group of scientists, flavor experts, and technical specialists — is passionate about pushing boundaries. Whether it’s crafting new flavor profiles, enhancing health benefits, or developing sustainable product formats, we thrive on turning challenges into breakthroughs.

But our secret weapon is customer insight. We innovate, not in a vacuum, but in tandem with real-world needs and market realities. It's why our development cycle includes not just trend analysis and bench trials, but also extensive customer feedback loops and testing.

Whether it’s creating a new chai tea blend in record time or refining botanical infusions for the next generation of health-conscious consumers, our innovation process is built to deliver a competitive advantage. “Ultimately our job is to make our customers feel heard, supported, and inspired,” Cash continues. “That’s how we turn great ideas into beverages that don’t just compete, but connect.”

Quality Crafted with Pride

At Finlays Solutions, we believe that quality is non-negotiable. From sourcing raw materials to delivering the final product, every step in our process is carefully designed to ensure consistency, safety, and superior sensory experiences. We offer an expansive portfolio of coffee, tea, and botanical products — each developed with precision and passion. Our end-to-end capabilities mean we control the journey from field to finished good. This allows us to maintain the highest standards and give our customers the confidence that their brand promise is safe in our hands.

And we don't just develop; we optimize. Our R&D and operations teams work closely to streamline formulations for scalability, ensuring that a prototype’s brilliance can be translated into mass production without compromising taste or quality.

“Every day, we see firsthand how powerful it is when our customers feel truly understood,” says Bret Buhler, VP Foodservice. “It’s not just about selling a product — it’s about solving real challenges with speed, agility, and a deep understanding of the U.S. market. We bring insights, not just ingredients. When our partners succeed, we succeed — and that’s what drives us.”

Modern Expertise Meets Market Realities

While we honor our heritage, we are anything but traditional in how we approach today’s challenges. Finlays Solutions has embraced a modern mindset — blending our deep knowledge base with cutting-edge technologies and an openness to new ideas.

This allows us to anticipate emerging trends and proactively develop solutions that position our customers for success.

“Our commitment to truly understanding and anticipating our customers’ needs is a key differentiator in a crowded beverage market,” says Katy Smeathers, Head of Sales, Europe. “It’s our deep focus on the customer experience – from taste to sustainability – that sets us apart. We listen, we innovate, and we deliver and that’s why our customers choose us.”

And we don't chase trends — we help our customers lead them. Whether it's formulating low-sugar beverages without compromising flavor, pioneering with functional botanicals, or improving supply chain sustainability, we’re committed to innovation that moves the needle.

Finlays Solutions combines state-of-the-art R&D capabilities with a pulse on consumer trends to ensure that what we create isn’t just new — it’s necessary, meaningful, and market-ready."

Our scientists are not just creators — they’re also reverse engineers, capable of deconstructing market favorites and reimagining them to be even better, cleaner, and more aligned with modern consumer expectations.

A Global Mindset with Local Impact

With operations spanning the US, Europe, and Asia, we bring a global perspective to every project. But we also recognize that consumers — and markets — are local. Preferences, regulations, and trends can vary dramatically.

Our global footprint, supported by the strength and stability of the Swire family, gives us the agility to deliver localized solutions with global consistency.

This means our customers can rely on us not just to meet today’s needs, but to help them expand into new markets with confidence — armed with the right products, insights, and operational support.

As Raymond Wang, Commercial Manager, Asia explains: “The beverage market in Asia is very dynamic and fast-paced. That’s why clear, agile communication is critical.

We adapt to our customers’ needs and channels for efficient responsiveness. Our commercial team works hand-in-hand with global colleagues in R&D, Applications, Marketing, Insights, and Regulatory, to deliver what customers need – fast and seamlessly.”

Sustainability: The Only Way Forward

We believe that what we create should be good for people and for the planet. Sustainability is not just an initiative at Finlays Solutions — it’s embedded in our strategy.

It’s our deep focus on the customer experience – from taste to sustainability – that sets us apart."

_{We pair deep expertise with modern technology to deliver solutions that last. We listen first, innovate with intent, and focus on creating long-term value - not just following trends".}

^{Charley Snell, CEO Finlays Solutions}

WATCH: Stephanie Trachtenberg offers a glimpse behind the scenes at Finlays Solutions

“Sustainability isn’t a standalone initiative — it’s embedded in the way we design, scale, and lead our global supply chain,” explains Vaughn Ragoonanan, VP Supply Chain. “From ethical sourcing to operational efficiency, every link is intentionally built to align with our customer’s values and our company’s long-term growth. We see responsible supply-chain leadership as fundamental to delivering commercial value, resilience, and impact — for our partners and for the planet.”

From aggressive carbon reduction goals to responsible sourcing and a commitment to building diverse, inclusive teams, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure that we are part of the solution for a better future.

Looking Ahead

The beverage industry is evolving at unprecedented speed — but so are we. As consumer expectations continue to shift toward health, authenticity, and sustainability, Finlays Solutions is uniquely positioned to help brands meet — and exceed — those expectations.

We know that today’s consumers care deep-ly about the brands they support. Partner-ing with Finlays Solutions means aligning with a supply chain and an innovation engine that values responsibility as highly as profitability.

The beverage industry is evolving at unprecedented speed — but so are we."

We are passionate about helping our customers turn big ideas into market-lead-ing products. We are invested in being more than a solutions provider — we are your partner, your collaborator, your advocate. And while the market will always change, our promise won’t:

“Every exceptional beverage begins with a vision — yours.”

So, whatever your vision is — healthier beverages, cleaner labels, new flavor frontiers — we’ve got the solution.

Stephanie Trachtenberg

Senior Manger, Brand and Communications, Finlays Solutions