Northern Ireland tea maker Suki Tea said it has doubled its manufacturing capacity following investment in a new £500,000 factory in Lisburn.
The company, which marks 18 years in business this year, said the move has allowed it to bolster its sales and continue to grow in new markets with expansion to 30 countries worldwide. On the back of the latest expansion, it has set a target to grow production by 600% over the next decade and expects to create a number of new jobs
The new factory has also boosted Suki Tea’s green credentials given it is powered by renewable energy generated from solar panels and other sustainable technology designed in collaboration with sustainability and heating experts from Invest NI.
Suki Tea co-founder Annie Irwin sustainability is high up the company’s agenda.
“As a long-term supporter of Fairtrade and a committed Real Living Wage Employer, it’s really important to us as a business that we operate day-to-day in as ethical and sustainable a way as possible,” she said.
The company was founded by Annie and friend Oscar Wooley in Belfast in 2005 and now supplies loose leaf tea to hotels, cafes and delis
“As we celebrate our 18th year in business, this new premises is a fantastic opportunity for Suki to continue to grow,” Oscar Wooley said. “Moving from three business units to one purpose-built factory allows us to make our production processes and logistics more efficient, expand our product offering and create new jobs.”
“Our mission has always been to create a community of loose-leaf tea drinkers across the globe, and we’re pleased that with continued investment into our facilities, our equipment, and our team, we can remain at the forefront of the loose-leaf tea industry in the UK, Ireland and around the world.”
