Divesting Tea Gardens Signals Change in Strategy for Lipton

by

by

Comments (1)

Comment Feed

A poisoned chalice?

Perhaps Browns will find the acquisition of Finlay's and Lipton's Kenya plantations the ultimate poisoned chalice. These tea lands have been plagued by labor and human rights issues for decades - mechanized harvesting displacement of workers, an outstanding H&S court case against Finlays, sexual abuse issues, and ancestral land ownership claims. Yet Browns are committed by the terms of sale to solve all these problems that the MNCs could not (would not?) solve. And the kicker is that Lipton agrees to buy the huge quality tea that Browns will grow - and doubtless, the small print says - 'but only if Browns do successfully sort out the HR mess that has landed in their lap'.
This passing-the-buck deal certainly seems to be a superb, if unethical, way out for trouble for Finlays and Lipton. As it now makes Sri Lanka based Browns the largest single global producer of tea it most definitely has a hint of being a vanity project - let's hope for the sale of East African tea workers that Browns can successfully unloose the Gordian knot.

Nigel Melican 172 days ago

More News and Features

Coffee Regions in Vietnam Soaked by Heavy Rain as Harvest Starts | Bloomberg


Wiltshire Tea Company Set to Brew Up £10m Turnover | The Business Desk


Innovative Packaging Materials for Sustainability | Packaging Gateway


Xpress Harder Iced Tea | Beverage Industry


New England Coffee Replaces Plastic Coffee Pods with New Innovation | The Manual


More News Tips

The STiR Coffee and Tea Newsletter is sent two times each month with news updates, important information, and upcoming events.