LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.
White Coffee Corporation of Long Island, N.Y. has acquired Bencheley Teas from First Colony Coffee & Tea Company. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
The sale grants White exclusive rights to market Bencheley® branded teas to wholesalers, retailers and consumers nationwide. White Coffee acquired the exclusive rights to First Colony's coffee brands in August 2011.
Bencheley® varieties range from Bencheley® "French Vanilla" and "Cherry Almond" to more traditional blends like Bencheley® "English Breakfast" and "Earl Grey" teas. Bencheley® Teas are known by the distinctive coat of arms featuring a "B" on the label and are currently offered as loose leaf teas as well as individual tea bags sold in tins at outlets on-line and in supermarkets, club stores, mass merchandisers, department stores and specialty stores across the country.
"Bencheley has a loyal following and an excellent reputation in the specialty tea industry," says Jonathan White, Executive Vice President of White Coffee Corporation. He described Bencheley “as a really broad line with packaged items, loose leaf and while we distribute many other brands, we haven’t had our own tea.”
White has focused on offering quality coffee. "We are confident that this is a perfect fit with our other specialty offerings. Bencheley Teas allow our customers to diversify product lines for their consumers and help them grow their profits," says White.
Originally founded as the James G. Gill Company, First Colony Coffee & Tea Company has roasted and blended coffees and teas since 1902. Primarily a regional coffee and tea company offering products in the Southeast region, the "First Colony" name was adopted to reflect the company's Commonwealth of Virginia history and the commitment to premium teas and coffees.
White Coffee Corporation is a third-generation family-owned coffee importing and roasting business in operation since 1939. Its offerings include specialty single origins, certified organics, fair trade and Rainforest Alliance coffees. White Coffee offers extensive customized packaging options along with thorough quality control and food safety processes. Its licensed brands include Kahlua®, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory®, Entenmann's® and Junior's®.