Miss any of our past Exhibitor Spotlights? Catch up here!
We're highlighting exhibitors as we get closer to the 2025 World Tea Expo, returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 24-26.
This week, we speak with Alkbous Industrial Trading and Investment Co., which was founded in 1938 in Yemen by Haj Mohammed Hassan Al-Kbous. The company has built a reputation for producing high-quality tea with a commitment to excellence and tradition. Over the decades, it has expanded its operations across the Middle East and North Africa. The company's focus has always been on creating authentic blends that honor its rich heritage while incorporating innovative techniques to meet modern consumer preferences.
Who is the CEO of Alkbous Industrial Trading and Investment LLC (USA)?
The CEO of Alkbous Industrial Trading and Investment LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Alkbous Tea, is Hasan Mohammed Alkboss. As the driving force behind the company’s U.S. expansion, he brings decades of leadership and expertise to spearhead operations, ensuring the brand’s legacy of excellence thrives in the American market.
Why did you decide to establish a branch in the United States?
Alkbous Tea: The United States offers a dynamic and growing market for specialty tea, with consumers increasingly seeking premium and unique blends. Expanding to the U.S. allows us to introduce our time-honored traditions to a diverse audience while tapping into the growing demand for wellness and organic tea products. The U.S. is also a hub for innovation and market trends, making it the ideal place to showcase our products and build meaningful connections with consumers, retailers, and partners.
Our U.S. subsidiary, Alkbous Industrial Trading and Investment LLC, is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We aim to become a leading importer and distributor of premium tea products, catering to both retail and direct-to-consumer markets. By introducing our unique blends and expanding into wholesale and e-commerce platforms, we plan to make Alkbous a household name in the U.S., just as it is in the Middle East. We also plan to establish a manufacturing facility in Dearborn, Michigan, to locally produce and package our products, ensuring freshness and supporting the local economy.
Our upcoming facility in Dearborn will play a crucial role in scaling our operations and ensuring consistent quality for our U.S. customers. By producing and packaging teas locally, we can streamline supply chains, reduce costs, and enhance freshness. The facility will also allow us to adapt quickly to market demands, develop new products, and support local job creation, further embedding Alkbous in the U.S. market.
What makes Alkbous products unique compared to other tea brands in the U.S. market?
Our products stand out due to their authenticity, quality, and heritage. Each blend is crafted with care, using the finest tea leaves sourced directly from trusted plantations. We bring a unique Middle Eastern touch to the U.S. market, offering traditional blends alongside innovative herbal infusions tailored to modern tastes. Additionally, we prioritize ethical sourcing and sustainability while offering a wide range of products, from classic black and green teas to innovative herbal infusions. This combination of tradition, quality, and innovation ensures that every cup of Alkbous tea reflects our values and commitment to excellence.
What is your vision for Alkbous Tea in the U.S. market over the next five years?
Our vision is to establish Alkbous as a trusted and beloved tea brand in the U.S. by introducing our premium teas to households, cafes, and wellness centers nationwide. We plan to expand through strategic partnerships, e-commerce platforms, and wholesale channels while building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Michigan. Over the next five years, we aim to become a leader in the U.S. specialty tea market, combining our heritage with a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
How does Alkbous Tea honor its heritage while catering to modern consumers?
We honor our heritage by staying true to our original recipes and sourcing practices, ensuring every cup delivers the authentic flavors that have defined our brand for generations. At the same time, we innovate by introducing wellness-focused teas, convenient formats like tea bags, and exotic flavor combinations to cater to modern consumer preferences. This balance between tradition and innovation is at the core of what makes Alkbous unique.
How does Alkbous Tea address consumer demand for sustainability and ethical practices?
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are central to our brand values. We work directly with trusted plantations and local farmers to ensure fair trade practices while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our packaging materials are designed to minimize environmental impact, and we invest in sustainable supply chain practices to protect the communities and ecosystems where our teas are grown.
At Alkbous, we believe in creating meaningful partnerships with local farmers and suppliers. Our sourcing practices ensure fair wages and ethical treatment of workers, supporting the communities where our teas are grown. In the U.S., we aim to collaborate with small retailers, cafes, and wellness centers, offering them unique, high-quality products that help differentiate their businesses. This dual focus on global and local impact reflects our commitment to making a positive difference.
What are the key challenges you see for the tea industry in 2025, and how can Alkbous help overcome them?
One of the main challenges in the tea industry is meeting the growing demand for transparency, sustainability, and innovation. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that are ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and tailored to specific health benefits. Alkbous addresses these challenges by adhering to sustainable sourcing practices, offering fair trade-certified products, and creating blends that cater to wellness trends like detox teas and herbal infusions. Additionally, our strong heritage allows us to connect with consumers seeking authenticity in a competitive market.
What trends are you seeing in the U.S. tea market, and how does Alkbous align with them?
We are seeing a significant shift towards premium teas, herbal infusions, and wellness-focused products in the U.S. market. Consumers are also exploring unique, international flavors and blends that offer a sense of cultural connection. Alkbous is perfectly positioned to meet these trends, offering high-quality, health-conscious teas that honor our heritage while appealing to modern tastes. Our focus on sustainable and ethical practices also resonates with the values of today’s consumers.
What do you hope to gain from the World Tea Expo?
The World Tea Expo is a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with industry leaders, retailers, and tea enthusiasts. We hope to showcase our unique products, build partnerships with distributors and retailers, and gain valuable insights into market trends. The Expo also allows us to share our story and establish Alkbous as a trusted brand in the U.S. tea market.
What products will you be showcasing at the Expo?
We will be showcasing a range of products, including our premium loose-leaf teas, convenient tea bags, specialty herbal blends, and curated gift sets. Each product reflects our commitment to quality and authenticity, providing an unmatched tea experience for our customers. Additionally, we’ll highlight some of our new offerings tailored specifically for the U.S. market, such as wellness-focused teas and innovative flavor profiles.
What do you hope attendees at the World Tea Expo will learn about Alkbous Tea?
We hope attendees will walk away with a deep appreciation for our brand’s heritage, commitment to quality, and passion for innovation. The World Tea Expo is a unique opportunity to share our story, connect with potential partners, and showcase the distinctive flavors and blends that make Alkbous Tea special. We also aim to demonstrate how our products align with the needs of modern consumers and the trends shaping the tea industry.
For more information, reach out to Alkbous Tea at:
Alkbous Industrial Trading and Investment LLC
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr
Suite L-4000
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 844-ALKBOUS /844-255-2687
Plan to Attend or Participate in World Tea Expo, March 24-26, 2025
To learn about other key developments, trends, issues, hot topics and products within the global tea community, plan to attend World Tea Expo, March 24-26, 2025 in Las Vegas, co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo. Visit WorldTeaExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at World Tea Expo, or to inquire about advertising and sponsorship opportunities at World Tea News, contact:
Ellainy Karaboitis-Christopoulos, Business Development Manager, Questex
Phone: +1-212-895-8493; Email: [email protected]
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