TEA AND COFFEE

62 Tea & Coffee Trade Journal | www.teaandcoffee.net company news New England Coffee Launches Single Serve Coffee Cups Malden, Mass. – New England Coffee, the largest independent coffee roaster in New England, has introduced a new line of single-serve coffee cups. Made with 100 percent Arabica coffee and designed for use in popular single-cup coffee makers, New England Single Serve Coffee Cups are available in four popular vari Pure Intentions Coffee Becomes Organic Certified charlotte, n.c. – Pure Intentions Coffee, founded in 2011 and now serv- ing over 60 retail loca- tions, recently completed its USDA Organic Certification, making it the only Fair Trade Organic Certified coffee roaster in Charlotte, N.C. The local roaster has been preparing for over a year and a half for the organic inspection and certification. The annual certification includes a process audit and inspection of supply chain and distri- bution documentation to ensure organ- ic integrity is maintained. The organ- ic certification also furthers the Pure Intentions vision of collaboration and quality growth by allowing the brand to partner with other USDA Certified Organic organizations. "My goal with this certification is that everyone who picks up a bag of Pure Intentions Coffee in Charlotte has confi- dence that they are receiving coffee that was locally crafted with care and attention to sustainability and quality," said Pure Intentions owner Matt Yarmey. Visit www.pureintentionscoffee.com to locate coffee retailers and shop online. Monster Beverage Corporation to Acquire American Fruits & Flavors corona, calif. – Monster Beverage Corp. has entered into a definitive agree- ment to acquire flavor supplier and long- time business partner, American Fruits & Flavors (AFF), Los Angeles, Calif. The transaction brings Monster's pri- mary flavor supplier in-house, securing the intellectual property of Monster's most important flavors in perpetuity and further enhancing its flavor development and global flavor footprint capabilities. Pursuant to the terms of the transac- tion, Monster will purchase AFF for USD $690 million. Upon closing the transac- tion, Monster will acquire approximately USD $87 million of adjusted operating income for the twelve months ending December 31, 2015. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, is subject to customary closing conditions. "It is important to acknowledge this transaction represents much more than the acquisition of AFF," said Fred Farago, founder and president of AFF. "We view [this] as the integration of two companies that have enjoyed a tremendously sym- biotic relationship over many years. We look forward to joining the highly respect- ed and experienced Monster team to help the company further enhance its position as a global leader in the industry." Marley Coffee Expands Into Milestones Restaurants denver, colo. – Marley Coffee, a sus- tainably grown, ethically farmed and arti- san-roasted premium coffee company, is growing its international presence with its expansion into Canadian upscale restau- rant Milestones. Marley Coffee will now be available in over 50 Milestones loca- tions throughout Canada. Committed to fresh ingredients and cutting-edge innovation, Milestones' core values align with Marley's roots of sourc- ing only the highest-quality ingredients to create premium coffees, while also pro- tecting the envi- ronment. M i l e s t o n e s ' guests will be able to experience Marley Coffee's Lively Up! espresso roast for drip coffee and espresso-based beverages and Simmer Down, a Swiss Water Process Decaf. These offerings are all certified USDA Organic and Blue Ribbon Kosher certified. "Restaurants are increasingly respond- ing to the consumer demand for great-tast- ing, high-quality coffee, and we are proud to offer Marley Coffee for Milestones guests," said Rohan Marley, chairman and founder of Marley Coffee. First Container Service to West Africa From Port of Houston houston, texas – The first regular direct container/ro-ro service between Houston and West Africa was launched in mid-February by Grimaldi Lines at the Port of Houston Authority's Barbours Cut Container Terminal. The Grimaldi West Africa Service Direct, which also is the only direct con- tainer service from the Gulf of Mexico to West Africa, will have a fleet of six identical ships and will call Barbours Cut every 11 days, according to the company. The service deploys multipur- pose ro-ro container vessels capable of carrying containers as well as autos and other rolling stock. Service to a range of 15 ports in West Africa will be offered, the company said. The Port Authority is pleased that Grimaldi is expanding into Houston, said chief commercial officer Ricky Kunz. "Having an established carrier like Grimaldi expanding operations into Houston is an extremely positive develop- ment," Kunz said. "Businesses will appre- ciate having direct service across our docks to and from West Africa." Established in 1947, Grimaldi is a fully integrated multinational logistics group specializing in the maritime trans- port of cars, rolling cargo, containers and passengers. The Grimaldi Group has expanded in recent years and its fleet now is comprised of more than 100 vessels. The company's international management team is based at the group's headquarters in Naples, Italy, as well as subsidiary companies and branches in more than 25 countries. Good Folks Coffee Debuts louisville, ky. – Louisville coffee roast- er Matt Argo has launched Good Folks Coffee Company with a line of whole- bean offerings created in his Shelby Park roastery. The craft outlet focuses on farmer relations to source ethically-traded coffees to roast in-house. Products, including sin- gle-origins, blends and espresso varieties, are now available at select grocery stores and cafés as well as online at www.good- folkscoffee.com. Argo plans to expand availability in shops and cafés throughout the South and Midwest in 2016. "Your day is only as good as your coffee," said Argo. "Whether it's select- company news

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