Iran’s $3.7 Billion Tea Embezzlers | Shipping Shock: Missle Threat Diverts Suez-bound Tea Cargo | Malawi Anticipates Steep Decline

HEAR THE HEADLINES – Iran Tea Company CEO Implicated in $3.7 Billion Embezzlement Scandal | Shipping Shock: Missile Threat Diverts Suez-Bound Tea Cargo | Malawi Anticipates a Steep Decline in Tea Production

| GUEST – Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO, R.C. Bigelow Tea

| FEATURED – In 2023, the tea industry bid farewell to several notable figures. In this episode, we pay tribute to David C. Bigelow, Jr., an industry icon who died in June at 96. A member of the silent generation born in the roaring 20s, David was a World War II veteran and 1948 Yale University graduate who transformed the specialty tea segment. He steered a boutique tea blending business launched in his mother’s kitchen into a multi-million-dollar mass-market brand. Joining us today is David’s daughter Cindi, President and CEO of Connecticut-based and family-owned R.C. Bigelow, a $250 million B-Corp known for innovations that redefined tea service in restaurants and grew the company to become the US market leader in specialty tea.

David C. Bigelow: Innovative Specialty Tea Pioneer – David C. Bigelow managed R.C. Bigelow Tea for 45 years beginning in 1960. Like many of the 55 million members of the Silent Generation, he was hardworking and humble. Survivors of the Great Depression and the horrors of war – these men and women were careful with their money, patriotic, and ambitious. The generation displayed characteristics of thrift, simplicity, patience, and a need for financial security and comfort. Cindi Bigelow is the third generation to lead Bigelow Tea, founded in 1945 by her grandmother, Ruth C. Bigelow. During her years as chief executive, sales have increased from $94 million in 2005 to more than $250 million. Bigelow Tea produces more than one hundred million unit boxes of tea annually and employs 450 people. She shares with listeners how her father and family expanded the specialty tea segment into the mass market grocery aisles "where he built an entire shelf presence" and then moved us into foil wrappers in food service. "We are the first in single-serve foil and pioneers in the away-from-home marketplace," she said.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy