Clipper Teas facts for kids
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| Industry | Fairtrade Tea |
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| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Lorraine and Mike Brehme |
| Headquarters | Beaminster, Dorset, United Kingdom |
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Area served
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International |
| Products | Tea, organic tea, hot chocolate, coffee |
| Owner | Royal Wessanen |
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Number of employees
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90 (2012) |
Clipper is a British Fairtrade tea company. It is based in Beaminster, Dorset, and was started in 1984. In 1994, Clipper was one of the first companies in the UK to get the Fairtrade Mark. This mark shows that a product meets fair standards for workers and the environment. In 2012, Clipper was bought by a company called Royal Wessanen.
Contents
A Short History of Clipper Tea
Clipper Tea was started in 1984 by a couple named Lorraine and Mike Brehme. They had worked in the tea business before. They wanted to create a tea company that made sure workers were treated fairly. They were concerned about unfair working conditions in the tea trade.
Starting Small in Dorset
Lorraine and Mike began their company in their kitchen in Dorset, England. They bought two chests of Assam tea for about £50. They then sold this tea to local health food shops. Their goal was to always offer "a pure, natural product." This meant no artificial ingredients in any of their teas.
Changes and Growth
Later, Lorraine and Mike sold the company. In 2007, it was sold to Fleming Family & Partners. In 2008, a creative agency helped Clipper get a new look. They designed new packaging and created the slogan "Natural, fair & delicious."
In 2012, the business was sold again to Royal Wessanen. Clipper is now the UK's sixth biggest tea brand. They sell their products in over 50 countries around the world. About 20% of their sales come from exports to other countries. This growth has helped Clipper invest in their factory in Beaminster.
Clipper makes about 95 different kinds of tea. They produce up to two million tea bags every day!
Why "Cupper Tea" in Some Countries?
In some countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic, the brand is called Cupper Tea. This is because another tea brand had already registered the name "Clipper" there.
Clipper's Ethical Approach
Clipper was founded to be a more ethical choice for tea lovers. They strongly support Fairtrade and organic tea.
Working with Fairtrade
Clipper became involved with the Fairtrade Foundation very early on. They helped develop the rules for Fairtrade products. Clipper makes sure that all their tea is bought from farms where workers are treated well. They ensure there is no unfair treatment of workers.
In 1994, Clipper was one of the first three companies in the UK to get the Fairtrade mark. They even created a magazine called The Teapot Times. This magazine shared the history of tea production. It also showed how buying Fairtrade goods helps communities worldwide. Clipper also became official advisors to the Fairtrade Foundation for tea.
