James Finlays (Blantyre) Ltd

- Originated in Glasgow in 1750 as a trader and manufacturer of cotton.
- The company established direct trading links with India in 1816 and China in 1817.
- During the second half of the 19th century, representatives were sent to India to plant tea.
- From this point, the company started to play a leading role in the development of the global tea industry.
- During the 1920s, the company expanded its tea business into Africa, establishing estates and production facilities that continue to form a major part of our business today.
- The company pioneered instant Tea research, development and production in the 1960s when the industry was still in its infancy.