STICKING TO YOUR BRAND
Illinois-based Decal Solutions Unlimited has developed a Rub On Transfers line that can help small coffee and tea companies put logos, slogans and other branding onto a variety of products. The dishwasher-safe, heavy-metal-free transfers work well on ceramic, glass and acrylic mugs as well as water bottles, coffee makers, dispensing machines and display canisters. Rub-on transfers are applied just like pressure-sensitive stickers, but the clear lining can be removed, giving the appearance of direct printing. See an application video at the company's Web site. 847/590-5405. internationaldecalcorp.com
FIT TO PRINT The patriarch of tea packer Royal Tea of Kenya, 112-year-old Arthur W'Njuguna Komo, recently received a big slice of publicity when he was visited by staff members of several U.K. media outlets. The journalists talked to the tea farmer about his life journey and Kenya's tea history for upcoming feature stories. Komo's granddaughter Joy W'Njuguna recently established the Royal Tea of Kenya com- pany to import and distribute Kenyan tea in the United States. 877/785-8327. royalteaofkenya.com
SAME MACHINES, NEW MARKET
Espresso machine manufacturer La Marzocco last month opened its first dis- tributor branch in Seoul, South Korea, a signal of that country's continued rise in the worldwide specialty coffee community. La Marzocco Korea will celebrate its grand opening on April 26 with an event at the Korea branch office. La Marzocco sales director Lorenzo Carboni will be president of the company's Korea operations, and Mira Song becomes Korea branch manager. lamarzocco.com
COOKIE COUNTERPARTS Napa, Calif.-based Botanical Bakery has developed a beverage pair- ing sheet for its line of tea cookies, which come in a variety of flavors including cinnamon basil, lemon thyme and peppermint cacao. Each flavor has a tea, coffee and wine counterpart to help give consumers a "refreshing pairing experience." The company's Ginger Squared product, for instance, is recommended beside oolong tea, Guatemalan coffee or a Cambria pinot noir. The shortbread cookies are made with organic herbs and spices. 707/344-8103. botanicalbakery.com
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