AHMAD TEA
Tea production at the Ras Al Khaimah facility
Worldwide export of carefully crafted tea blends
Every journey has a humble beginning, and so did the journey of Ahmad Tea in Ras Al Khaimah. A simple cup of tea for most people usually involves a trip to the supermarket, a scoop of tea leaves, and a sprinkle of sugar. But behind this daily ritual lies a complex and fascinating process that culminates in the delivery of that perfect blend.
Established in 2012, Ahmad Tea’s largest and most advanced facility in Ras Al Khaimah was born from the strategic decision to position the company at a halfway point between its tea suppliers in India and Sri Lanka and its tea drinkers around the globe. This journey from plantation to cup, though intricate, has been seamlessly facilitated by the company’s robust infrastructure and the undying support of local authorities.
Saleh Afshar, the Director of Operations at Ahmad Tea, commends the local entities and RAKEZ for their steadfast support since the inception of the facility. “As an investor, we are very happy the way we've been welcomed by the local authorities. We're lucky enough to be able to just focus on our daily business. We don't really have to worry about anything else and that’s a big plus,” said Afshar.
“We’re very happy the way we've been welcomed by the local authorities. We're lucky enough to be able to just focus on our daily business. We don't really have to worry about anything else and that’s a big plus... These days having that operational efficiency is a game-changer.”
Fast forward to the present day, the Al Hamra factory, with its 250 dedicated staff members, produces an astounding 22 million tea bags daily, exporting this labour of love to over 80 countries worldwide. The carefully calibrated production line, from the receipt of raw tea at Saqr Port to the meticulous blending and packaging, is a testament to Ahmad Tea’s unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
“We’re blending a hundred tons a day of tea across our 30 production lines, where we’re packing both tea bags and loose tea. Customers are always asking for new blends and we’re in a position to fulfil that because our packaging lines are flexible enough to adapt to new requirements,” says Afshar.
With a quality assurance team that tastes each type of tea up to 25 times, Ahmad Tea ensures that only the finest and most consistent blends reach its consumers. As Afshar proudly states, “These days having that operational efficiency is a game-changer.”
As Ahmad Tea looks towards the future, it does so with the anticipation of continuing its remarkable journey in Ras Al Khaimah and further expanding its reach to tea lovers worldwide. The facility is poised for increasing its export volumes gradually through the conveniently situated Saqr Port, offering an even more impressive level of operational efficiency.
“We’re in a good place and, we hope it continues,” Afshar asserts with an air of hope and certainty. And so, as you stand in the supermarket aisle, reaching out for your favourite Ahmad Tea blend, take a moment to appreciate the meticulous journey of that tea from a distant plantation to your cup, perfectly facilitated by a company whose devotion to tea is as deep as your love for it.