Metropolitan Tea grew from a single vision: to provide an unparalleled tea experience.
World-renowned Tea Master Gerry Vandergrift founded the company in the basement of his Toronto home after learning the trade from a premier tea company. Since then, the rest is history.
From day one, the goal of The Metropolitan Tea Company has been to offer wholesale customers unparalleled access to the world of luxury teas and accessories.
Through continual evolution, listening to consumers, and working with their partners, their mission is to be a leading global authority on tea and tea trends.
The Ethics Behind The Metropolitan Tea Company
As an agricultural product, the quality of finished tea is dependent on the conditions in which it was grown. Their search for the best of these has taken
The folks of The Metropolitan Tea Company have learned – great teas are not produced by a workforce under duress.
Because of this, they only buy from the top 10% of global producers – with flawless ethical track records. Across the board, they only deal with partners and suppliers who adhere to the following:
- Stewardship of the environment
- Sustainable farming and manufacturing processes
- Social equity for workers
- Commitment to education for worker’s families
- Commitment that everyone in the supply chain benefits
- An ethical, compliant and food safe business ethos
By supporting ethical producers, they can do their part to move the global tea market toward a more sustainable future.
The Team Behind The Metropolitan Tea Company
There are 14 employees who make up The Metropolitan Tea Company --
Tea Masters
GERRY VANDERGRIFT: Tea Master Level 5 -- Gerry got his start in tea by answering a job ad that read, “Do you have an MBA and a thirst for adventure?” After striking out on his own, this thirst has grown Metropolitan into one of the world’s premier wholesalers of luxury teas and accessories.
Kathryn Duncan: Tea Master Level 3 -- A key member of the team since 1992, Kathryn’s voyages have infused her with a deep knowledge of the tea trade. Blending-expert, Master Taster and tea aficionado, Kathryn is a trusted customer resource with a wide-ranging global outlook.
To meet the rest of the team, click here.
As a company that was founded by one person, they have grown with a true entrepreneurial spirit.
Each of their employees is empowered to make decisions that propel the company forward. This spirit guides the company and influences the way they interact with, and guide their customers to success.
- Supporting entrepreneurial customers
- Treating customers as partners
- Encouraging collaboration
- Delivering quality
- Never resting on their laurels
- Working smart with urgency
Finally
To learn more about the Metropolitan Tea Company, be sure and visit their website. You can also follow along with them on Facebook to keep up with all their tea blends they will be creating over the year.
To see which teas we are featuring this month from Metropolitan Tea, be sure and visit this post.
