Presenter's Material
Importer Panel Overview
During this session, Vic Ferretti provided an overview of the key points discussed during the Marketing Panel meeting which took place on Wednesday, October 5th. The primary objectives of the Marketing Panel meeting were to review the services that Tea Importers provide to the industry in the rapidly changing and more complex world of tea procurement. Also, to consider other services that they could/should be providing to their customers to increase the value of the services provided. And finally, to consider proposals from outside organizations to help better manage the costs associated with importing tea in times of increased regulatory requirements.
Vic Ferretti has been in the tea business since 1958. He started his career as a QC Technician with Standard Brands Inc. and eventually rose to Department Supervisor for Package and Tea Bags manufacturing. After ten years, he left Standard Brands Inc. and joined the British-owned trading company, Dodwell & Co. Ltd. Vic started as Sales Manager and eventually became the Assistant Manager. Subsequently, another British Trading Co., INCHCAPE PLC, purchased Dodwell. In 1977 Inchcape decided to close their New York operation. Vic and his superior Ken Ikeda then formed Kentea Limited. In 1997, Vic along with Nick Salza purchased the controlling interest in Kentea Limited.