Company
History
Since 1819, our company has been a market leader in tea
1819
In 1819, an enterprising young Dutchman, Jan van Rees, started a tea company in the Netherlands.
By the mid 1800’s, the Van Rees Company had established a network of regular customers in Holland and Germany. Salesmen were employed to sell and distribute tea by horse and cart, then later by bicycle. The development of the company in the first 100 years of its existence amply shows the renowned Dutch qualities of hard work, the ability to trade and to create opportunities for business.
1819
Orders then booked were a minimum of 5 kg in total and could be delivered in 100 gr, 250 gr etc.
1945
The Building of our network
Holland was in urgent need of foreign exchange after WO II in 1945 and the Dutch central bank stimulated exports by granting a worthwhile premium for goods which fetched US Dollars. This way Van Rees was sponsored by the Dutch authorities to re-export tea in increasing quantities to $-buyers, mainly in the USA, which laid the foundation of blending in Holland.
1950
The building of our network
The need to service packers for shipment from not only Rotterdam but also directly from the growing origins became increasingly apparent in the 1950’s. In addition to Rotterdam, Van Rees established presence in Indonesia and London during the 50’s.
Tea tasting trough time
Tea is a product that appeals to many people’s senses. Before a tea leaf finds its way into people’s homes, a long traject precedes. The journey begins with the pluckers on the fields. After a long journey, in branded packages, it ends up in the hands of tea lovers. Tasting and grading are two important activities done by producers, traders and final buyers alike. Each market prefers flavour, aroma, strength, colour, leaf structure and many other characteristics. These also determine the value of a tea. To traders it is therefore essential that they get a good taste and feel of the product they sell.
2019
200-year-old Van Rees Group henceforth “Royal”
Van Rees Group BV, one of the largest independent tea traders in the world, was awarded the accreditation “Royal” by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. The festive anniversary celebration was inaugurated on 5 July 2019 at the roof top of Blaak 16, by the King’s Commissioner in The province of Zuid-Holland Mr Jaap Smit, in the presence of the Mayor of Rotterdam Mr Ahmed Aboutaleb, well wishes and business partners from all over the world.
The predicate was handed over to Rajith De Mel, Managing Director of Van Rees Group by the Kings Commissioner.
Sole ownership of Acomo N.V
In the mid 1960’s, Van Rees became part of the NV Deli Maatschappij Group and remained in their ownership until mid-2010, when the company was acquired into the sole ownership of Acomo N.V.
Skilled and knowledge-able people
For over 200 years, Van Rees has remained a leader in the tea world. Not only as a tea specialist, but as a supply chain manager and operational partner. Our offices around the world have the expertise about the products as well as the knowledge about the international and local standards that allows us to explore innovative ideas with our partners and to support them with solutions when needed.
Van Rees: Royalty in tea
