Browns Investments acquires James Finlay Kenya

KENYA—Browns Investments PLC has successfully completed the acquisition of James Finlay Kenya, a prominent player in the Kenyan tea industry, according to a local daily, Kilimo News.

The announcement of this sale was made in May 2023, with Finlays choosing Browns Investments PLC as the approved buyer.

This decision was based on Browns’ strong legacy of guiding tea estates to sustained growth and its commitment to doing so in a sustainable manner, while also prioritizing the well-being of its workforce and local communities.

James Finlay Kenya, is known for its role as a leading grower, manufacturer, and supplier of Kenyan tea, possessing a self-contained area of 10,300 hectares.

 This area includes 5,200 hectares of tea fields spread across nine tea estates.

Notably, the Saosa tea extraction facility will remain under Finlays’ ownership, rebranded as ‘Finlays Extracts, Kenya.’ The transaction encompasses all of James Finlay Kenya Ltd.

As part of the selling agreement, Browns and Finlays have expressed gratitude to the local community for its longstanding support.

They have committed to offering 15% of James Finlay Kenya shares for public sale through the Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

Browns Investments PLC sees its initial investment in the Kenyan tea sector as an exciting opportunity for growth.

James Finlay Kenya will undergo a rebranding process and be known as ‘Browns Plantations Kenya’ in the future.

Meanwhile, Finlays has affirmed its ongoing commitment to Kenya, retaining ownership of Saosa, a tea extracts factory, and James Finlay Mombasa, its tea sourcing and packing enterprise specializing in Kenyan tea.

Saosa, under Finlays’ ownership, continues its production of tea extracts and aromas.

Kamantha Amarasekera, CEO of Browns Investments PLC, expressed delight in welcoming the members of the James Finlay Kenya community into the Browns family.

He emphasized the incredible potential for growth that Finlays brings, not only benefiting the local community but also contributing to the overall Kenyan economy.

James Woodrow, Group Managing Director of Finlays, for his part, emphasized the close partnership between ‘Browns Plantations Kenya’ and Finlays’ ongoing investment in Kenya through both Saosa and James Finlay Mombasa.

Furthermore, he emphasized that 15% of the shares in James Finlay Kenya will be owned by members of the local community.

Browns Investments PLC, headquartered in Colombo, has a rich history of operating plantations, including Maturata Plantations, Hapugastenne Plantations PLC, and Udapussellawa Plantations PLC.

As one of the major tea-growing firms in Sri Lanka, Browns manages 49 estates covering over 30,000 hectares and employing more than 10,000 people.