Innovation

Grosche has multiple innovations on the go. From selling coffee and tea products made from recycled materials to planning global initiatives for safer water consumption, the company is the epitome of sustainability and social responsibility. Grosche’s products are top of the line accessories for any tea, coffee or water consumer that likes to pay it forward (literally): “Each sale of a GROSCHE product funds our Safe Water Project and provides 50+ days of safe drinking water to communities in need.” Grosche products range from water bottles to tea infusers and fair trade coffee beans.

The Safe Water Project is a global initiative carried out by the many volunteers and employees at Grosche that implements clean water filtration systems in small communities in need around the world. So far they have provided almost 50 million days worth of safe water to the communities they helped. Not only is the certified B corporation doing good around the world, they are making sure their own are getting paid living wage (over $16/hr) instead of the low minimum wage in Ontario. Four times a year, they close their stores and volunteer around local communities and take part in raising funds for food banks and charities. Grosche has been part of Trees for the Future (planted 5,000 trees in Haiti), Habitat for Humanity, and Sudanese Banana Plantation Co-op.

Inspiration

The original idea for Grosche was conceptualized in 2006 in the Ansari family’s laundry room. The founders of Grosche, Helmi & Mehreen Ansari, wanted to build Grosche with sustainability ingrained in the roots of the company from the get-go. The couple started out selling packed tea, and tea pots door to door. These sales contributed to social projects that they were passionate about.

The safe water project is Grosche’s largest philanthropic campaign. It is motivated from some very alarming statistics. Approximately 3.4 million people die each year from waterborne illness. It is difficult for social entrepreneurs such as Helmi and Mehreen to do nothing about this cause. Tracy couldn’t stress enough how selfless the founders of Grosche are, saying, “[Helmi & Mehreen] always been passionate about doing good.” Helmi, in particular, has corporate experience in sustainable operations that has proven to be invaluable. Tracy mentioned that, “...he was a director of sustainability for Pepsico.” Helmi has proved that sustainability and business are inseparable from his perspective. “It’s his passion.. it’s always been instilled in his motives.”

Overall impact

The innovations that Grosche have created have been quite successful for the business. Their various products for coffee, tea, and water have been able to provide a steady profit since 2006, increasing year to year. The business thrives on the fact that they create and sell great, sustainable products in order to make a difference in society and in the environment.

The innovation has had a great impact not only around the Wellington area, in Cambridge and Guelph, but in many struggling communities around the world. The Safe Water project has been used to help provide filters for drinking water in many places such as South Sudan and India. On top of providing them with water, they have taught community members how to install the filters and provided them with work for economical benefits. Within the Wellington community, Groshe is also a living wage employer which means they focus on paying their employees a wage that incorporates what someone in their region would need to live a comfortable lifestyle. The Living Wage for Families Campaign believes this can help entire communities with “investment in the long-term prosperity of the economy”.

On top of all Grosche is doing for the business and society, they have not forgotten about the environment. Tracy explained Grosche has “two French presses that are made of recycled materials” and went on to explain that all of “the packaging and the components are made of recycled material which makes it the most eco-friendly French press in the world”. On top of that, Tracy told us about how “Grosche is constantly doing things to try and reduce their carbon footprint”. Tracy began by telling us how they are “Carbon Fund Certified... and how we volunteer in the community.” As well, Grosche tries to maintain minimal packaging in stores and have “implemented a recycling and composting program in our building” all of which are contributing to its -188 Tons of net Carbon footprint in 2016 where most is coming from transportation.

The short term effects of their innovation includes their ability to provide consumers with access to high quality, eco-friendly products but the long term effects are astounding. There is already lots of evidence to suggest the difference their innovation is making. Grosche has been able to make a difference in many communities and has already provided almost 50 million days of safe water and is consistently increasing profits year to year. As well, the long term effects of their negative carbon footprint will help to reduce greenhouse gases. From 2014 to 1016, they have decreased their footprint by over 173 tons.

Business benefit

The innovative products Grosche have created have been the fundamental revenue for the company. They had made a profit to sustain themselves through their wholesale channels and their own retail location. Although their price points are relatively similar to other brands, their eco-friendly and quality products have been able to differentiate themselves giving them a competitive advantage and a better value for money.

Social and environmental benefit

Societal benefits evolved from the innovation in their ability to create a responsible brand which invests in their own community. They have developed a business which contributes to economic prosperity in Southwestern Ontario by employing people on a livable wage and stirring innovation. Their products have also contributed environmental benefits through their ability to make great products, such as French presses from recycled material and reusable coffee filters, and run their business in a way that focuses on reducing their carbon footprint.

Interview

Tracy Ferguson, Customer Relations and Social Media Specialist