Company History

1991
A new company named after the third (some say, the most beautiful!) month of Spring emerged on the Russian tea market. May was the first company in the post-soviet Russia to supply large amounts of big leaf Ceylon tea. That was the time when local consumers had first heard the very term “big leaf tea.”

1993
Having registered the trademark Maisky Chai (May Tea) the Company made a historical decision to build a major tea brand that would be truly Russian in spirit.

1995
Unrivalled quality of Maisky Chai and carefully planned and executed advertising campaigns could not have passed unnoticed: Maisky became number 1 tea brand in Russia. The first strategic goal being achieved, May Company transcended the country’s border to explore foreign markets.

1996
An extensive survey of local tea market performed by the renowned research firm Comcon revealed that the following three types of tea were most widely known by the people of Russia at the time - Indian, Ceylon and Maisky.

1997
Maisky Chai - a household name for millions of Russians. Determined to meet the needs of not only tea, but also coffee drinkers May Company released Brazil “freeze dried”, Indian instant, and “3 in 1” packet coffee to a great acclaim.

1998
Once again, May Company proved its reputation of being the pioneer of Russian tea industry by opening the first in thó post-soviet Russia tea-processing factory in the City of Fryazino (Moscow region).
In the summer of 1998, May Company was the first in the country to produce ice tea with fruit flavors.
In August 1998 a major economic crisis occurred in Russia seriously undermining buying ability. As a response to it, May Company created the tea brand Lisma that would answer the demands of consumers with modest income. Combining reasonable price with unmatched product quality, very soon Lisma became an unquestionable leader in the respective market category.
A distinguished British magazine Russia Review nominated May Company as “the best Russian business to date.” Roughly at the same time “Maisky Chai” received a prestigious award Narodnaya Marka (Pople's Choice) under the auspices of the national trademarks’ festival “Brend Goda” (Brand of the Year).

2000
Dynamism is the nature of life. So no wonder that, at the turn of the century, research results indicated a distinctive change in the Russian people’s perceptions of tea.

Being a corporation that is famous for attentiveness to customers' needs, May Company made a decision to reconsider its marketing strategy. Instead of promoting the brand “Maisky Chai” as a whole, May Company shifted toward selective brand advertising. Several sub-brands of tea targeted at different audiences were selected: Korona Rossiyskoy Imperii, Zolotye lepestki, Lisma and Cherniy Briliant (Black Diamond). Up till now, Black Diamond is the first blend of authentic Kenyan tea offered on the Russian market.

In February 2000 at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) May Company received prestigious «Emerging Market Leader» diploma an established assembly of the world political and business elite.

2003
Determined to fully answer consumers needs May Company builds a stronger brand team and performs a yet another in-depth market research.

September 2003
May Company repositions leading brands. A massive ad campaign commences nationwide.

November 2003
May Company becomes exclusive distributor of premium English tea Curtis & Patridge in Russia and CIS.

December 2003
May Company launches new sophisticated production facility at the Fryazino Factory.

March 2004
May Company sponsors the International Ñinema Debuts Festival «Spirit of Fire» in Khanty Mansyisk. The festival was attended by world’s cinematography celebrities.

April 2004
May Company becomes the first tea and coffee producer in Russia whose Quality Management System is ISO 9001 accredited by TUV Suddeutschland, a renowned German auditing company.

May 2004
May Tea is nominated Ukraine’s best brand thanks to May Company Kiev’s commitment and professionalism.

September 2004
May Company conquers the coffee market further by becoming official distributor of World Coffee Company SA products in Russia and CIS

October 2004
By the decision of Russian Foundation for Consumer Rights May Ñompany is awarded with a prestigious diploma "For outstanding contribution to building a civilized consumer market in Russia".

November 2004
May Company, Kiev’s May Tea is again the nation’s favorite in Ukraine - the brand becomes winner of “Choice of the Year” contest, in “Tea of Year” nomination.

November 2005
May Tea wins Choice of Year in Ukraine 2nd time

February 2005
May Company products receive Gold medals at a prestigious International Food & Drink Exhibition "Prodexpo"

May 2005
Leading German auditors TUV confirm May Company Quality Management System lives up to ISO 9001:2000 standards

February 2006
May Company products receive a record number of Gold medals (12) at a prestigious International Food & Drink Exhibition "Prodexpo"