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About Us | Who we are
Our Story
Established in 1984, CBI’s initial focus was to create critical links between US government-sponsored economic development programs and commercial markets in an effort to create new companies that could succeed as self-sustainable.
CBI was born out of the vision of USAID as a way to promote democracy and economic development in third world nations. USAID enlisted National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) to form Cooperative Business International (CBI) in 1984 to develop cooperative business relationships with developing countries throughout the world.
CBI rapidly developed a successful track record of identifying market opportunities in both developed and emerging countries.
The founding members of CBI believed the cooperative structure was an ideal way to promote democratic values, shared ownership in business, and to better the lives of those who belonged to the cooperative. A cooperative invests in the community in which it lives and operates, thereby strengthening strategic supply chains and improving it’s surrounding community.
In 1994, CBI expanded its focus to trade and broker high quality agricultural products for its own account and dramatic growth ensued. In 1998, CBI further expanded to make equity investments in Indonesia through joint ventures with farmer organizations in the areas of spices and specialty coffees.
Today, CBI is a leading international trade and market development company that offers high quality agricultural products serving the food and beverage, feed, and industrial markets.
CBI established. CBI is created by NCBA and USAID to provide commercial linkages amongst cooperatives around the world.
CBI Indonesia establishes & pioneers technical processes for vanilla processing and sales to the US market. CBI introduces a cooperative form of business to Indonesia.
CBI diversifies its equity composition through major US Cooperative Shareholding in the Company.
The company hires a new management team to focus on Indonesian equity holdings, international trade and market development. PT CBI Indonesia - CBI's Indonesian Holding Company is Incorporated.
CBI establishes joint venture coffee procurement, processing, and export operations in Sulawesi as well as spices from several areas of Indonesia.
Headquarters are moved to Columbus, OH USA. CBI initiates procurement, processing, and marketing of black pepper and coffee from Sumatra.
Procurement, processing, and marketing of spices are also introduced. Joint Venture Spice Procurement, Processing Operation in Central Java occurs.
The company acquires and subsequently rebuilds large capacity spice processing facility in Klaten
The company acquires and subsequently rebuilds large capacity spice processing facility in Lampung.
Procurement, processing, and marketing of Indonesian cloves is commences.
A trading company is founded to facilitate the marketing and financing of coffees and spices.
Select Products & Flavors, a vanilla & spice warehouse, distribution, and packaging facility, is established.
CBI partners with NCBA and the U.S. Government to support recovery of Aceh region after the 2004 tsunami.
CBI is recognized for meeting CAFÉ Practices standards. The company is amongst the first certified Café Practices Operations in Sulawesi and Sumatra.
CBI Coffee Nicaragua expands sourcing to additional Central American countries. Nutmeg and mace are added to our product line.
CBI Coffee Nicaragua acquires a coffee mill in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
GMI is formed to market coffee from East Timor for CCT cooperative. Direct procurement, processing, and marketing of cinnamon is also launched.
CBI Coffee Nicaragua is disbanded due to changing geopolitical climate, rendering foreign investment in Nicaragua untenable.
The company completes spice warehouse expansion, adding a micro-quality lab and on-site value add services.
CBI partners with Starbucks to establish Agronomy Farmer Support Center in North Sumatra.
The company continues phased expansion of Sumatran coffee operation, as well as enhanced processing, packaging and sterilization capabilities at the Klaten facility.
CBI Indonesia undergoes 80% expansion of greenhouse drying capacity for coffee in North Sumatra and South Sulawesi.
CBI ranks 13th in the top 100 sustainable companies index – Corporate Knight’s 2019.
CBI launches robusta coffee procurement, processing and export investment in Lampung, Sumatra
CBI Global Presence
With special attention to our core values, we have evolved to become a global company with a presence in a number of countries and a world wide reach.
- Offices and Operating Units /click to expand
- Destination of our Products and Services
Ohio, USA
Headquarters
Headquarters
Maryland, USA
Spices & Flavors
Marketing and Warehousing
Spices & Flavors
Marketing and Warehousing
Takengon, Central Aceh
Coffee operations
Coffee operations
North Sumatra
Coffee Procurement,
Processing and Export
Coffee Procurement,
Processing and Export
Klaten, Central Java
South East Asia Main Office.
Spice Procurement, Processing,
Export Operations
South East Asia Main Office.
Spice Procurement, Processing,
Export Operations
East Timor
Green coffee
processing facilities
Green coffee
processing facilities
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Green coffee
processing facilities
Green coffee
processing facilities
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Spice Procurement
Operations
Spice Procurement
Operations
West Papua
Spice Procurement and
Processing Operations
Spice Procurement and
Processing Operations
Lampung
Black Pepper, Cinnamon,
and Coffee Procurement,
Processing and Export
Black Pepper, Cinnamon,
and Coffee Procurement,
Processing and Export
CBI Global Presence
With special attention to our core values, we have evolved to become a global company with a presence in a number of countries and a world wide reach.
- Ohio, USA Headquarters
- Maryland, USA Spices & Flavors Marketing and Warehousing
-
Takengon, Central Aceh
Coffee operations -
North Sumatra
Coffee Procurement, Processing and Export -
Lampung
Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Coffee Procurement, Processing and Export -
Klaten, Central Java
South East Asia Main Office.
Spice Procurement, Processing, Export Operations -
East Timor
Green coffee processing facilities -
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Green coffee processing facilities,
Spice Procurement Operations
-
West Papua
Spice Procurement and Processing Operations
- spotlight
We are CBI
Meet the man who helps make Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend possible
Starbucks Coffee Spotlight: East Timor
The Vanilla Connection
