Universal Commodities (Tea) Trading (UCTT), a leading tea importer in North America, announced that it has agreed to join ECOM Agroindustrial Corp Ltd, a leading global soft commodities company. The transaction represents an important milestone in UCTT’s long-term succession planning, positioning it for continued growth while preserving the trusted relationships, entrepreneurial spirit, and values that have defined the business for more than 36 years.

The company is also pleased to announce that Robin Lavooij, a highly respected tea industry executive with more than 27 years of international experience in commodity trading and supply chain management, will join the leadership team alongside founder Domenick Ciaccia and vice president (trading), Jem McDowall.

Upon completion of the transaction, Domenick Ciaccia and Robin Lavooij will serve as co-chairs of UCTT. Ciaccia will continue as president, while Lavooij will assume the role of executive vice president, helping to lead the company’s next phase of growth.

“After 36 years of building UCTT, I am confident that ECOM is the right partner to lead the company into the future,” said Domenick Ciaccia. “Throughout this process, I have been impressed by ECOM’s commitment to our people, customers and suppliers, and the values that have made UCTT successful. I am also excited to welcome someone of Robins’s experience and talent to the UCTT family. I look forward to supporting the next chapter of UCTT’s growth.”

The transaction is expected to close shortly, subject to customary closing conditions. UCTT’s day-to-day operations, customer and supplier relationships, and longstanding commitment to service, quality, and partnership will continue without interruption. Brown Brothers Harriman facilitated the relationship between UCTT and ECOM.

“We take this opportunity to thank our customers, suppliers, service providers, and employees for the trust they have placed in UCTT over the past 36 years and look forward to building an even stronger future together,” shared Ciaccia.