BIRMINGHAM, Ala.,U.S. Royal Cup, Inc., a leading importer, roaster and distributor of premium and specialty coffees and teas, is pleased to announce that Marc Schonland, an international coffee and quality specialist, has been appointed vice president of coffee strategy & innovation.
“Marc brings more than 25 years of global coffee sourcing experience to Royal Cup, further strengthening our industry position and commitment to delivering the highest quality coffee products,” said Bill Smith, CEO at Royal Cup.
“As Royal Cup continues to expand its production and global footprint, Marc’s expertise will prove invaluable to our customers and the future of the company.”
In this role, Schonland is responsible for sourcing and identifying new coffee origins, developing new blends, overseeing Royal Cup’s risk management programs, supporting its sustainability initiatives and achieving greater market insight.
“Marc’s impressive and varied expertise adds a critical new component to our vision for the future of Royal Cup,” said Jim Smith, senior vice president of green coffee. “I look forward to collaborating with him on new growth initiatives as we continue to innovate and expand our green coffee capabilities.”
Schonland joins Royal Cup at an important time in the company’s history. Currently, a $48 million campus expansion project is underway, which includes new and expanded green bean storage and roasting capabilities with substantially increased operational capacity.
“We’re thrilled Marc has joined our experienced and growing executive team,” said Brad Gray, CFO at Royal Cup.
“We are making significant investments for our customers by enhancing and expanding our green bean and roasting capabilities. Marc represents the latest value add for our current and future customers.”
Schonland, a native of South Africa, brings an international perspective to Royal Cup after developing his skill set working as a coffee trader in East Africa and on coffee origin projects in Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.
This experience led to key leadership assignments in coffee procurement, trading, marketing and international logistics in five countries—the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Kenya and South Africa.
“I’m honored to join the third generation of the Smith family and the dedicated team at Royal Cup,” said Schonland. “My mission is to honor the company’s time-honored traditions and values while helping to expand its capabilities and better serve its customers.”
Prior to joining Royal Cup, Schonland served as senior director of commodities at the buying organization for Dunkin’ Donuts, vice president of green coffee at Starbucks and regional coffee manager at Louis Dreyfus Commodities.
