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Alafia says it will restart production in Tumwater, pledges local jobs and fair‑trade sourcing
Summary
Alafia vice president Andrew Reid told the Tumwater City Council Dec. 16 that the company will restart U.S. production in a leased 10,000‑square‑foot facility near the airport, initially rolling out about four SKUs and promising local hiring and fair‑trade pay for West African shea‑nut collectors.
Alafia — a brand long associated with Tumwater — told the City Council on Dec. 16 that it plans to resume local production and bring manufacturing back to the community.
Andrew Reid, the company’s vice president of operations, said Alafia moved production offshore in 2021–22 after new equity investors opted to contract manufacturing abroad. Reid said the company regained board control earlier this year and is now reversing that decision, planning operations in a 10,000‑square‑foot leased facility near the airport with an initial lineup of about four product SKUs.
Why Tumwater? Reid said the company is returning because of the local support network and prior roots in the community. He described the firm’s supply chain — sourced primarily from Ghana, with some inputs from Togo and Burkina Faso — and said Alafia operates a supply side branded Black Buffalo International for West Africa sourcing.
On jobs and pay, Reid said the firm expects to promote internally and hire experienced local workers from its prior workforce. He also said Alafia pays those who collect shea nuts above prevailing local market rates in West Africa: “we are paying… 15 to 30% higher than the market rates for what they’re making,” he said. The company also described investments in community projects there, including wells and maternal‑health partnerships.
Council members asked about public tours and local hiring; Reid said tours will be offered once the facility is operational and machines arrive. The presentation included an invitation to the council and local partners to visit the site as production ramps up.
The council did not take any formal action on Alafia’s presentation; the item was presented as part of a series to highlight local businesses.
