A family business, two continents.
Twenty years ago, Irene Waithithu Waithaka opened the doors to New Century Imports in Overland Park, Kansas — with a simple promise to source the groceries her community missed from home. Two decades on, we're still doing exactly that, only from a much bigger pantry.
Founded · 2005, Overland Park, Kansas
Proprietor · Irene Waithithu Waithaka
Procurement · Eng. David Mburu Waithaka, Kenya
Marketing · Yasmin Mugure, Nairobi
What we do
New Century Imports Inc. (NCI) sources, imports and distributes high-quality grocery, specialty and ethnic fast-moving consumer goods from Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Europe — into the North American market. We serve a diverse and growing customer base through our retail storefront (Global Market) and wholesale partners across Kansas and beyond.
Vision
To be the leading gateway for African and global FMCG brands entering the North American market — through efficient, reliable and culturally inclusive distribution systems.
Mission
To connect global manufacturers with U.S. consumers by offering trustworthy importation services, strong supply-chain compliance, and dependable distribution networks that support product visibility and long-term market growth.
Operations
- Product importation (air freight, sea freight LCL & FCL, consolidated cargo, third-party agents)
- Inventory management and last-mile distribution
- Customs clearance support & documentation
- Packaging and labeling coordination
- FDA, USDA and U.S. customs compliance
Categories we import
- Processed foods and grains
- Beverages — tea, coffee, juices, malt drinks
- Spices, herbs and seasonings
- Packaged consumer goods
- Specialty cultural foods
Key suppliers
We work directly with reputable global manufacturers including Spice World Ltd., Abdiker Wholesalers Ltd., Ketepa Tea, Dormans Coffee, Unga Ltd., Weetabix Ltd, and Royco — among others.