PANGKALPINANG – Herbal beverages are increasingly popular among people from all walks of life, making them a promising business opportunity.
One of PT Timah Tbk’s foster partners in the herbal beverage industry is Ratnaningrum Hajariyah, commonly known as Arum.
Her journey in the health drink business began in 2018 when her husband’s lemongrass harvest was abundant. From a simple experiment, Arum processed the lemongrass into a healthy drink and distributed it to small shops around her home. Unexpectedly, her homemade drink was well received in the market, eventually growing into a brand called Arum Wedang.
Over time, she expanded her distribution to various locations, including warung nasi uduk (traditional rice stalls), markets, and souvenir shops in Pangkalpinang.
That same year, Arum received support from the Pangkalpinang Department of Industry and Trade, which helped improve her product packaging and marketing strategies. However, her business experienced significant growth after becoming a foster partner of PT Timah.
"Three years after focusing on Arum Wedang, I decided to join PT Timah’s foster program because a friend of mine, who was already a partner, had achieved great success. After joining, my business grew, orders increased, and I was invited to participate in bazaars and exhibitions," she said.
As a PT Timah foster partner, Arum not only received marketing support but also gained opportunities to promote her products to a wider market.
Additionally, Arum Wedang became known as a refreshing health drink with various flavors, including Lemongrass, Key Lime, Ginger, and Wedang Uwuh (a traditional Javanese herbal drink).
Interestingly, the highest sales for Arum Wedang occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During that time, people became more aware of the importance of consuming nutritious food and beverages rich in vitamins. Demand for Arum Wedang skyrocketed because our products contain natural ingredients beneficial for immunity," she added.
Moving forward, Arum Wedang will continue to focus on its existing products while conducting regular evaluations and improvements.
Arum hopes that PT Timah will continue supporting and assisting MSMEs in Pangkalpinang and the Bangka Belitung Islands to ensure sustainable growth. (*)
