MILAN, Italy — Today in Milan illycaffè and JAB, through its JDE platform, have announced a trademark licensing agreement for the production and distribution of illy branded aluminum capsules.
JDE will produce the new capsule to meet the illycaffè standard of excellence, and will make them available on the global market in the first half of 2019.
Massimiliano Pogliani, CEO of illycaffè said:
”This agreement reflects our mission: delight quality of life lovers all over the world with the greatest coffee nature can provide, enhanced by sustainable practices & technologies and the beauty of the arts.
We found in JAB the right partner for this new business. Making the illy-experience more and more accessible to consumers globally is fundamental for our strategy and it is the reason why we decided to enter such a broad market standard through a licensing agreement.
The quality leader and the market leader are putting together their excellences for the benefit of the customer, who is the focus of this project. Millions of coffee lovers will be able to greatly benefit from their freedom of choice. And this is very exciting”.
Fabien Simon, CFO of JDE (speaking on behalf of JAB and JDE) said:
“We are very pleased and honored to form this strategic partnership with illy, a global leader in the premium coffee space, to expand its coffee experience into a new segment globally. Through the JDE platform, JAB has a rich history of more than 265 years of coffee expertise across a variety of technologies, with leadership positions in key coffee markets around the world in modern and traditional trade. Through this trademark licensing agreement for the production and distribution of illy-branded aluminum capsules, we are committed to deliver the quality consistent with the world reference illy in-cup experience”.
JDE will be producing and distributing the new capsule internationally in the Retail trade (Modern Trade and traditional).
In order to maximize synergies with illy omni-channel presence, illycaffè will be in charge of distribution in Italy and in all the other sales channels.
About illycaffè
Illycaffè is an Italian family business, founded in Trieste in 1933 and committed to offering great coffee to the world. illy produces the unique illy 100% Arabica blend made of 9 of the world ‘s best selections of Arabica; each day more than 7 million cups are served in over 140 countries in the finest cafés, restaurants, hotels and in offices and homes.
illy has become the standard forerunner of espresso, and thanks to three critical innovations, is considered a leader in the science and technology of coffee.
With the bestowing of the first “Ernesto Illy Award for quality espresso coffee” in 1991 in Brazil, illy also pioneered direct sourcing, sharing know-how and paying a premium price for the best quality, based on partnerships underwritten by the principles of sustainable development.
The company also founded the University of Coffee with the aim of fostering and spreading its culture, providing comprehensive academic and hands-on training for coffee growers, baristas and coffee lovers in order to cover every aspect of the product.
According to the company “Everything ‘made in illy’ is enhanced by beauty & art, which represent founding values of the brand, starting from its logo – designed by an artist, James Rosenquist – and including the renowned illy Art Collection, comprised of over 100 cups designed by international artists”.
Key figures
In 2017 the company was employing 1,290 people, and posted consolidated revenues of €467 million. There are approximately 244 stores and mono-brand illy shops in 43 countries.
About JAB Holding
JAB Holding Company and JAB Consumer Fund invest in companies with premium brands, attractive growth and strong margin dynamics in the Consumer Goods category. Both JAB Holding Company and JAB Consumer Fund are overseen by its three Senior Partners: Peter Harf, Bart Becht (Chairman) and Olivier Goudet (CEO).
Together, JAB Holding Company and JAB Consumer Fund have controlling stakes in KDP (Keurig Dr Pepper), a challenger & leader in the North-American beverage market, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), the largest pure-play FMCG coffee company in the world, Panera Bread, a leading bakery-cafe company, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a premier specialty coffee and tea company, Caribou Coffee Company, a specialty retailer of high-quality premium coffee products, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., the leader in the North-American Bagel Category, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, a global leader in doughnuts and other premium-quality sweet treats, and in Espresso House, the largest branded coffee shop chain in Scandinavia.
JAB Holding Company is also the largest shareholder in Coty Inc., a global leader in beauty, and owns a controlling stake in luxury goods company Bally as well as a minority stake in Reckitt Benckiser PLC, a global leader in health, hygiene and home products. For more information, please visit the company’s website at: http://www.jabholco.com.
