TURIN, Italy – Lavazza Group announces its acquisition of 100% of the business of Blue Pod Coffee Co., an Australian company specializing in the distribution of Lavazza espresso systems (capsules and machines) for the Office Coffee Service (OCS) sector.
For over 10 years, Blue Pod has been Lavazza Group’s exclusive distributor in Australia in the OCS sector, offering a comprehensive range of machines that satisfy the specific needs of workplace coffee areas.
The operation is perfectly aligned with the Group’s international expansion strategy and confirms the increasing importance of Australia as key market, establishing a direct presence in all home and out-of-home coffee market segments.
Lavazza has had a presence in Australia for over 30 years and the brand is recognised as a symbol of the quality of Italian coffee.
Since 2015, the Group has been operating at local level through associated company Lavazza Australia Pty Ltd, based in Melbourne, and with this acquisition it further consolidates its direct presence in the Country.
“This operation pursues Group expansion at international level, so continuing to drive solid growth and value creation. The acquisition of Blue Pod is particularly significant because it gives us a direct presence across all coffee consumption occasions in Australia too,” comments Antonio Baravalle, Lavazza Group CEO.
Lavazza, in line with the recent acquisitions of Carte Noire and ESP in France, Merrild in Denmark, Kicking Horse Coffee in Canada and Nims in Italia, intends to promote the value of Blue Pod, sharing expertise and values with the company, while continuing to maintain its independence and autonomy. In this sense, and with a view to further strengthening governance at the Australian company, Silvio Zaccareo, formerly APAC Business Unit Director & Lavazza Australia Managing Director, has been appointed Sole Director of Blue Pod.
“The acquisition of Blue Pod demonstrates the strategic importance of Australia, which is one of the key countries identified for the Group’s international expansion and development. This operation represents a significant opportunity for Lavazza to grow in the country, in the work place coffee segment too, leveraging the current expansion of the Australian market together with the local population’s strong awareness of quality coffee,” comments Silvio Zaccareo, Blue Pod Sole Director.
Lavazza invests in consumer awareness and engagement in Australia through marketing activities, including sponsorships of the Australian Open and the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. The Group has two Training Centers in Australia (in Sydney and Melbourne), which form part of a network of over 55 centers worldwide dedicated to providing training about coffee and product innovation.
