MADRID, Spain & LIER, Belgium – Natra, one of Europe’s largest vertically integrated private label and co-manufacturing platforms for chocolate products, and Gudrun, a leader in the development, production, packaging and commercialisation of real Belgian chocolates and truffles, are joining forces to create a highly diversified, leading chocolate platform with a strong focus on premium quality, innovation and sustainability.
The creation of the enlarged Group (“Group”) formed through this strategic and highly complementary combination, will see 100% of Gudrun being acquired by Natra from its current owner Down2Earth Capital in a move which will facilitate the ongoing growth and development of the two businesses.
Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
Headquartered in Lier, Belgium, Gudrun has a history dating back to 1942. The company develops and manufactures high-quality chocolates for a range of international retailers across multiple markets. Equipped with significant in-house R&D capabilities, Gudrun is known for driving innovation and its ability to offer a diverse range of on-trend products, concepts and packaging to its customers. The production kitchen is the beating heart of the company and contributes to the artisanal character of its chocolates. Gudrun operates a manufacturing and storage facility in Lier, Belgium, in addition to a significant packaging and distribution facility in Poland.
A portfolio company of CapVest Partners LLP (“CapVest”), Natra is a leader in the production of chocolate bars, pralines, tablets and spreads, which it sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. Its ingredients division also supplies a wide range of cocoa-based ingredients to the international food industry. The company has over 1,000 employees across six production plants in Spain, Belgium, France and Canada.
Commenting on the transaction, Armando Santacesaria, CEO of Natra, said: “Gudrun is a fantastic business and this highly complementary strategic combination will significantly enhance Natra’s premium Belgian chocolate offering, while also allowing Gudrun to capitalise on Natra’s global reach and deep customer relationships. We look forward to welcoming our new Gudrun colleagues on board once the deal completes and working with them to build on their successes to date to drive further innovation and growth.”
Sofie de Lathouwer, CEO of Gudrun, said: “At Gudrun, we are always focused on the growth of our business and our people. Joining Natra marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gudrun, which will allow us to bring our quality Belgian chocolates to more customers around the world. Natra shares our strong focus on premium quality, innovation and sustainability. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with our new colleagues to expand our presence and positioning as a highly valued partner, developer and manufacturer of Belgian chocolates.”
Completion of the transaction is subject to conditions and it is expected that the transaction will be completed in the coming weeks.
Natra was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher and KPMG. Down2Earth Capital was advised by Squarefield, Monard Law and LDS Advisory.
CHICAGO, USA – Mondelēz International, Inc. has announced that its corporate venture capital arm, SnackFutures Ventures, has taken a minority stake in Urban Legend, a fast-growing, “better-for-you” fresh doughnut and pastry business in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 2021 by scientist and entrepreneur Anthony Fletcher, Urban Legend uses a custom designed and patented air frying technology to reduce sugar, fat and calories by 30 percent to 75 percent compared to traditionally made doughnuts.
All Urban Legend varieties – including those with creamy fillings, icings and frostings – are 200 calories or less.
“Urban Legend is well positioned to disrupt the UK’s fresh bakery category,” said Richie Gray, global head of SnackFutures Ventures.
“We’re excited about the brand’s growth potential, focus on ‘mindful indulgence,’ and opportunity to help Mondelēz International build capability in the fast-growing ‘better-for-you’ fresh bakery space.”
The Urban Legend portfolio currently includes 12 varieties that are sold in nearly 200 stores throughout the UK, located in stand-alone bakery cabinets.
“As a scientist and advocate for well-being, I saw a need and opportunity to tackle innovation in one of the toughest categories, and bring something truly unique to fresh bakery,” said Anthony Fletcher, founder and CEO of Urban Legend.
“Our combination of novel technology and extensive recipe development has enabled us to be the first ones to deliver iconic doughnuts and pastries with less sugar, fat and calories to the South of England. A partner like Mondelēz provides enormous opportunity to scale that possibility throughout Europe and the world.”
Alessandro Garbin, IMF ceo holding the plaque for 30 years of business, awarded by Confindustria Veneto
Est (@coffeeandlucas @myMediastudio)
OCCHIOBELLO (Rovigo) – Entering the IMF plant in Occhiobello, in the province of Rovigo, means getting to know the heart of the Italian company, leader in the sector of roasting machines and coffee roasting plants, and participating in the celebration of its 30th anniversary. It means being part of an entrepreneurial project that is successful and continuously pushing forward.
The celebration that started with a star-studded dinner at the Hotel Ristorante I Portici (1 Star in the Michelin Guide Italy 2024) was an opportunity for everyone, Italians and foreigners alike – some from China, some from London, some from Switzerland, some from Saudi Arabia and Morocco, some from Taiwan and some from Germany – to explore the past, present and future of a sector that continues to be a driving force for made in Italy products.
All the protagonists who have made IMF the successful company it is today were present at the opening of the doors of the production facility
In front row, of course, Alessandro Garbin, partner and CEO (who started his experience at IMF in 2010) accompanied by Roberto Pedini, sales coordinator business development and Dr. Giorgio Maria Mosca, area sales manager of the brand.
IMF: a production that stands the test of time
A detail of IMF roasters (@coffeeandlucas @myMediastudio)
And you can touch it with your own hands as you walk through the production plant, where everything seems ready to go into operation before the eyes of visitors. From the warehouse to the assembly hall, the production chain works under the eyes of the guests up to the point where the models are tested with the coffee.
With more industrial models (RM30, RM60, RM120, RM240 and RM480) and more artisanal ones (RM6 and RM15), the story of this company, which has grown and evolved over the past year, both in terms of turnover and product offerings (around 16 million as of January 2024), unfolds.
A 2024 that promises further developments, with the purchase of new production space, investment in human resources and corporate welfare with the clear objective in mind: to guarantee maximum customer service.
All this thanks to the strengths of the company in the province of Rovigo: state-of-the-art roasting machines, customisation of the equipment, management of the coffee process – in the same production plant, a Coffee Lab where all the senses can be trained and the raw material can be familiarised with – and support during and after sales.
The Coffee Lab at IMF
All made possible by an efficient and professional team of employees who feel they belong to the constantly changing organism that is IMF.
From the production sites to the administrative offices where the percentage of women moves nimbly to support IMF, one breathes participation and involvement, perceived in the voices and testimonies of each member of this company.
Speaking of numbers
During the IMF results presentation (@coffeeandlucas @myMediastudio)
The growth since 1994 was commented on by Roberto Pedini, sales coordinator business development with these words ‘The last ten to twelve years have been the most the company has produced as exponential growth’, defining it as ‘almost an entrepreneurial miracle’.
From2 people employed to 50, from 450 sqm to about 3,500 – which is still not enough, because the prospect is to further expand the space dedicated to production and on which 100 metres of photovoltaic panels have been installed, which today produce 33 kilowatts, a good starting point for moving towards ever greater energy sustainability – from 400 thousand euros in turnover to the 17 million planned for 2024.
From an all-Italian beginning to 60% results abroad, especially in Australia, China and USA
Going into the details of the machine inventory: about 18% of the revenue comes from the sale of small roasters (6-15 kilos), a figure that has seen an interesting development in recent years to the point that a special area has been created just for these models – a sign that the micro roasters are increasing – for a total of 35-40 units per year with the aim of reaching 50-55 shortly.
In these cases, said Vladimiro Boschi, IMF Management Control, the possibility of customising one’s own roaster is an ever increasing demand among customers. And of the classic finishes, colours – one of the most popular customisations – stand out.
A customised IMF model
IMF’s core business remains industrial machines (30-60-120 kilos) averaging 30-35 units per year, including at least 15 models of 240-480 kilos, often complemented by a complete line of silos, with the aim of further growth
And speaking of equipment, this covers about 30% of the results. Completing the picture is the part related to service and technical intervention: the goal, explains Roberto Pedini, is to expand the current percentage to around 12%, because customer services are as fundamental as the supply offer.
An aspect that can already be noticed during a visit to the company, inside the remote service room with 4 employees always available to provide guidance in the face of any problems reported by customers worldwide.
But the efficiency of the company is obviously and in particular through skilful personnel management, which, as Roberto Pedini specified, is ‘not control over the people, but over results’.
The whole team is close-knit and corporate welfare is at the forefront, as testified by the person who comes into contact with us on a daily basis, reinforcing the united spirit, Vladimiro Boschi: with the inclusion of bonuses, the canteen, safe environments and functional workflow.
And finally the part about certifications: from the ISO 9001 quality certification to the one that will be obtained by the end of the year concerning sustainability, 141001, IMF pays attention to all production processes, also having to deal with different markets each with its own export rules.
Technology and development
A department dedicated to the research and development of new solutions is currently doing research, responding more to requests submitted by customers themselves, who are aiming for integrated solutions: Vladimiro Boschi reveals that they are currently studying applications that will follow the development of the bean from the physic and chemical characteristic throughout the entire roasting phase.
IMF roasters roast the coffee by means of hot air, through convection method. They are characterised by an integrated emission abatement system in the machine itself and use only one burner: this guarantees energy savings.
And then there is Vortex, an IMF patent for mixing and complete control of the roasting air, air re-circulation system and management software for the entire roasting cycle.
The emotion of this first milestone achieved with determination and hard work was tangible during the open days – thanks to open hearts: IMF is there, but above all it intends to be there in the long term, proposing its identity in a competitive industry that always poses new challenges.
MILAN, Italy – The new EVA market report, covering data up to the end of 2023, offers the latest insights into the European vending and Office Coffee Service (OCS) industry. In good news for the industry, the new report demonstrates that total product revenue across Europe is now finally back above 2019 pre-pandemic levels, which is testament to the hard work and resilience of machine operators and OCS companies.
Significant price rises in the last few years are understood to have helped achieve this revenue recovery and growth. Overall machine fieldbase across the 24 markets covered in the report show continued growth, but on the other hand consumption, while growing when compared directly to the previous year, is still well down from 2019 levels.
The new edition of the overall European report adds new sector-based data for machines, so not only the percentage of machines placed in workplace locations can be understood, but now a breakdown for the healthcare, leisure and travel sectors are showed for the largest 6 markets..
The EVA would like to thank all the operators, suppliers and industry experts who shared insights and data with us. Without their input we would not be in a position to produce these unique, highly sought-after and reliable reports.
The new EVA market report will be presented for the first time during the EVA Annual General Assembly meeting at Le Forum-EVEX in Cannes on 17 October, and as always is free to access for its members. For non-members, the report is available for purchase by contacting us at vending@vending-europe.eu
Some selected findings
The total number of machines across Europe continues to climb; now at 5 million
Number of vends stands at 5 billion
Total industry revenue is €22.67 billion
Micro-markets now number over 10,000 in Europe, thanks to a 38% increase in one year
Across Europe cashless payment systems are fitted to almost 78% of the pay vend fieldbase
Hot Beverage continues to dominate with 68% share of the machine base
21 of the 24 countries have grown their machine bases in the last year, mainly driven by investment in table top semi automatic machines
GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG – IVS Group informs that Mr. Paolo Caporali and Mr. Maurizio Traglio, members of the board of directors with the status of non- independent directors, communicated their resignation. IVS Group thanks Paolo Caporali and Maurizio Traglio for the valuable contribution during their entire period of stay on the company’s board.
The board decided then to co-opt two new directors, in the persons of Mr. Antonio Baravalle, Lavazza CEO, and Mr. Enrico Cavatorta, Chief Financial & Corporate Officer at Lavazza, qualified as non-independent directors, that will be in charge until the next shareholders General Meeting.
On September, Lavazza received the go-ahead from Consob, the Italian stock market authority, for launching its public offer on Milan-listed vending machines firm Ivs Group ahead of taking the firm private.
About IVS Group
IVS Group S.A. is the Italian leader and the second player in Europe in the business of automatic and semi-automatic vending machines for the supply of hot and cold drinks and snacks (vending).
The vending business is mainly carried out in Italy (around 81% of total sales), France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, with around 280,100 vending machines, a network of 125 branches and around 4,300 employees. IVS Group served more than 15,000 corporate clients and public entities, with more than 990 million vends in 2023.
TRIESTE, Italy – Triestespresso Expo, the fair dedicated to the world of coffee that will start in less than three weeks in Trieste, the capital city of coffee. A rich and stimulating program of conferences, seminars and lessons is focused on the two trend arguments of the moment.
At Triestespresso Expo you could learn more and be updated about new solutions for roasting systems, espresso machine and green packaging presented by many of the exhibitors.
At the Expo, there will be workshops like Training Pills by illycaffè in which will be possible to discover the importance of best practices aimed at improving quality.
Training Pills by illycaffè
Winning Recipes for Your Business: Workshop with Dr. Elisa Caria from illycaffè.
In an ever-evolving sector like coffee, standing out is essential. But how can you increase the average daily revenue while offering a unique experience to customers?
You will ask Dr. Elisa Caria, Senior Training Specialist at the Università del Caffè di illycaffè, who will reveal the power of special preparations.
The introduction of personalized and creative preparations not only enriches the offer but also creates greater perceived value. These premium products attract customers and encourage them to spend more, thus increasing the average revenue.
During the workshop, Dr. Elisa Caria will share strategies on how to use innovative recipes and quality ingredients to boost profits while keeping the passion for coffee at the forefront.
If you are a professional in the horeca sector or in Coffee Chain and want to learn more about how to implement these tactics in your business, don’t miss this appointment!
Discover all the secrets of special preparations to increase your average ticket. Limited availability until spots are filled.
Starbucks announced an expansion of its collaborative coffee innovation network (image provided)
SEATTLE – Starbucks announced an expansion of its collaborative coffee innovation network, further connecting farmers from around the world with resources to protect the future of coffee. Building on the groundbreaking global agronomy innovation at Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm, the company added farms located in Guatemala and Costa Rica with future farm investments in Africa and Asia. The learning on these farms aims to find solutions to increase productivity on farms, support increased profitability for farmers and build climate resilience.
“Starbucks works with more than 450,000 farms that grow the highest quality Arabica coffee in the world,” said Michelle Burns, Starbucks evp of Global Coffee and Sustainability. “Our promise to those farmers and their communities is that we will always work to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all. Our solution is to develop on-farm interventions, share seeds, research and practices across the industry to help farmers mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
Starbucks buys three percent of the world’s coffee, sourcing and roasting only Arabica coffee beans, a variety known for its rich and complex flavors.
Climate change is impacting the availability of high-quality coffee around the world and farming communities are feeling the impact on productivity, crop quality and their livelihoods. Rising temperatures that cause drought, coffee leaf rust disease and other related climate challenges are impacting the availability, quality and taste of coffee as it’s known today.
At Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks is working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The company has created best practices to make growing coffee more profitable; developed the next generation of disease-resistant, quality coffee; and shared it all with farmers around the world. For example, since making the commitment to distribute 100 million coffee trees by 2025, Starbucks has distributed approximately 90 million climate-resistant coffee trees and more than 53 million coffee seedlings to farmers. Additional coffee innovation farms will enable more research in new geographies to better mitigate the threat of climate change.
The new farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala will both study hybrid coffee varieties under different elevations and soil conditions, which is a critical step in the research of new genetic material. The farm in Costa Rica, located next to Hacienda Alsacia, will also be designed to explore the use of mechanization, drones and other technologies to help support labor availability challenges that farmers in Latin America are facing. In Guatemala, one of Starbucks most important origins, the farm in the Antigua Valley will replicate a smallholder farming design with conditions that mirror challenges that many farms face today.
With future farm investments also planned for Africa and Asia, Starbucks will have a coffee innovation network spanning the three main growing regions of the “Coffee Belt” – Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific – and be equipped to study the varied cultures, landscapes and growing methods that all contribute to coffee flavor.
Research on Starbucks innovation farms will be scaled through the company’s coffee innovation network, a multi-pronged approach to ensuring a sustainable future of coffee for all. In addition to innovation farms, the network includes 10 Farmer Support Centers in coffee-growing regions around the world, where world-class agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research and best practices, and 70 “model farms” within Starbucks supply chain, where solutions are put into action. The network’s focus on learning and innovation will continue through the sustainability learning and innovation lab at Hacienda Alsacia, which will break ground in December.
“Through these innovation farms, we will develop solutions that will not only improve coffee productivity and quality but also empower farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a changing world and challenging climate,” said Roberto Vega, Starbucks vice president of Global Coffee Agronomy, R&D and Sustainability. “This work is done on behalf of coffee farmers everywhere with findings that can be applied across other industries and crops that are also impacted by climate change.”
For more information about Starbucks sustainability initiatives and coffee sourcing practices, please click here.
MILAN – Nespresso recently announced the launch of its first ready-to-drink coffee in a can. Available in a limited edition exclusively in the US, Master Origins Colombia RTD is made with high-quality coffee beans and honey also sourced from Colombia.
The new drink can be purchased from this week in Nespresso Boutiques, online and through the Nespresso app.
In an interview with Food & Wine, Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen, the CEO of Nespresso North America, explained that the new rtd beverate “sits at the intersection of functionality and sustainability, as a byproduct of our commitment to regenerative agriculture efforts to protect the future of coffee.”
The idea for this new product was born at the R+D Accelerator in Lausanne, Nestlé’s research and innovation hub, in a bid to help support Nespresso’s goal of moving toward a production chain with more regenerative agriculture.
“While climate change threatens biodiversity and the livelihoods of coffee farmers, Nespresso is committed to ensuring a quality coffee crop can survive in future generations,” the company stated in its press release.
Nespresso is publicly committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, and is working toward net zero emissions by 2050, the release also said. To further show off its commitment to a more sustainable future, the new coffee comes in an aluminum can, which is endlessly recyclable.
AVEIRO, Portugal – Fiamma, Portugal’s oldest espresso machine manufacturer, hosted the World Barista Open 2024, bringing together baristas from around the world for a weekend of intense competition and coffee creativity. In its fourth edition, the event challenged 12 baristas in three unique competitions. In the Coffee Shop Challenge, baristas used the Fiamma Astrolab Multi- boiler to serve customers under pressure.
The PProfile My Coffee competition focused on the art of extraction, where participants crafted perfect pressure profiles on the Fiamma Vela PProfile. The event wrapped up with the fast-paced Duoccino Challenge, where teams raced to prepare cappuccinos on the Fiamma Vela Dual.
Fiamma also unveiled a custom mural by street artist Pedro Podre, celebrating the artistry of baristas.
Barista Emerson Nascimento from Brazil won the competition, followed by Stanley Chien from Taiwan and Sean Lee from Malaysia.
But this exciting event wasn’t just about rankings; it fostered collaboration and celebrated the global coffee community.
Mark your calendars for India International Coffee Festival 2024 (photo provided)
NEW DELHI, Delhi, India – India International Coffee Festival (IICF), a multi-city largest coffee festival, supported by the Coffee Board of India. Building on the momentum of the 2023 World Coffee Conference (WCC) in Bengaluru, which drew over 2,400 delegates, 117 speakers, 208 exhibitors, and more than 20,000 visitors from 80 countries, IICF brings a mega-event to India, promising an even grander experience.
The event will be held across the three cities – Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru in October 2024. With preliminary events in Delhi (4-6 October at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden), Mumbai (11-13 October at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla), and Bengaluru (28-30 October at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur), the festival will culminate in Bengaluru (13-15 December), where the national coffee champion will be chosen to represent India on a global level.
The IICF is designed to cater to a broad audience, from industry professionals that include growers, roasters, exporters, traders, cafe chain owners, and retailers to coffee connoisseurs and the general public, offering an immersive experience that showcases the diversity and richness of coffee culture in India. Attendees can look forward to stalls offering a wide range of specialty coffee, equipment, and accessories, alongside workshops, competitions and entertaining activities that promise an engaging and unforgettable celebration of coffee. These multi-city mega events will put India on the spotlight and as a coffee hub which has a major role to play in the global coffee ecospace.
D.M. Purnesh – President of Speciality coffee association of India (SCAI), speaking on the upcoming festival said, “It gives us immense joy and satisfaction to bring the largest coffee festival to India. The country with an ever growing coffee drinking audience is a very important market for us and India does play a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities of India. Let the festival be a meeting ground of ideas and exchange of creative skills.”
IICF is set to brew a series of exciting events with three competitions that showcase the ultimate fusion of artistry, skill, and passion in the coffee industry. While the National Barista Championship – Celebrating the Art of Coffee is a premier event aimed at highlighting the skills, creativity, and passion of baristas across the country, the Brewers Cup Championship – A Celebration of Coffee Brewing Excellence is a distinguished event that spotlights the artistry and precision of coffee brewing. Designed for coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike, this championship celebrates the diverse methods of brewing coffee. Meanwhile another prestigious competition – Coffee in Good Spirits – Where Coffee Meets Mixology is an exciting platform that helps in showcasing the artistry of baristas and bartenders alike. This unique competition will celebrate the creative possibilities of combining high-quality coffee with premium spirits.
Sreeram G. Co-founder, Maverick & Farmer said, “The coffee culture across the globe has seen an unprecedented growth in recent times. And festivals like this are great platforms to get the coffee community together and aim towards a joint endeavor of exploration and innovation.”
Sharing her excitement on the forthcoming India International Coffee Festival, Hamsini Appadurai – Owner, Sangameshwar Coffee Estates said, “The coffee industry is going through a revolutionary phase with new trends and amazing innovations. The festival is the perfect platform to get industry leaders and stakeholders together and give them an opportunity for knowledge sharing.”
Tapaswini Purnesh – Owner, Harley Estate said, “It is a great honor and privilege to be part of a coffee festival as great as the IICF. I am really looking forward to fruitful sessions of learning and sharing with the best in the industry. Being in three different cities also helps in spreading awareness on the latest coffee trends.”
This event serves as an unparalleled networking opportunity, enabling connections among baristas, roasters, suppliers, and coffee aficionados, while promoting collaboration and innovation within the coffee community. Through tastings sessions, interactive workshops and a series of interesting sessions on the itinerary, the festival will enhance awareness and appreciation for specialty coffee among consumers, making it an essential highlight in the global coffee calendar.
The India International Coffee Festival aims to foster a deeper understanding of coffee culture and its significance within the global landscape, making the three-days in each city an event filled with fun, learning and entertainment.
