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Our coffee team had the exciting opportunity to go international on a three-day trip to Italy, visiting the renowned Simonelli Group—home to the iconic brands Nuova Simonelli and Victoria Arduino, both synonymous with cutting-edge espresso machines that empower our baristas to craft exceptional coffee.
The trip brought together a diverse and passionate group, including the Coffee Coordinator and Coffee Quality Ambassador from Restaurant Associates, along with a National Account Manager from UCC, Compass Group’s trusted coffee partner. Joining them were three talented barista competition winners from Gather & Gather, plus members of the sales team from Caffeine Limited.
The purpose of the trip was to deepen the team’s understanding of Simonelli Group’s core values and to get an exclusive look at the innovative technologies and sustainable solutions shaping the future of coffee.
The first stop was Simonelli Group’s headquarters, where the team enjoyed a comprehensive factory tour and, of course, plenty of coffee tasting! They also learned about upcoming sustainable technologies set to be integrated into future machines and gained insight into the company's rich history and legacy.
Day two offered a deep dive into the unique positioning and offerings of each brand – so the team could gain a greater appreciation for how each complements the other while maintaining its own identity.
Hyoseon Kim, Senior Coffee Coordinator at Restaurant Associates, shared their excitement:
“It was so exciting to have real-time insight into Simonelli’s upcoming sustainable machine set to be launched next month. We were able to draw valuable knowledge from both the product development and operations teams—insight that will be incredibly helpful when we eventually get our hands on this new machine!”
The trip concluded with a cultural experience in the historic town of Assisi; a perfect finale to a journey that blended innovation, collaboration and a deep appreciation for coffee and culture.