To launch world-class training centre in India soon

Sudipta DevMumbai

20160430eh11A pioneer in quality coffee and vending machines for the away for home (AFH) segment, Lavazza India is a part of a 121 years old business legacy. Despite being a primarily tea drinking country, the coffee culture in India has significantly evolved in recent times and the company sees major opportunities for growth here. Lavazza provides both imported and made in India range of coffee to its HoReCa partners in India. “We constantly innovate and provide the best solutions to ensure that our partners serve the best of coffee to their customers,” said Silvio Zaccareo, MD, Fresh and Honest (Lavazza). Lavazza in India through its 100 per cent owned subsidiary, Fresh & Honest Café Ltd, imports coffee vending machines from Europe. The company also plans to invest on the education of coffee, both with consumers and the influencers (Baristas). “The Lavazza Training Center is the largest coffee study centre internationally and we will be launching our world class training centre within India too in the coming months,” revealed Zaccareo.

The company, which in line with its global strategy had moved out of café business is focusing on its core coffee business. Acknowledging that as consumers have opportunity to experience the best of coffees in the country they are becoming more discerning, Zaccareo remarked that single origin coffees is something which is catching up in India and several hotels have now started offering these as part of their menus. “The HoReCa segment is fueling growth of the category and also helping in changing habits towards coffee consumption. We see an increasing demand of coffee from the entire country, even from the traditional tea consuming markets, typically the northern side of India,” he said, adding that they also have a wide range of single serve capsule systems which helps serve consistent coffee cup after cup be it a hotel, café or office.

The corporate segment is another focus area with more organisations looking for quality coffee solutions for their employees. “We also have presence in the high end modern trade where we are seeing more and more consumers demanding the best quality of coffee,” stated Zaccareo.