Swiss coffee machine giant Thermoplan has completed its acquisition of Mikafi, a startup specializing in electric coffee roasting equipment. This strategic move allows Thermoplan, renowned for its extensive work with Starbucks, to broaden its offerings to encompass the entire coffee preparation process, from unroasted beans to the final brewed cup. The integration of Mikafi's technology is poised to revolutionize the commercial coffee landscape, with plans to unveil enhanced capabilities at the upcoming HostMilano 2025 event.

Thermoplan, a company with a quarter-century legacy of supplying coffee machines to Starbucks outlets globally, had previously invested in Mikafi and collaborated on its developmental phases. This acquisition marks a natural progression of their relationship, cementing Thermoplan's commitment to innovation within the coffee industry. The synergy between Thermoplan's expertise in automated coffee systems and Mikafi's pioneering roasting technology promises a streamlined and efficient solution for businesses.

The Mikafi roasting system, initially conceptualized in 2019 by co-founders Marius Disler and Claudio Vögtli, made its public debut as a countertop prototype at HostMilano two years prior. Its design incorporates both convection and conduction heating methods, facilitating an entirely electric roasting process within a compact footprint. This advanced system is designed for ease of use, enabling cafes and hospitality venues to roast small batches of coffee on-site, even without extensive prior roasting experience. Features such as green coffee services, automated profiling, and connectivity ensure consistent and high-quality results.

For Thermoplan, known predominantly for its sophisticated super-automatic coffee and milk frothing machines, the absorption of Mikafi signifies a major expansion into the roasting equipment sector. This move aligns with Thermoplan's overarching corporate strategy to deliver an end-to-end coffee solution. The company aims to offer customers a complete 'bean-to-cup' journey, from sourcing green coffee and custom roasting to crafting the perfect cappuccino, all facilitated by Mikafi's innovative contributions.

This strategic integration underscores Thermoplan's vision to shape the future of coffee preparation by offering a comprehensive, single-source solution that enhances efficiency and quality across the entire coffee value chain.