ESPRESSO CORP
Long-term Linkeight partnership eliminates supply chain stress.
Espresso Corp is a New Zealand based company which specialises in developing innovative products and services to solve pains throughout the global coffee industry. Their flagship product is the Coffee Catcha, a professional barista dosing tool that helps reduce coffee grind waste and increase dosage consistency.
Steve Guinness, co-founder, and director of Espresso Corp came up with the idea for the Coffee Catcha more than ten years ago. Through market research he identified that many café owners were frustrated with the wastage associated with grinding coffee beans, both from a financial perspective and also the mess involved. The idea was to produce a simple stainless steel component which would sit on top of the portafiller and essentially act as a funnel to stop the beans from falling over the edge and then be utilised to scrape off the excess grind.
After researching design options, Steve began looking at overseas production and supply. Steve quickly realised that he was out of his depth and that he would benefit from engaging an expert in dealing with investment casting and manufacturing in China.
Steve had been given the contact details of Jeremy, owner and director of Linkeight, through a mutual business contact in Wellington. It soon became obvious that Jeremy had the knowledge and experience to move the Coffee Catcha innovation forward. Steve and Jeremy worked closely together to finalise the design and from there several prototypes and suppliers were trialled until they landed on the final high quality finished product.
A simple enough product, but not super simple to produce. Steve shares some of the experience;
“We had a few teething issues in the beginning, but Jeremy is able to think on his feet, deliver solutions and is always positive and enthusiastic about what we are doing. Linkeight have established a good network and base over in China and they know what is possible, this makes dealing with any issues so much easier.”
On the ground in China.
Steve was also happy to admit that the logistics of dealing with China was a somewhat daunting thought. He was relieved and reassured to have Linkeight manage that part of the process for him.
“Linkeight is an intermediary that make the process and craziness of dealing with China completely disappear. It’s a huge comfort to know that I have an experienced partner to take care of that business aspect for me.”
Having a person on the ground in China has made all the difference for Steve who has found that securing a physical presence over there really pushes the factories to exceed quality and delivery expectations.
“The Linkeight Shanghai based production and logistics arm has been instrumental in driving significant positive change within our supply chain over the years.”
“I was in my early twenties when I started Espresso Corp and didn’t have any experience in production or supply chain management. Jeremy was fantastic in developing clear processes in those areas and explaining that journey to me. He was also useful to bounce business concepts with, brainstorm different ways to brand the product and was full of other innovative ideas.”
The Coffee Catcha in action!
Espresso Corp has an ongoing supply partnership with Linkeight, who continues to assist with price negotiation, issue mediation and quality control. They have stuck with Linkeight knowing they will always honour their promises and get things sorted within agreed timeframes.
“We haven’t looked for another partner, it’s a long-term partnership. The trust element is what really sets them apart from other sourcing companies. To other companies looking to bring on board an intermediary in this space I would say; seriously consider Linkeight and chat to the team, talk through what you want, and they will make it happen. They are a trustworthy partner to engage with for overseas manufacturing.”
Contract Manufacturing
Let us look after some or all of your manufacturing process
We develop and manage your manufacturing process, with our integrated networks of qualified and reputable factories providing quality engineering services to deliver both components and full product assemblies.
Talk to us about:
- Casting, machined components and tooling
- Manual or CNC cutting
- Pressed and formed parts
- Heavy and light fabrication
- Prototyping and modelling CAD services
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes we can, provide us a 3D CAD file or we can create that using our designer. We can prototype through 3D printing or CNC machining (utilising CAM software).
We specialise in plastic and metals but have also worked with glass, foams and wood.
We can accept 3D native files from most CAD software packages (preferably .stp or .IGS). 2D files (.dxf or .dwg) with pdf working files to accompany. Linkeight can provide these file types for you if required.
Quality controls are specific by customer but typically include material checks, dimensional validation, finishing validation checks (includes paint, powder coating, galvanizing). The rate of checking is typically 1-5% of production quantity, at random. Checking rates will increase to as high as 20% if any issues are found.
Yes, design can include conceptual 3D designs, finalisation of 3D design and 2D working files.
Bulk production supply generally take 90 days as a guide after the design is finalised but is dependent on the complexity of the product.
Production lead time could be as fast as 15-20 days.
We stand by our supplier partners who are experts in their fields and most issues can be resolved fairly quickly.
Depending on the manufacturing process, costs can vary and include set up charges for moulds in addition to the price per unit. Typically our quoted price is FIS to our clients premise. As we trade in USD there may be some price fluctuation between orders from time to time.
No, this is included in our unit pricing for delivered goods.
In New Zealand dollars direct to the nominated Linkeight bank account.
