Since January 4, 2017, Kaffeemacher has been an independent GmbH (limited liability company). We have separated from our parent company, unternehmen mitte, and are taking the step towards independence. Kaffeemacher has, in a sense, grown up.
For 4 years, we were able to develop, experiment, and gain clarity about what defines us and how we want to work. This has solidified into a clear vision, which we will pursue even more consistently with the new foundation and independence.
Connecting and Networking
As the goal of the new Kaffeemacher GmbH, we have stipulated in our articles of association our intention to act associatively and in a balancing manner across the entire coffee value chain.
On the one hand, we will continue to be active in the coffee sector with our own activities, primarily in training and education. We started with training courses in the gastronomy sector and have recently trained more and more roasteries. In the future, we want to become even more active with training and networking in coffee-growing countries.
Furthermore, Kaffeemacher will also participate in cafés, roasteries, and farms; in terms of content, networking, and as shareholders.
As Kaffeemacher GmbH, we want to continue to act neutrally in the coffee market and be a connecting force – between Specialty and Commercial, between Arabica and Robusta, between fully automatic and semi-automatic machines, between barista and producer, etc.
Social Business and Purpose-Oriented
We designed Kaffeemacher GmbH as a "non-profit," although we do not mean "non-profit" in the tax sense. The GmbH operates in a purpose-oriented, not profit-oriented manner. We view profit as a tool to achieve our purpose. By statute, profit cannot be privatized, and shareholders can only exit the GmbH with the initial nominal value of their shares upon leaving. In other words, the company's profit will be reinvested or used in accordance with the articles of association across the entire coffee value chain. Our focus here is on balancing, as margins in coffee-growing countries are significantly lower than in the countries of predominant consumption at the end of the chain.
Kaffeemacher GmbH starts with two shareholders. Benjamin Hohlmann is the main shareholder and managing director of Kaffeemacher GmbH. Felix Hohlmann, as the managing director of Café frühlings, which will become a subsidiary of Kaffeemacher GmbH in the future, is also a shareholder of Kaffeemacher GmbH.
New projects can and should be allowed to develop within Kaffeemacher GmbH, and these will then become independent companies once they are strong enough to stand on their own feet. The condition for this is that they align themselves with the sense mentioned above and understand profit as a means to achieve entrepreneurial goals. The purpose should always revolve around people and coffee. Then we are on the journey together.
Over the past years, Kaffeemacher has become a platform and community of coffee trainers, experts, partner companies, and baristas. Many work in different companies and share their enthusiasm and knowledge at Kaffeemacher.
We look forward to many great coffees, good cooperation, and intensive exchange,
Benjamin and Felix Hohlmann for Kaffeemacher
