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Brambati President Fabrizio Brambati on 80 years of leadership in coffee processing, navigating the challenges of the 20th century, and how it stays ahead of the curve.
Throughout modern history, roasting equipment specialist Brambati has been integral to coffee’s journey from plant to cup, ensuring precision at each stage of processing.
As the company celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025, President Fabrizio Brambati reflects on how the company has helped shape the global industry while navigating the ebbs and flows of war, political tension, and economic downturn.
He says eight decades of agility, resilience, and a focus on technological advancement combined with strong family values have been the key to longevity and have allowed the company to respond quickly to shifting market trends.
This agility can be found at every turn of the company’s history, but most notably at its origins.
Francesco Brambati founded the business in 1945, shortly after World War II, initially focusing on wheat mills and manufacturing plants for the milling industry.
As the number of mills declined, Francesco identified new opportunities and pivoted towards handling raw materials, starting with flour and semolina. Over time, the business expanded to include a range of products such as beans and sugar, before eventually entering the coffee industry.
Now in its third generation, Fabrizio and his cousin, Vice President Andrea, are at the helm, still deeply involved in the broader food industry by providing systems for raw material handling, biscuit production, and snack foods. However, coffee processing remains a core element of the business.
Fabrizio notes that the company’s generational ties have been an asset in its overall success as well as creating strong relationships with both employees and customers.
“Being a family business, the biggest advantage we have is that decisions are made quickly: we’re all aligned with the same goals, which helps us move forward in a clear direction. The close relationships we have with our team and customers also creates a shared sense of purpose,” he says.
“It feels as though we’re all working together, and it creates a strong team spirit.”
The company’s international journey began with the second generation of Brambati, led by Fabrizio’s father and uncle.
“In the late 1960s and early 1970s, we expanded beyond Italy, particularly into the North America, and Central and South America,” says Fabrizio.
In the early 1990s, due to political instability and import taxes in several markets, the company shifted its focus east, targeting regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and Russia. This strategic pivot has since proven invaluable, allowing Brambati to tap into these emerging markets today.
“Nowadays, these markets, especially Asia and the Middle East, are some of our most important, though Europe remains a significant part of our historical market,” says Fabrizio.
“Currently about 80 per cent of our products are for export, and we have branches outside of Italy, including in Melbourne, Australia, and Chicago, United States. But the main production and manufacturing still happens in Italy.”
More recently, the company’s diversification in the broader food industry has allowed it to adapt to challenges such as the fluctuations in the cost of green beans.
What’s more, Brambati’s commitment to research and development (R&D) keeps it in the vanguard as it constantly identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance emission control systems, and tailor its solutions to meet the specific needs of each client.
“Every year we invest heavily to ensure our technology stays ahead of the curve,” says Fabrizio. “We’ve managed to stay competitive by investing in R&D and maintaining flexibility in our systems, with every plant and machine we design tailored to the needs of the customer.”
He explains that a machine sold in Canada might differ from one sold in North Africa or the Middle East, due to different market requirements and conditions.
“This flexibility has allowed us to work across the globe, regardless of local challenges,” he says.
Brambati’s longevity is driven by producing 100 per cent of its projects in-house, ensuring quality, innovation, and full control over every stage. This approach is designed to deliver seamless customisation, adaptation to market needs, and independence from external suppliers.
“Everything is manufactured in-house, from the mechanical parts to the control systems, including the software that manages the installations,” says Fabrizio.
As such, Brambati has helped drive the industry forward with its technological advancements. This includes being among the first to innovate with new drum shapes and the use of stainless steel for roasting systems as well as leveraging the company’s wheat milling origins to propel coffee grinding forward.
“We have also made advancements in grinding technology, especially with micro-grinding using roller grinders. This was a huge leap forward, particularly since we came from the wheat milling background,” says Fabrizio.
Thanks to its commitment to R&D, he says Brambati’s control systems have become increasingly user-friendly over the years. Today, the company’s machines provide real-time data on performance, with preventative software to help avoid potential issues before they arise.
“This ability to predict and prevent problems has been a significant advancement and helps our clients maintain smooth operations with minimal disruptions,” says Fabrizio.
As technological development accelerates and sustainability becomes a key focus, the company is committed to staying ahead with a focus on alternative energy sources for its systems to improve efficiency and sustainability.
“Sustainability is a big focus for us, and we’ve been integrating it into our processes for the past few years. It’s not just about being more eco-friendly, but also improving the efficiency of our production,” he says.
“As we look to the future, we’ll continue to invest in technology, efficiency, and sustainability, and we hope to find alternative energy sources for our systems. We want to stay ahead of industry trends and keep pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
For Fabrizio, his time as President is defined not by a single achievement but by the company’s steady growth and evolution over the years.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the company evolve over the years, and the satisfaction of seeing customers happy with our products is what drives us. I take pride in the long-standing relationships we’ve built with customers – some have been with us since my grandfather’s time,” he says.
“To see the company grow, expand into new markets, and increase its presence worldwide has been a huge accomplishment.”
In October 2025, Brambati will mark its 80th anniversary at HostMilano in Italy, celebrating with the global industry and showcasing eight decades of innovation and resilience.
For more information, visit the Brambati website.
This article was first published in the January/February 2025 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.
The post Brambati marks 80 years in coffee processing appeared first on Global Coffee Report.
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