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The new LDC coffee drying plant in Lempira, Honduras. LDC press release photo.
Louis Dreyfus Company Opens Coffee Drying Plant in Lempira, Honduras
Multinational food and agriculture merchant Louis Dreyfus Company has inaugurated a new coffee drying plant in the key Western Honduras coffee region of Lempira. The facility, which is expected to employ approximately 20 people, complements an existing LDC coffee processing facility in Villanueva, near San Pedro Sula. In an announcement of the opening, LDC Head of Coffee for South and West Latin America Pablo Pereyra said, “The new plant’s proximity to the country’s coffee plantations makes it an attractive alternative for local coffee growers, by giving them the possibility to market their coffee and access an excellent drying service, all in one place.”
Applications Open for “Australia’s Richest Barista” Contest
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) has opened submissions and sponsorships for its second “Australia’s Richest Barista” competition. Now in its second year, the three-stage competition will result in prizes, including cash, worth AUS$40,000 (approximately US$26,000).
Massimiliano Bizzari Named CEO of Italy’s Rancilio Group
Massimiliano Bizzarri has assumed the CEO role at Italy-based professional coffee equipment conglomerate Rancilio Group. He is succeeding Ruggero Ferrari, who is stepping down after four years as CEO for personal reasons. Bizzarri comes to Rancilio from Ali Group, where he served as senior vice president of EMEA APAC since September 2023.
De’Longhi Names Eliza Woolston President of De’Longhi America
Home coffee equipment maker De’Longhi appointed Eliza Woolston Sheffield president of De’Longhi America, based in New Jersey. Sheffield, who most recently served as the president of BlueStar Appliances, will report to Mike Prager, CEO of De’Longhi Group North America.
Ahlstrom Announces Launch of Home-Compostable Capsule Lid
Multinational building and packaging materials maker Ahlstrom announced the launch of a fiber-based Nespresso-style capsule lid that is home compostable, according to the company. A recent European study assessed which types of common commercially available capsules are worst for the environment.
IWCA Celebrating 20th Anniversary at NCA Convention Luncheon
The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) plans to celebrate its 20th anniversary at a luncheon during the annual National Coffee Association convention on March 9. Registration info is available through the IWCA website.
Dean’s Beans CEO Beth Spong Appointed to IWCA Board
Beth Spong, the CEO of the Massachusetts-based worker-owned cooperative Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, has been appointed to serve on the board of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).
ICO Releases Monthly Global Coffee Market Report for January
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) released its monthly global coffee market report. The January report showed the ICO’s composite indicator coffee price at US$1.764 per pound, a 0.4% decrease from the prior month. The 12-month rolling average of the composite indicator price — which reflects arabica and robusta futures — was $1.668.
La Marzocco USA Pays Tribute to Daymond Jordan
La Marzocco USA shared news this week of the passing of coffee Seattle-area coffee equipment technician Daymond Jordan. In a remembrance, La Marzocco wrote, “He truly understood how coffee was a way to bring people together, and his trailblazing work near the beginning of his career helped him spread that message to every new part of the country he traveled to in order to install coffee equipment.”
Cometeer and Seth Rogen’s Houseplant Team Up for Coffee Launch
Single-serve frozen coffee pod maker Cometeer and the actor Seth Rogen’s cannabis-focused lifestyle company Houseplant have collaborated for a coffee product launch, with the names “Bean There Done That” and “Get Roasted.”
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Territory Sales Rep – SE Region – La Marzocco USA
- Equipment Service Tech – Silver Canyon Coffee
In Case You Missed It
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Adapted from Eadweard Muybridge / public domain.
How Shade Coffee Lends Conservation a Hand
When managed in the right way, the farms that provide our morning brew can be a refuge for plant and animal biodiversity… read more
Dunkin’ Facing Class Action Suit Over Non-Dairy Milk Pricing
United States coffee giant Dunkin’ is facing a class action lawsuit alleging discrimination against people with lactose allergies or intolerances by up-charging for non-dairy milks… read more
Liam Brody Named CEO of Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA)
Longtime agriculture sustainability professional Liam Brody is the new chief executive officer of the Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA)… read more
Covoya Specialty Coffee Adds Mark Inman as Senior Trader
Longtime green coffee professional Mark Inman has joined United States-based Covoya Specialty Coffee as director and senior trader… read more
Wanderlust Coffee Settles Into First Cafe in Lafayette, Indiana
A new starting point from which to explore the wide world of specialty coffee has come to life in Lafayette, Indiana, with the opening of Wanderlust Coffee Roasters… read more
Inclusive Roastery Innovations Give 321 Coffee Liftoff in Raleigh
With equipment and technology backing a mission to create a truly inclusive coffee business, 321 Coffee has been reaching new heights in North Carolina… read more
The Origin Story of Turtle Island Coffee in Victoria, B.C.
A new Indigenous-owned coffee company based in Victoria, British Columbia, called Turtle Island Coffee has launched with the goal of exposing more people to high quality specialty coffee and Indigenous culture… read more
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