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Mill City Ships First 20-Kilogram M-Series Roasters
Mill City Roasters said its first 20-kilogram M-Series roasters shipped Oct. 9, joining the 6- and 10-kilogram models already delivered to customers. The Minneapolis manufacturer introduced the M-Series earlier this year as it brought manufacturing in-house. The machines include RoastPath touchscreen controls, data logging and remote diagnostics. Mill City plans to begin building its first 30-kilogram model in January 2027 and add inventory management to Roastpath in early 2027, the company told DCN.
Compass Coffee Founders’ Dispute Ends in Settlement
Compass Coffee co-founder Harrison Suarez’s lawsuit against Michael and Robert Haft has ended through a confidential settlement and voluntary dismissal filed Oct. 8 in federal court in Washington D.C. Suarez’s January 2025 lawsuit alleged fraud and ownership-related misconduct, which the Hafts denied. The settlement follows Compass’s separate bankruptcy proceedings and the sale of its assets to Caffè Nero earlier this year.
Swiss Coffee Traders Rethink Shipping and Inventory Amid Wars
Swissinfo reports that shipping disruptions, conflict and rising transportation costs are pushing Swiss coffee traders toward alternative routes and larger inventories. Drawing on interviews and discussions at the Swiss Coffee Trade Association’s annual forum, the report describes how longer voyages tie up working capital and complicate purchasing. A survey of attendees showed “war” as the top concern.
ODI Warns of Ethiopian Coffee Market Exclusion Under EUDR
A new ODI Global policy paper warns that traceability and legal documentation requirements under the European Union’s deforestation regulation (EUDR) could exclude Ethiopian small-scale coffee farmers from European markets. The paper builds on previously published concerns about Ethiopian coffee’s exposure to a regulatory “green squeeze.”
European Coffee Federation Releases Container Guidance
The European Coffee Federation has published container-handling guidance designed to protect green coffee during ocean transport. Available as a downloadable infographic, the guidance covers container cleanliness, moisture, odors, loading arrangements and documentation. The resource also references the European Standard Contract for Coffee, which establishes responsibilities and risk allocation.
FAO Event Explores Financing for Forest-Friendly Coffee
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Bank, UNDP and UN-REDD Programme are co-organizing Investable Beans, a two-day hybrid event on financing sustainable coffee and cocoa production. Discussions will cover business cases, investment risks and policies supporting supply chains that protect forests.
Blue Bottle Workers Announce Union Drive in New York
Workers at Blue Bottle Coffee’s World Trade Center location announced Oct. 21 that they are organizing with the Blue Bottle Independent Union. According to a union announcement, a supermajority signed authorization cards and workers requested voluntary recognition, citing wages, inconsistent scheduling and disciplinary practices. The organizing effort would extend the union’s presence to New York, following successful union elections at Boston-area Blue Bottle cafes in 2024.
Blueprint Coffee Presents Discount Codes as Tariff Refunds
St. Louis-based Blueprint Coffee said it is passing tariff refunds along to customers through a 5% discount code for roasted coffee purchased through its website. The company says its importing partners have completed refunds through a combination of cash and credits toward future green coffee purchases. Wholesale and online customers can use the code up to 10 times per customer, the company said.
Smart Care Launches Atlas Troubleshooting App
Commercial equipment service company Smart Care Solutions announced Atlas by Smart Care, an app providing field technicians with technical information and troubleshooting guidance. The launch follows Smart Care’s consolidation of five coffee equipment and speed-oven service businesses under the Turbo Tech brand.
The Roasters Pack Unveils Rare and Competition Coffee Advent Calendar
Toronto-based The Roasters Pack has introduced a 2026 Rare & Competition Coffee Advent Calendar featuring 12 coffees from 12 international roasters. Highlights include coffees from Axil Coffee Roasters, home of 2025 World Barista Champion Jack Simpson, and POMA, which grows coffee in a controlled research environment in Denmark, according to the company. Each coffee comes in a 32-gram portion.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Pastry Chef at Minifactory in Vermont — Minifactory
- Head Roaster | Teleo Roasting Company — Teleo Roasting Co.
- Specialty Coffee Sensory Evaluator — Coffee Bros.
- Specialty Coffee Sales Associate — Balzac
- Field Service Technician – NW NJ / Southern Border of NY — Eversys, Inc.
- Territory Sales Manager — Mountain Region — Eversys, Inc.
- Territory Sales Manager — Texas Region — Eversys, Inc.
- Production Roaster — Joe Coffee Company
- Field Service Technician — Ozo Coffee Roasters
- Trade Flow and Customer Success Associate — StoneX
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
University of Hawaii to Lead New Federal Coffee and Cacao Research Lab
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will lead a new federally funded coffee and cacao research program backed by an initial $8 million for its first year, with priorities including disease- and drought-resistant varieties, farm management and post-harvest processing… read more
Little Nest Coffee Roasters Hatches Outside Detroit
Little Nest Coffee Roasters opened a 3,400-square-foot cafe and roastery in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, combining an in-house roasting operation with a dedicated play area for young children and a classroom for community programming… read more
Dr. Joseph John, Champion of Indian Coffee and Espresso, Dies at 88
Dr. Joseph John, the former nuclear physicist who co-founded Josuma Coffee Company, championed high-quality Indian coffees in the United States and became an influential educator on espresso, died Sept. 15 at age 88… read more
Syracuse Haraz Coffee House Closes as Franchise Dispute Heads to Court
A Haraz Coffee House near Syracuse University closed less than a year after opening as its local operators face a lawsuit from the chain’s franchising company alleging violations involving approved suppliers, unpaid invoices and royalties, and other terms of the franchise agreement… read more
Built For Farms, the LE Scale Pivots Into Roasteries
American Scale Co.’s rugged wireless LE Scale, which evolved from equipment used for wrestling competitions before moving into agriculture, is finding new applications on coffee farms and in commercial roasteries… read more
Roast Magazine Announces 2027 Roaster of the Year Winners
Michigan-based Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters and Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Utopian Coffee earned Roast magazine’s 2027 Roaster of the Year awards in the Micro and Macro categories, respectively… read more
Tax Charges Added to Federal ‘100% Kona’ Coffee Fraud Case
A Hawaii woman accused of selling foreign-grown coffee as “100% Kona” now faces four additional federal tax charges under a superseding indictment. Patricia “Trish” Johnson pleaded not guilty to the expanded 28-count indictment, and her attorney said she maintains her innocence… read more
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