Last year two organizations that had joint forces: Strauss and Elite decided to use one name - Strauss, thus launching a new corporate identity in their home Israeli market. This year the name change has been being introduced in all Strauss Group subsidiaries including Poland. Being one of the leading coffee manufacturers and marketers worldwide, Strauss Group aspires to become a global leader in branded foods and beverages. It employs more than 10 thousand people worldwide.

The company was launched in Poland in 1991 in response to the growing demand for quality coffee on the Polish market. The Strauss Cafe roasting plant is situated in the locality of Swadzim on the outskirts of the mid-western city of Poznań. For the past 16 years, the company has been continuously developing its production capacity to become number one coffee producer in Poland, with strong market presence in every price segment. Sales revenue in 2006 exceeded PLN 328 million and the operating profit was more than PLN 23 million. To compare, in 2003 these figures were PLN 211 million and PLN 7 million respectively. For the four years 2003-2006 the total amount of investment was PLN 180 million (production capacity, IT systems and acquisition of the MK Cafe brand and know-how in 2005). In total, since its establishment in 1991 the company has invested more than USD 100 million.

Market position

Strauss Cafe Poland producer of: MK Cafe Premium, Pedro’s, Fort, Sahara, Mildano and distributor of the Italian Lavazza brand in Poland, is listed second in terms of volume among coffee producers in the R&G coffee retail market, with a 17.94% market share. The company places third in terms of value (18,81%) (source: Nielsen, AS 2007). Strauss Café Poland is also a leading producer of Private Label coffee. In consolidated figures (both branded and Private Label R&G coffee), Strauss Cafe Poland is the biggest producer, with an estimated market share volume of 19.5% (source: own estimations based on AC Nielsen, Polish Central Statistical Office and AC Nielsen Shipment Pool).

The company’s goal is to become a leader in retail market of R&G coffee, and to strengthen its position as a leader in the AFH market. In the retail market it is the value of our brands Straus Café intends to build on: MK Cafe Premium in the premium segment, Pedro’s, Sahara and MK Feelings in the mainstream segment, and Fort, a leading brand in the economy segment. The company has long been the distributor here of Lavazza – the largest superpremium brand both in retail and AFH markets. The marketing policy of Straus Café provides for presence in every price segment in R&G coffee, with special focus on the growing Premium Segment.

The company takes up ever so new challenges and invests in cutting-edge technologies. The equipment used in the Strauss Café roasting plant is of the highest standard in the coffee industry in the world. However, it is not only the machines that guarantee the highest quality of products. Special emphasis is put on production process management. Each person involved must observe clearly set quality standards and production procedures. Coffee produced in the Strauss Cafe roasting plant is under thorough quality control both internally by a sensory experts panel and externally through regular consumer testing performed by independent market research companies.
The goal is to supply fresh coffee to the final user. To prevent coffee from oxidation, the Strauss Café roasting plant uses a closed storage and transportation system.
Highest level of customer service is a priority to Strauss Café, and its success is proven by very few customer claims and timely deliveries.

Away From Home: Strauss Cafe Service

Strauss Cafe Service (previously named: Elite Coffee Services) began its activity in Poland in 1995. In the HoReCa category it is the leading supplier of coffee and coffee machines. In workplaces it is one of a few leading companies.
Strauss Cafe Service means first and foremost the highest quality of comprehensive customer service. The range of products and services offered enables it to satisfy the various needs and individual tastes of customers.
The offer for HoReCa inludes all kinds of coffee: beans, R&G, instant, in portion packs, as well as new-generation systems such as coffee in capsules, Cappuccino Frappe and French Vanilla. Strauss Cafe Service offers more than 50 types of high-end coffee machines (Italian La Cimbali and Swiss Jura, Lavazza Espresso Point and Lavazza BLUE). For workplaces, the offer includes a range of vending machines, Jura Impressa machines, Lavazza Espresso Point. Coffee products are accompanied by a range of related products: coffee accessories, chocolate and Dilmah teas.

Customer and consumer satisfaction, high quality of goods and services are Strauss Café Service top priority. Customers are reached within 24 hours of their call.

Awards and quality certificates

Strauss Cafe was the first coffee company in Poland and the third in the entire food industry in Poland to receive the ISO 9002 certificate in June 1996. This confirms the company’s position not only as a quantity leader, but a leader in quality, too.
The HACCP system was implemented in 2001 and certified in 2002. The system allows adequate control of critical parameters in order to best protect the health and safety of consumers. At present production is run according to integrated quality control system PN-EN ISO 9001:2001 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System (DS 3027).
Since 2005 the company has been an active member of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe.
In 1999 Strauss Cafe (which was known as Elite Cafe at the time) won The Company of the Year title for its successes in coffee production and promotion of coffee culture. In 2001 and 2002 the company’s products were awarded the It is Good for it is Polish title. The Best in Poland award followed in 2006, as well as the Silver Consumer Laurel (2006, 2007), Lavazza coffee won the title of Coolbrand (2006) and Superbrand (2007). In 2006 and 2007 it was named the Partner of the Year by the Restaurateur magazine. In 2007 the company received a the Market Leader and EuroLeader titles. In 2007 the DEMES award in Sports & Business category was awarded to Jacek Kazimierski, Strauss Cafe Poland president of the management board.
In 2006 Jacek Kazimierski was listed among 20 most successful managers by Home&Market magazine. The list included those the biggest impact on the Polish economy in 2006.


Strauss Cafe Poland: a team united by a common passion

The success of Strauss Cafe is guaranteed by the entire team focused on the corporate vision, goals and values. At present, the company employs 455 persons. The growth factor, however, is not the employment figures, but the quality of relations between people. Strauss Café employees are good professionals, highly motivated, reliable and hard-working people. The company has developed a Code of Ethics which lays down the rules for all areas activity, in relations with shareholders and consumers, in environmental protection and in relations with local communities. For a number of years the firm has supported Polish sports, mainly track and field sportsmen and events.

The common passion of the Strauss Café team is coffee.

New website coming soon: www.strauss-group.pl