Hamburg based, Tchibo purchased the company back in 2016, and Capitol Foods in 2018 with each operating under its own name. Recognising the strong values and reputation for quality and sustainable practices, parent company Tchibo has taken the decision to consolidate its UK & Ireland businesses under the Scottish brand’s name. 

The single business will provide customers with a wider range of products from across the entire business portfolio whilst offering improved efficiency and service to its entire customer base. 

The recently announced investment in the Glasgow roastery has expanded its production capabilities, with new coffee products coming into the Glasgow HQ over the coming 12 months.  

The winner of Glasgow’s Most Outstanding Business at the Glasgow Business Awards in 2023, the company sees this move as one of the most exciting changes to the coffee market in a decade.  

Paul Chadderton, managing director, Matthew Algie said, “This is a significant moment for our business and particularly for our Glasgow HQ which is the beating heart of our business.  

“Coupling this move with the recent investment programme we announced back in April 2023 it places the firm in a very strong position to build upon our growth strategy and at a pivitoal moment in the coffee sector. 

“The majority of the senior leadership team, including myself, have all relocated to Glasgow as we continue to expand the capabilities of the site, including launching our new fully recyclable packaging, various new product lines and our training and development hub which is an industry leading centre for training the next generation of baristas across the UK and Ireland.”  

Coffee continues to be one of the fastest moving sectors, with the post pandemic boom in coffee drinkers showing no signs of slowing down. With the single company now operating under one collective vision, the team are excited to offer an even more customer centric operation.  

Paul continued, “We are seeing new markets emerge as businesses look to grow their sources of revenue. Sectors such as garden centres no longer simply use their cafes as a footfall driver but is a critical part of their income.  

“Matthew Algie is perfectly positioned to help these businesses and our staff are experts in helping firms get more out of their coffee offering. Whether it be helping firms move to more sustainable operations by using our carbon neutral products, or simply supporting local cafes in adapting to the ever-changing trends within the market- this new announcement will accelerate our ability to support out tens of thousands of customers.” 

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The Italian coffee blend which had been available in the UK for a number of years under Tchibo Coffee, is now part of the Matthew Algie family and has been relaunched at a time when coffee sales are continuing to grow.

The coffee has been developed by world renowned Italian barista, Graziano Chessa, to create three premium blends, designed exclusively for professionals.

The name for Piacetto comes from the Italian word ‘Piacere’ meaning ‘a small moment of joy or pleasure.’ It is known as La Selezione Barista – the Barista’s Choice.

Paul Chadderton, managing director of Matthew Algie UK said: “Piacetto is a coffee designed by baristas for baristas. Its consistent high quality comes from using only the finest coffee beans which have been exclusively sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

“Our relaunch is the beginning of our new focus on the product line which will be accompanied with new collateral, marketing and industry insight to help our client base grow their sales.

“The growth in coffee is opening up new opportunities for businesses and Piacetto combined with our service package offers our clients the perfect gateway into maximising your returns on coffee sales.

“We are very excited about this brand and how we can help even more clients grow their business.”

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Established over 150 years ago, Matthew Algie has grown in recent years and with this investment programme, it will allow the firm to roast over 2,500 tonnes of coffee each year for its customers. 

The investment project will include the introduction of a new green bean handling and blending system, upgraded automation, new conveying systems, and state of the art packaging lines. 

In addition to the operational improvements, the investment will support the firms’ new sustainability strategy which will see the entire business become net zero by 2035 with its entire business operations, including supply chain, hitting the target by 2040. 

A new green storage area will enable hessian sacks to be replaced with larger 1 tonne transportation bags that will deliver a 90% manual handling reduction, as well as increased coffee container capacity. Shipping coffee in bulk containers from coffee producing countries to UK ports will increase capacity by 11%, and onward delivery to the Glasgow site will see a 25% capacity increase which will reduce costs and carbon emissions. 

Paul Chadderton, managing director, Matthew Algie said: “Matthew Algie has been an employer in Glasgow for over 150 years and our history of producing and distributing the best quality beverages is world renowned.  

“This recent round of investment builds additional capacity and will future proof the business to offer even more products to its customers.”  

The Glasgow roastery is already carbon neutral, but the firm recently launched its Net Zero Roadmap which details the investment and improvement programmes across the entire business in order to become net zero. 

Paul continued: “Equally important however is how these improvements will help supercharge our efforts to reach net zero, as by 2035 our operations in the UK and Ireland will be carbon neutral or better, with our entire value supply chain net zero by 2040. 

“This is a hugely exciting time for our business and particularly our Glasgow roastery as we look to continue on our growth trajectory whilst being the leading supplier of sustainable, high-quality beverages in the UK and Ireland.”  

Matthew Algie’s investment project has been enabled by support from by Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency. 

Rhona Allison, managing director of business growth at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Matthew Algie’s products are enjoyed by consumers across Scotland, the wider UK and Ireland. 

“This innovative project will enhance the company’s productivity and manufacturing capability whilst also reducing its carbon emissions, delivering 38 new jobs and safeguarding many existing roles in the process. Scottish Enterprise is delighted to support Matthew Algie’s growth, investment and ambition to significantly increase their productivity.” 

The investment work will be carried out around ongoing production and will be completed in Autumn 2023. 

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The Peak & Wild collection of three distinctive coffees, launching at the end of February, will become the roaster’s first range of climate positive coffees, meaning carbon emissions have been offset twice to have a positive, not a neutral, impact on the planet.

The concept has been developed in support of Matthew Algie’s partnership with The John Muir Trust – a conservation charity dedicated to the protection of wild places.

Through the collaboration, Matthew Algie is expected to help preserve and restore 1,000 hectares of Scotland’s rainforest over the next three years. Located across a few isolated pockets, mostly on Scotland’s West Coast, the rainforest is one of Europe’s most precious habitats which provides a nature-based solution for capturing carbon. Due to its high levels of rainfall and mild temperatures it has a unique biodiversity which is now in danger of going extinct, with climate pressures, increased herbivore grazing, nitrogen pollution and the invasion of non-native species all contributing to the problem.

Available to coffee shops and hospitality operators from 28 February, Peak & Wild will also help as many as 2,500 young people across the UK achieve their John Muir Award. The award encourages participants to experience nature, engage in conservation initiatives and help secure the future of conservation.

It is the latest venture from the coffee roaster which has a long history of championing sustainable initiatives. In addition to being the first roaster to introduce Fairtrade espresso to the UK 25 years ago, Matthew Algie was the first in the world to offer triple certified coffee and to achieve Carbon Neutral International Standard.

Jill Wotherspoon, head of brands at Matthew Algie said, “Peak & Wild is the culmination of years of experience in crafting exceptional coffee which is sustainably produced.

“It is our most ambitious project to date, and we are incredibly proud to be working alongside The John Muir Trust to restore vast areas of precious and endangered habitats and to be bringing young people closer to nature by inspiring an appreciation of the outdoors.

“Few people know about Scotland’s rainforest, but it is a hugely significant area for biodiversity that plays a crucial role in tackling climate issues by naturally locking up huge amounts of carbon. Not to mention being the home to thousands of different species of animals and plants, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

“That is why this partnership works so well. We need to both repair and protect our rainforest whilst informing people about the role it has on our everyday life. What better way to spread the message than through our network of café customers.”

The beautifully presented range includes Bracken, a bright and enduringly fruity blend with a sweet aroma and perfectly balanced body; Bramble with sweet dried fruit notes and the heady scent of wine and ripe plum; and Brazil Santa Izabel, a single origin coffee distinguished by its velvety body and sugar cane sweetness.

Never stock-piled, each of the coffees is delivered fresh from the roastery for the optimum flavour, body and aroma, says the company. Following the initial launch of 750g bags for cafes, Matthew Algie will also release 227g whole bean retail bags to allow customers to prepare the coffee at home.

Adam Pinder, Head of Income Generation at the John Muir Trust, said, “Scotland has the highest quality and quantity of rainforest in Europe, but only 30,000 hectares of this vital habitat remain.

“The John Muir Trust cares for areas of rainforest on Skye, Knoydart, Quinag and the Nevis range, each of which are home to some of the world’s rarest plants. Our work to restore Scotland’s rainforest helps to tackle both the biodiversity and climate change crises, and we are delighted to have Matthew Algie’s support, not only on the land in our care, but engaging young people with wild places across the UK through the John Muir Award.”

“This partnership will provide valuable funds for the Trust’s work, while also raising awareness of this little-known but vital habitat.”

To find out more about Matthew Algie, visit: matthewalgie.com.

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The independently owned roastery, which is a leader in sustainable practices, has unveiled its climate pledges at the same time it will be serving its coffee to delegates attending the crucial COP26 summit. 30 cases of triple certified Darwin coffee have been supplied to event organisers ensuring world leaders can enjoy 25,000 cups during the two-week summit.

As well as supplying its carbon neutral coffee to the world’s most influential politicians, the roaster will also be showcased at the summit as an example of what businesses can do in this field, featuring as a key case study for One Carbon World’s webinar on 8 November.

Matthew Algie was chosen due to its long history of championing sustainable initiatives. It became the first roaster to introduce Fairtrade espresso to the UK and the first in the world to offer triple certified coffee. It was also the first roaster globally to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard.

The roaster has also joined forces with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer and 25 other businesses to sign a pledge ahead of COP26 urging leaders to take action to protect farmers’ livelihoods.

Matthew Algie is also focused on building upon these achievements with a new strategy designed to reduce its carbon footprint, support coffee farmers around the world, and further engage with environmental initiatives closer to home.

Among its pledges is a commitment to working with farming partners in the Global South to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Coffee farmers face increasing pressures caused by the climate crisis, and Matthew Algie is working directly on solutions with farmer organisations and supporting them through Fairtrade and organic financial premiums.

Matthew Algie estimates that the premiums the roastery will contribute in 2022, which could fund anything from training on sustainable practices; to crop diversification; to new equipment, will equate to around £1.5m extra revenue to farmers.

At home, Matthew Algie is also actively seeking a charitable partner for 2022 in a bid to support more environmental initiatives in the UK. In additional to a substantial annual donation, it aims to use its network of cafes to drive awareness of the cause and deliver extended fundraising.

Ewan Reid, managing director of Matthew Algie said: “COP26 is arguably the most important climate event in our lifetime so it is hugely encouraging to see our coffee being used as a symbol of how responsible businesses can rise-up to the challenge of climate change. We have been supplying tea and coffee for more than 150 years, but this is the most notable and high-profile event we have ever been involved with.

“Sustainability has been at the heart of everything we do for more than three decades, and we continue to strive to find ways to reduce our impact on the world around us, while also working with our partner farming communities to understand and help mitigate against the climate crisis.

“Like everyone else, we are on a journey with sustainability and we don’t have all the answers to these challenges, but we are constantly questioning what we do while working closely with leaders in this field to educate and explore new innovations that can make a difference.”

The ‘How Your Business Can Save the Planet’ webinar will be delivered by One Carbon World on 8 November at 09:30. Further details and tickets can be secured here: www.onecarbonworld.com/event-details/how-can-your-business-save-our-planet

For more on Matthew Algie’s sustainability journey, visit: www.matthewalgie.com

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Working with One Carbon World, Matthew Algie verified its carbon footprint methodology and results, and offset its emissions by purchasing certified credits from a tree planting project in Uruguay and a wind energy project in India. As a result, it is the first roastery in the world to achieve the Carbon Neutral Gold Standard. One Carbon World is an initiative which aims to reduce climate change and assists organisations in achieving carbon neutrality over the next four years.

As part of its commitment to net zero emissions, Matthew Algie has also joined the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative. Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to encourage and support all levels of society to take climate action to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century, as set out in the Paris Agreement.

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