In today’s world, being a good business is often defined as more than just having a healthy bottom line. Suppliers and consumers alike are taking ever more notice of the choices companies make when conducting their business.
As owners of the Coffee Worx brand, Deb and Ian Riach seem to be making solid decisions, both ethically and commercially.
As well as owning Coffee Worx, its roastery, supply business and a couple of cafes, Deb and Ian are the New Zealand partner of the ethically traded La Mai charity coffee brand.
It is their way of helping the Thailand farmers who produce the beans used in La Mai Coffee climb out of poverty and into self-sustaining livelihoods.
Yes, the Christchurch company has taken on the challenge of moving beyond just generating business revenue. However, business is still business and when it comes to coffee, flavour is the name of the game.
It is here where Deb and Ian are equally as successful, building Coffee Worx into an award winning market success.
In recognition of Coffee Worx’s effort and the quality of the coffee, it was awarded a bronze medal for its La Mai coffee in the ethically traded section of the 2011 Coffee Awards. “This has given us the confidence that this coffee is a winner,” Deb says.
The pair also picked up a silver award for their Heartland Brew Norwester coffee in the same awards competition.
“I am proud of the quality of our product, and we have been recognised in the industry over the years with a range of awards.”
Deb and Ian have both been in the coffee industry for years, so they are not short on knowledge when it comes to coffee. They know what they are talking about, having owned and run eight different cafes of their own. “We were one of the founding partners of Coffee Culture; we came in at the beginning of café culture growth.”
Ten Years in Business
Deb and Ian started Yellow Rocket in 2001, and in 2008, they began the Coffee Worx brand after having bought and redeveloped a roastery in Sockburn. “We brought the existing roastery, which we rebranded into Coffee Worx, to change its focus and bring it out into the market,” she says.
“We began to look at the wholesale and supply side of the business. It has taken most of our focus – it is a good viable business and has become most of what our business is about.”
But despite having 18 years of success in the coffee industry, an earthquake to shake things up was not something that any amount of experience could prepare them for, especially when the earthquake wiped out their Yellow Rocket chain, leaving its flagship store in the CBD marooned behind the cordons.
But shakes aside, Deb appears un-phased, saying plans are in the works to launch Yellow Rocket into franchises elsewhere in the South Island. At present, they have simply merged it into their Coffee Worx café at Northlands Mall.
In addition, they are continuing to work on building up the Coffee Worx brand through their roastery, which currently supplies and distributes to 100 customers in cafes, bars and restaurants throughout the South Island.
X Marks the Spot
In a crowded market like the café industry, Deb admits making your mark and standing out is a great challenge. However, where they make a difference is in their desire to make their customers succeed.
“For us, what is different is that through our customers’ success, we make our success. The pursuit of excellence can be a process. How you can be good at what you do is to challenge yourself continuously.”
For more information email: deb@coffeeworx.co.nz or visit: www.coffeeworx.co.nz