Fracino hosts visit from Jamaican coffee supplier

BIRMINGHAM based manufacturing firm Francino, the UK’s only manufacturer of cappuccino and espresso machines, played host to a visiting dignitary from Jamaica’s flourishing coffee industry.

Senator Norman Washington Grant JP is one of the world’s top coffee producers. He was shown around the Aston factory by Fracino chairman Frank Maxwell, who founded the business in 1963.

Senator Grant, who is the managing director and chief executive of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, was in Birmingham to promote the launch of his Blue Mountain Coffee in the UK. He was also visiting the city in his role as senator because Birmingham will be the Jamaican Olympic team’s base for the London 2012 Olympics.

Mavis Bank works with around 6,000 coffee farmers across Jamaica to source the best beans and produces 42% of the world’s supplies of the Blue Mountain coffee bean, which is sought after because of its mildness.

Senator Grant said: “We plan to introduce Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee to Birmingham, which we hope will be the gateway to the rest of the UK. The coffee can then be enjoyed by not only the one million citizens here, but also our Jamaican athletes when this is their home for the 2012 Olympics.

“It was really interesting to tour the Fracino factory. The machines they produce here are very impressive, and I believe a high quality machine is a very important component of making a good coffee.”

Fracino founder and chairman Frank Maxwell said: “For Fracino, it is the perfect time to welcome Senator Grant for a visit, because we are in a period of significant growth. Blue Mountain is probably the most prestigious brand of coffee in the world, so it was a real honour to receive a visit from the senator.”