It was on a trip to Singapore that Peter Kaas, Sales Manager Export for Bravilor Bonamat, realised that there was something truly exceptional about the products he was selling around the world. “Someone asked me to have a look at one of our machines. I had a glance, and saw it was a really old-looking model,” recalls Kaas. “It was built in 1988. It was practically a museum piece, and here it was, still working.” Although Kaas was impressed with the 25-year-old brewer, he wasn’t surprised. Bravilor Bonamat, a Dutch-based company that has just celebrated 65 years in business, prides itself on the quality of its equipment. Supplying everyone from hotels, to major events such as the Olympics, the company has made quality and user-friendliness the focus of its technological advancements. Inside the machine, Bravilor’s work has kept apace with trends in the market. As consumers have become increasingly interested in the coffee-making process, Bravilor has released equipment that helps them experience the whole process. “From the sound of the grinding to the smell of the beans, people want to be more involved in the coffee making process,” says Kaas. When time is of the essence, Bravilor’s efforts in bulk brewing have focused on user-friendliness, and efficiency. “These bulk brewers offer the possibility to brew large amounts of coffee is a fast period,” he explains. “For large events, you need to get people their coffee and fast.” Bravilor’s bulk brew units are made entirely of stainless steel, are insulated and feature an individual heating device. This means that they can be disconnected from the main brewer, moved to where the coffee is being served, and reconnected to maintain the heat. Kaas points to the technological advancements of Bravilor systems that allow them to brew large amounts of coffee in very short time frames. For instance, the bulk brewers can make 40 litres, that’s 300 cups of coffee, in just 17 minutes. The system works by passing the water through a small reservoir as it brews, rather than trying to heat all that water at once in a large boiler. Another advantage of the Bravilor Bonamat bulk brewer is a mixer fitted into the coffee container. Because of the nature of brewing filter coffee at such large volumes, the first cup of coffee brewed will usually be stronger than the last. The mixer, fitted at the bottom of the container, ensures the first cup served will taste just as good as the last. Another unique feature of the Bravilor Bonamat bulk brewer is the adjustable descaling program. The machine features an indicator that warns when the descaling process needs to be undertaken, based on the number of coffees made. However, as different countries have different water types, the indicator can be adjusted based on the hardness of the water. When the user does have to undergo the descaling process, the machine will talk them through it step by step. Features like this makes Bravilor Bonamat equipment “monkey-proof”, jokes Kaas. “Imagine you have a lot of people out there who don’t even drink coffee. For some tea-drinking countries it’s not even in their cultures. How are they going to know how to make a good brew?” says Kaas. Bravilor Bonamat systems are designed specifically with user-friendliness in mind. For instance, the machine asks how much coffee the user wants to brew. If they don’t put in enough coffee for that amount, the machine will tell them. Further fool-proofing of the equipment is in the quality build of the machines. Made entirely of stainless steel, the parts are easy to clean and maintain their shape. Kaas explains that the drawback of plastic parts – which are cheaper to supply – is that they are not intended for long-term use. He says Bravilor Bonamat machines can easily be used for over 10 years. The company’s work goes beyond utility, and has been recognised for aesthetic appeal. Bravilor Bonamat recently received an industrial design award for its Mondo and Matic series Quick Filter machines. “Kitchen designers appreciate our quality, our equipment is recognised as stylish,” he says. “We think that if a machine is going to be on display in a kitchen, it should look good.” Not only does this lend itself to the appeal of the business, but Kaas explains that if a machine looks good, customers are more likely to drink more coffee. And this, he says, is good for everyone in the industry.
