Some might say Boema Coffee Equipment’s 60 years in the industry was a long time, but the reality is Boema are just getting started. The company’s anniversary gives pause to remember Boema was founded on and remains committed to quality above all else.
Back in 1956, Boema was one of the first companies to supply coffee machines in Australia and they have always had great regional ties, with a lot of machines going to the wealthy sugar cane farmers in Far North Queensland.
The original Boema machines were beautifully and classically styled with chrome and glass, and their retro aesthetics were popular at the time with the Greek and Italian-themed espresso bars and cafés.
As technology advanced in coffee machine design, so did Boema as a company. The company changed hands to another partnership of Australian-Italians, and espresso machines became more user friendly while the styles and colours of the machines changed with each era.
In the 1990s the company invested heavily in research and development to make a machine that would handle the conditions of the fast developing Australian hospitality industry. These machines were designed for how Australians of the time drank coffee. Unlike in European cafés, Australians drank lots of cappuccinos in mugs so Boema built machines that would accommodate higher group heads.
Much has changed in the years since Geoff Gibbs bought the company in 1992, according to Boema’s Sales Director Greg Gibbs. While they continue to manufacture quality Australian made Boema machines, they have expanded the range to include Conti Espresso Machines from France and the Swiss-engineered Schaerer automatic machines.
“We’ve certainly changed over time with different owners, and now I’d say we’ve become very service orientated,” Greg says. “And that’s something that’s come from listening to the industry, listening to our customers and getting them what they need.”
Plenty of those customers love Boema because their machines are easier to maintain and service. “We are much more than reliable, and we’re very easy to get parts for,” Greg says. “That’s really what sets us apart – the ease of getting parts. More service technicians have Boema parts than any other because throughout our models the parts are the same. Plus there’s the convenience of getting same day parts most places.”
Being user friendly has always been a focus at Boema, Greg says. “Our machines are simple to use and they’re reliable because we build them to last. That’s been both good and bad. Good because people get value for money, but bad because people see 20 year old Boemas in café and don’t see old machines by other brands. Those other brands don’t have that longevity because you just can’t get parts for them after a few years.”
Boema go one step further than equipment maintenance in connecting with coffee communities. “We’ve probably been one of the most approachable companies in the market in training more technicians, much more so than any company in Australia,” Greg says. “We’re constantly teaching people how to work with different machines, being proactive in going to trade shows – we’ve supported Café Biz since its inception, and we’ve also supported food services trade shows over the years.” But Boema’s commitment to the industry runs deeper still. “We take on board all the criticism and feedback because otherwise we can’t improve and serve the industry better.”
As to the next 60 years of Boema? “Well, we’ve always been quality over quantity in our focus here so that will always continue. Culturally, I think people will continue to investigate the ways of brewing coffee on larger scales – rather than being specialised. The better cafes are like pubs now, offering different styles and having in-house cold drip coffee among all the options. I think that’s where we’re headed.”
One thing that will never change is Boema’s dedication. “We’ve always been very patriotic, always wanted the best quality and we’re always thinking of our customers. We’re trying to do the best we can, and we’re always striving to be better.”
