8 min.
May 23, 2024
Stomach and heart is the way to innovation at Peter Larsen Kaffe
Text:
Signe Poulsen
Photo:
Peter Larsen Coffee
Peter Larsen Coffee's logo is characterized by the curved letters, which to some may seem a little old-fashioned. However, it stands in stark contrast to the impression you get of the Viborg-based company upon closer acquaintance.
Product development and new angles on what coffee can be used for are at the top of the agenda.
- We are probably more innovative than we think in our everyday lives, says Michael Bisgaard, Commercial Manager at Peter Larsen Kaffe.
- But rethinking the category is also necessary when there are a handful of big brands vying for consumer attention on the shelves.
However, innovation is more than a buzzword. It's a business strategy. The company combines sustainability, technology and innovation to develop the coffee solutions of the future.
A more sustainable coffee industry
Coffee production has a high environmental impact, and at Peter Larsen Kaffe they are very aware of the industry's challenges. From ensuring better working conditions for coffee farmers to minimizing waste and developing new packaging solutions, sustainability is a key part of their strategy.
They were also the first to serve organic, Fair Trade and cold brew bottled coffee to Danes. And they are 100% powered by biogas and wind energy.
- Employees should feel that everyone has a real opportunity to influence our development with their ideas. That's motivating. It's also important to realize that it's a short step from decision to action when the good idea is there," says Michael.
Annette Wisler Houmann, who has worked at Peter Larsen Kaffe for over 25 years, started as an office trainee and is now Product Manager:
- We are also very conscious that all our innovation and the company as a whole must run on a solid and correct foundation. This applies to everything from ensuring that food legislation is in order to serving customers with correct product data.
Coffee production has a high environmental impact, and at Peter Larsen Kaffe they are very aware of the industry's challenges. From ensuring better working conditions for coffee farmers to minimizing waste and developing new packaging solutions, sustainability is a key part of their strategy.
They were also the first to serve organic, Fair Trade and cold brew bottled coffee to Danes. And they are 100% powered by biogas and wind energy.
- Employees should feel that everyone has a real opportunity to influence our development with their ideas. That's motivating. It's also important to realize that it's a short step from decision to action when the good idea is there," says Michael.
Annette Wisler Houmann, who has worked at Peter Larsen Kaffe for over 25 years, started as an office trainee and is now Product Manager:
- We are also very conscious that all our innovation and the company as a whole must run on a solid and correct foundation. This applies to everything from ensuring that food legislation is in order to serving customers with correct product data.
Correct master data builds a solid foundation
Warehouse management is the cornerstone of the foundation for innovation. A number of years ago, barcodes were introduced throughout the picking warehouse in Viborg. Each warehouse location is labeled with a barcode that beeps when something is put in place or picked for an order. The pallets were labeled with GS1-128 labels with information such as the shelf life of the products and the pallet's unique "number plate" - the SSCC number.
- Barcodes are simply indispensable. Among other things, they help to reduce waste, as we have an overview of which items, including shelf life, are where in the warehouse," says Jonas Bach Boel, warehouse clerk.
This is the journey that Annette has experienced with product master data over the past ten years:
- As more of our customers have joined the 'wave', our prioritization of the area has also increased. Master data is an important part of the collaboration with our customers. All data must be available to our customers and we always focus on delivering data on time.
- We have a strong focus on talking to people, not Excel sheets. We believe in building relationships with customers and being flexible. We also see GS1Trade Sync as part of the relationship with our customers," Michael concludes.
Coffee is a fruit
Coffee beans are the fruit seeds in a coffee berry. The coffee berry is green when unripe and red when ripe. You pick the berry, wipe away the pulp to get to the caffeinated bean, which is later roasted before use.
Over 60 coffee varieties in the world
The most popular coffee variety is called Arabica. It is the mildest coffee variety and accounts for 70-75% of the world's coffee production. A solid second place goes to the Robusta variety, which accounts for 20-30% of the world's coffee production and is often used in instant coffee due to its stronger flavor.
Coffee originates from Ethiopia
The story goes that a shepherd in the Kaffa province of Ethiopia noticed that eating the coffee berries made his goats perk up. He then experimented with turning coffee berries into the hot, black beverage we know today. Later, coffee came to Yemen via the port city of Mocha and from there it spread to the rest of the world.
We've been drinking coffee since the 1600s
Back then, the beans were roasted in a pan and then ground with a mortar as finely as possible. At that time, coffee was reserved for the finer people like priests and manor owners.
FUN FACTS
- Danes consume almost four billion cups of coffee in a year and has been decreasing since 2014.
- Men drink more coffee than women.
- 84% drink coffee in the morning, while 49% drink coffee in the afternoon.
- When we drink coffee outside the home, it's typically at work.
- Interest in organic and sustainable coffee is on the rise. Women are more interested in sustainable and organic coffee than men.
Source: Danish Coffee Information.
