By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: CaféFino has secured the distribution rights to import the European coffee machine brand, Ascaso, into the Australian market.

The coffee machines will be highly versatile, being able to use both coffee pods (including Philips Senseo pods) and ground coffee, and will be initially released through David Jones stores, with Harvey Norman on the horizon.

“We are just finalising the Harvey Norman accounts now, and if approved, we will be in the stores in June this year,” CafeFino director, Robert Kaposi, told current.com.au.

The first Ascaso product to be introduced to Australia will be the Dream manual machine (RRP $889), with the products being positioned in the mid to high segment.

Kaposi commented that no exclusive distribution will be struck for the machines, and that consumers shouldn’t expect to see the Ascaso range in discount retailers.

Available in a variety of colours and designs, the manual machines feature a single boiler, automatic decalcification option for easy maintenance, cup warming tray, removable water tank, brass group handle and a bar pressure gauge.

“We will soon be switching over to temperature gauges, as people can make more sense of that,” said Kaposi.

The coffee machines’ versatility and quality workmanship will be the key to achieving a successful product launch in Australia, with many consumers desiring a machine which will allow them to use ground coffee and coffee pods.

“Our machines can use any ground coffee or pod; they are a very versatile machine. We also have a coffee pod available now which suits Australian coffee lover’s tastes,” said Kaposi.

Belaroma has recently teamed up with CafeFino to create a custom coffee pod for the Australian market. The custom pod can be used in the Ascaso range of coffee machines or indeed any other compatible pod based machine and is available from CafeFino.

Kaposi hopes the launch of Ascaso coffee machines in Australia will be successful, with initial sales, through David Jones, showing early promise.

“People like selling machines that are easy to use and look good, because it makes them easy to sell. Using the pods makes the process easier for consumers, people like the cleanliness factor and choice is a big thing also,” he said.