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Finding a good technician to service coffee equipment is a hugely important and often underappreciated aspect of running a coffee business.
To help with this, a group of U.S.-based techs have joined together to create the Service Layer Cooperative (SLC), a nationwide network of independent coffee equipment technicians. Nick Brown reports for Daily Coffee News that the goal is to connect coffee businesses with qualified local technicians—the co-op’s website has a map that shows the breadth of their coverage.
The cooperative initially began as a Discord group for coffee equipment techs. The SLC wants to set standards and advocate for its members, as well as offer continuing education to improve the quality of coffee technicians nationwide through in-person and virtual training programs. “This is just to start. We’re hoping to flesh out more benefits and offerings as the organization matures,” board member Spencer Perez told Brown.
The group also took an ethical stance regarding venture capital and private equity in coffee. “As operational commitments go, SL members cannot work for or share ownership with VC/PE parties,” Perez said.
There has been a marked increase in private equity and venture capital groups buying into the industry over the past decade: we often report these acquisitions and purchases in the newsletter. Just last week, we shared a story on Fairwave Holdings purchasing the North Carolina-based Black & White Roasters.
“These interests, more often than not, are a scourge against collective wellbeing for the people who work hard in local communities to make great coffee happen,” Perez said.
Read the full story from Daily Coffee News here.
