The Songwa Estates partners, La Marzocco, Mahlkönig and Probat, leading coffee equipment manufacturers based in Europe, announce 2018 investments for Hands for Songwa.

Following the construction and inauguration of wells with platforms and pumps in 2017, proceeds from Hands for Songwa (a percentage of the sale of products manufactured by the partners) will be donated in 2018 towards additional wells to ensure that members of the community residing near the
Songwa coffee farm have access to clean water. This year, the project will also cover costs for the construction of a new primary school building in the nearby village of Idugumbi.

Why Hands for Songwa? To accomplish more. Like coffee, the dedicated and passionate people who work the farm are a precious resource. For this reason, the partners carefully select projects that aim to improve and support the farm and its immediate community.

Are you interested in travelling to origin? Learn more about the coffee seminars that are arranged each year on the farm: www.songwa-estates.com.

Emmerich, Germany, January 2018: Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery, successfully started its anniversary year with a special celebration dinner for customers and partners during the IICF Awards ceremony on January 19, 2018.

The IICF is this year’s first major show for the global coffee industry and the premier Indian coffee event. Being held at the Lalit Ashok Hotel in Bangalore, the festival provided the perfect setting for Germany-based Probat to kick off its anniversary year. On the occasion of this special jubilee, Probat, together with its Indian subsidiary Probat Kaapi, invited customers and partners to a special celebration dinner held during the IICF Awards ceremony. Showing the company’s 150th anniversary movie, Wim Abbing, CEO Probat took the opportunity to thank all attendants for the excellent cooperation in the past: “For one and a half centuries and four generations of family business we have been offering future-proof coffee solutions worldwide. The India International Coffee Festival provides the ideal surrounding to mark the beginning of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Probat. On this occasion I would also like to thank you for your contribution to our successful partnership in the past.“

Probat - Made in India
Probat has got a long history on the Indian coffee market, going back more than 50 years. In 2012 the company entered a joint venture with Indian Kaapi Machines Ltd., naming it Probat Kaapi. Only three years later, the service and distribution center for the Indian market was turned into a new roasting machine production facility. The Probatone roasters that are entirely assembled at the Probat Kaapi manufacturing site in Bangalore have batch size capacities of 5, 12 and 25 kg, with the same construction specifications and components used in Europe. The fact that the Probatone roasting machines are completely made locally, makes them more attractive for customers in India due to a lot of favorable factors. Also, Probat Kaapi`s high quality service, reliable and fast support is further guaranteed in the well-known kind by Probat`s extensive stock of spare parts and the know-how of its Indian technicians.

Probat at the IIICF Expo
At the IICF Expo, Probat presented a Probatone 12 to the Indian coffee expert audience, visiting the show.With its unique anniversary design, the shop roaster with an hourly output of 40kg was the centerpiece of the Probat booth. During the IICF workshop sessions, conducted by experienced coffee instructors, participants had the chance to build skills in various fields of coffee and interact with specialists. In his handson workshop, Marcel Knitter, Technology & Training Probat, allowed a deeper insight into the issue of “Modern Profile Roasting”, outlining crucial factors for a homogeneous roasting process.

Stay informed about the Probat anniversary celebrations at www.probat150.com

Save the date: Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ at the Probat company
headquarters in Emmerich from September 19 - 20, 2018

Emmerich, Germany, February 2018: The Probat staff donates the proceeds of their tombola once again for a charitable purpose: 2000 euros will be donated to the hospice association Herzenswunsch Niederrhein e.V.

It has become a matter truly dear to the hearts of the Probat employees to collect donations for a charitable purpose once a year. Different local institutions and charitable associations were able to receive financial support from the Probat staff in the past. This year, the amount of 2000 euros which was gathered through an internal tombola will be donated to the hospice association Herzenswunsch Niederrhein, supporting the entirely voluntary work of the association.

Dr. Reinhold Kohls, initiator and co-founder of Herzenswunsch Niederrhein e.V., talks about an “alliance of good hearts” when he describes the people who meet in different constellations over and over again to fulfill the wishes of others who live with a life-shortening disease or severe disabilities. Fulfilling these people’s long-cherished dreams is the primary objective of the hospice association which is based in Kleve and whose work also includes relatives who are burdened by the illness of family members.

Paivi Strunk, representative for all Probat employees, and CEO Wim Abbing thanked Dr. Reinhold Kohls in a joint appointment for the outstanding efforts made by the association: “We are very glad to support the immensely important and, in this case, very special work of the hospice association and therefore to be indirectly involved in the fulfillment of long-cherished wishes.”

Emmerich, Germany, April 21, 2018: Probat, world market leader for roasting plants and machinery for the coffee industry, celebrates its 150th anniversary with a memorable employee party on the MS RheinEnergie, Europe’s leading event ship.

After the catamaran had left Emmerich in the early evening, going up the Rhine, Wim Abbing, CEO Probat, addressed the 900 invited guests with an emotional opening speech: ”We are here today, to celebrate us, Probat, our tradition and achievements. For it is the people and their stories, who shape the company, but also get shaped by it.”

Abbing took the attendees on a journey through 15 decades of company history, surprising with anecdotes, which had been unknown even to longtime coworkers. For example, he talked about a correspondence between the philosophers Marx and Engels, in which they mentioned the company founder Theodor von Gimborn. His son, Carl von Gimborn, apparently was an acquaintance of the American industrialist John D. Rockefeller. About Theodor’s grandson Hans von Gimborn, he knew, that the latter discovered neon light during one of his travels to the USA and brought it back home to Emmerich, thus literally bringing light into the darkness of the production facilities. Concluding his address, Abbing appealed to the audience to not rest on laurels in spite of an unprecedented order intake, but to continually face any future challenges and to offer innovative and individual customer solutions.

Following the official part, two live bands and a DJ took the stage and provided an atmosphere, which kept the party guests in high spirit lasting into the small hours.

Probat 150 - Connecting Markets
The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ is certainly going to be the most remarkable jubilee event. On this occasion, leaders and executives of the international coffee industry will come together at the company’s headquarters in Germany on September 19 - 20, 2018 to share their knowledge with each other. The two-day event will stand out for its thought-provoking key note speeches and innovative think tanks accompanied by exciting breakout sessions.

The Probat anniversary’s microsite: probat150.com
To keep all coffee enthusiasts informed about the Probat Coffee Symposium and the whole anniversary year in detail, the company has created a microsite. At www.probat150.com any information regarding all events evolving around the jubilee can be found here. This web presence gets permanently updated and is directly linked to various social media platforms where people can post Probat anniversary related stories tagging them with #probat150.

Emmerich, Germany, June 20, 2018: Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery, presents itself with a special booth design at World of Coffee Amsterdam in hall 8, booth B27 from June 21 - 23, 2018.

World of Coffee, the essential event for coffee professionals, travels to a different European city each June. Taking place in the cultural capital of the Netherlands this year, again Probat picks up the theme and invites visitors of the show to its booth with a unique design, creating a typical Dutch atmosphere.

The centrepiece of the Probat presentation in Amsterdam is a shop roaster Probatone 5 with a specially painted hood, showing a picture of the company employees taken back in the early 20th century. The historical motif was chosen on the occasion of Probat’s 150th birthday, which the company celebrates with a number of high-profile coffee events, taking place around the globe.

Probat 150 - Connecting Markets
The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ is certainly going to be the most remarkable milestone event this year. On this occasion, leaders and executives of the international coffee industry will come together at the company’s headquarters in Germany on September 19 - 20, 2018 to share their knowledge with each other. The two-day event will stand out for its thought-provoking key note speeches and innovative think tanks accompanied by exciting breakout sessions. Visitors of World of Coffee are invited to conclude their trade fair day by joining a get-together at the Probat booth starting at 5.00pm every day during the show.

Stay informed about the Probat anniversary celebrations at www.probat150.com

Save the date: Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ at the Probat company headquarters in Emmerich from September 19 - 20, 2018

Emmerich, Germany, November 20, 2018: A total of ten jubilarians and future retirees were honored last Friday at the Museum of Coffee Technology of PROBAT for their decades of service.

The President and CEO of Probat Wim Abbing and the chairman of the works council Gerhard Gertsen thanked the jubilarians and the departing employees for the good cooperation and their commitment over the years in presence of the invited guests. One colleague celebrated her 25-year-long and six colleagues their 40-year-long employment with Probat, and one jubilarian was retired together with three other colleagues.
At the beginning of his address, Wim Abbing emphasized the great importance the annual jubilarian and farewell celebration holds for him personally and for Probat, especially in the year of the 150th anniversary: “It is the employees that make up the company, then and now. Therefore, it is the stories of people’s encounters and their togetherness that we celebrate today.” Regarding the company’s identity, Abbing is convinced: “Probat is much more than just a machine manufacturer. The passion for coffee, the fascination for technology and the openness of our employees towards our customers is what Probat stands for".

Finally, he turned to this year’s jubilarians and soon-to-be retirees with the request to pass on the know-how they gathered over decades to the following generations in order to secure it for the future.

The chairman of the works council of Probat Gerhard Gertsen directed words of gratitude towards the honored colleagues for their long-lasting loyalty. He wished the retiring employees all the best for their future and appealed to them to take breaks in the new phase of their lives, given the quickly passing time. He emphasized his request with a quote from Wilhelm Busch: “Time goes by at a rapid pace, and we keep pace with it.”

Following the official ceremony, the jubilarians and prospective retirees celebrated with their guests and all colleagues in the social building of PROBAT.

Emmerich, Germany, January 2018: Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery, celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2018. The jubilee will be accompanied by a number of international events taking place throughout the whole year. The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ - held in September - is going to be the highlight of the anniversary festivities.

This year will be a very special one for the pioneer in the field of coffee processing technology. Germany-based Probat is celebrating its 150th anniversary and is dedicating all of 2018 to it. Various highlights for customers, employees and coffee enthusiasts all over the world are accompanying this extraordinary birthday throughout the year. A number of international trade show participations will eventually culminate in the anniversary’s highlight, the Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’.

Probat 150 - Connecting Markets
The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ certainly is going to be the most remarkable anniversary event, taking place at the company’s headquarters in Germany on September 19 - 20. On this occasion, leaders and executives of the international coffee industry will come together to share their knowledge with each other. Participants will also have plenty of opportunity for inspiring discussions and networking activities. The two-day event will stand out for its mindblowing key note speeches and innovative think-tanks accompanied by exciting breakout sessions. The Probat headquarters in Emmerich are going to be the key meeting place for the international coffee industry on September 19 - 20, 2018.

A personal note from Wim Abbing
Probat CEO Wim Abbing addresses the global coffee industry to join the celebrations of the company’s anniversary: „Probat stands for a great passion for coffee combined with a fascination with technology. Our products and services have been shaping the market for one and a half centuries and four generations. I warmly invite the coffee industry to be part of the Probat 150th anniversary festivities.“

The Probat anniversary’s microsite: probat150.com
To keep all coffee enthusiasts informed about the Probat Coffee Symposium and the whole anniversary year in detail, the company has created a microsite. At www.probat150.com any information regarding all events evolving around the jubilee can be found here, getting permanently updated. Also this web presence will be directly linked to various social media platforms where people can post Probat anniversary related information tagging them with #probat150.

Save the date: Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ at the Probat company headquarters in Emmerich from September 19 - 20, 2018

Emmerich, Germany, March 2018: Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery marks its anniversary year with a special event for customers and partners during the Annual Convention of the National Coffee Association (NCA) on March 16, 2018.

Earlier this year Probat rang in its 150th anniversary commemorations with a special celebration dinner for customers and partners at IICF, India’s leading coffee event. The kickoff on the Indian peninsula was now followed by a sister event at the NCA’s Annual Convention on March 16, 2018. Alongside its American subsidiary Probat Inc., German-based Probat invited customers and partners to a reception commemorating 150 years at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans where this year`s NCA Annual Convention took place.

Probat 150 year commemoration reception
After his opening address, Wim Abbing, CEO Probat, presented the company’s 150th anniversary movie. The film portrait took attendees on a comprehensive trip through 150 years of manufacture of roasting plants and machinery, providing an insight into four generations of family business. The official part of the event was then concluded by John Fortin, President Probat Inc., who expressed his gratitude for the excellent cooperation between Probat and its North American customers: “This year is a very special one for Probat, as the company celebrates its 150th anniversary with various events all over the world. Within a much shorter but relevant time frame, Probat Inc. has enjoyed very loyal partnerships with its North American customers and thus has made a great contribution to Probat‘s worldwide success. I would like to specifically thank all our North American customers, partners and friends who took time out of their schedules to help Probat commemorate this significant milestone in its history by attending this reception.“

Probat at the NCA Annual Convention
Many international coffee professionals consider the NCA to be ‘the voice of coffee’, referring to the Annual Convention as the industry’s premiere networking and educational event. For Probat the NCA Annual Convention serves as an important connecting point, thus offering the perfect backdrop for a special reception on the occasion of the company’s 150th anniversary.

Probat 150 - Connecting Markets
The receptions at the IICF and the NCA Annual Convention are two of a number of milestones, which Probat sets in its anniversary year. The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ is certainly going to be the most remarkable jubilee event. On this occasion, leaders and executives of the international coffee industry will come together at the company’s headquarters in Germany on September 19 - 20, 2018 to share their knowledge with each other. The two-day event will stand out for its thought-provoking key note speeches and innovative think tanks accompanied by exciting breakout sessions.

Stay informed about the Probat anniversary celebrations at www.probat150.com
Save the date: Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ at the Probat company headquarters in Emmerich from September 19 - 20, 2018

Emmerich, Germany, April 2018: Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery, presents itself with a special booth design at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Seattle from April 19 - 22, 2018. This year the focus of the company’s trade show appearance lies particularly on its 150th anniversary celebrations.

Following the special ceremonies for customers and partners at the IICF and the NCA’s Annual Convention, German-based Probat – represented by its American subsidiary Probat Inc. – now takes visitors of the exposition on a trip through time, covering 150 years of company history.
At America’s premier specialty coffee industry event, Probat shows an antique ball roaster, dating back from the late 19th century, thus emphasizing the company’s decade-long expertise in the manufacture of high-quality coffee processing technology. The booth, the walls of which are adorned with historic photographs, provides the perfect backdrop for this very special exhibit and the presentation of the Probat 150th anniversary movie which was especially made on the occasion of the company’s jubilee. This film portrait provides a comprehensive insight into four generations of family-owned business.

Probat 150 - Connecting Markets
Probat sets a number of milestones in its anniversary year with various high-profile events for the international coffee industry. The Probat Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ is certainly going to be the most remarkable one. On this occasion, leaders and executives of the international coffee industry will come together at the company’s headquarters in Germany on September 19 - 20, 2018 to share their knowledge with each other. The two-day event will stand out for its thought-provoking key note speeches and innovative think tanks accompanied by exciting breakout sessions.

Stay informed about the Probat anniversary celebrations at www.probat150.com
Save the date: Coffee Symposium ‘Connecting Markets’ at the Probat company headquarters in Emmerich from September 19 - 20, 2018

Emmerich, Germany, October, 2018: On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Probat, world market and technology leader for coffee roasting plants and machinery, invited the international coffee industry to its headquarters in Germany on September 19 and 20 to discuss the sector’s trends and requirements.

The PROBAT 150 Coffee Symposium Connecting Markets wasn’t only the highlight of the company’s 150th anniversary celebrations, but also the coffee industry event of the year. More than 500 leaders and executives of the international coffee industry gathered at the two-day conference, to share their knowledge with each other.

Inspiring keynote speeches by reputable names of the coffee sector such as Marco Lavazza, Hans Melotte, Scott Rao, Ric Rhinehart and Tim Wendelboe, were accompanied by thought-provoking panel discussions. International representatives from science and research, coffee associations and coffee processing companies evaluated how to enable the coffee industry to tackle future challenges and to pursue sustainability-oriented policies.

The PROBAT Experience Session formed the supporting program of the symposium: at various stations, specially set up for this purpose, the company demonstrated its innovation leadership and engineering competence.

The Probat 150 Coffee Symposium Connecting Markets was moderated by Michal Molčan, founder of the specialty coffee magazine Standart, who guided through the specialty coffee day, followed by David Foxwell, editor of Coffee & Cocoa International, who took the lead on the coffee industry day.

The evening events which took place following the sessions on each day, offered ample opportunity for intensive networking in an exclusive atmosphere.

Wim Abbing, CEO Probat, concluded the event: “Celebrating 150 years of Probat means celebrating the people who made Probat what you see here today. We celebrate the generations of our founding families, our employees‘ families, and particularly the often generation-spanning relationships with you, our customers. Emmerich is most certainly no metropolis. Today, though, our guests have made it the hub of the coffee universe.“

Read all about the Probat anniversary celebrations at www.probat150.com