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Five benefits of partnering with a great coffee machine supplier

Alex | November 4, 2024

Coffee not only provides your team with a vital boost during the working day, but it also helps to power productivity, build connections, and create a vibrant and engaging workplace culture. With over 98 million cups enjoyed daily across the UK, coffee is one of our favourite drinks, and it’s an office perk that people increasingly expect.

In surveys, having access to premium barista-style coffee machines for offices comes top among office perks, along with access to fresh filtered water, free tea, and snacks. Plus, people expect to be able to enjoy the same choice and quality of coffee that they receive on the high street.

Having a commercial coffee machine for the office has become the norm as they’re affordable and reliable and brew up a wide variety of great-tasting coffees – some even make delicioushot chocolates too. As coffee machine technology has developed, machines can now cater for the increasing number of people who favour plant-based milk by offering dual milk functionality. Other machines come with multiple hoppers, so you can give your team a choice of up to four different coffee beans. Our most innovative machines allow users to order their coffee through an app on their mobile devices, so you can order your coffee, and it’s ready there, waiting for you!

But when it comes to choosing the right office coffee machine to meet your team’s unique needs, one of your priorities should be finding the right business to partner with.

Here’s how working with the right office coffee machine supplier can make a real difference to your workplace and why it’s worth spending time doing your research before you sign on the dotted line.

coffee cups

1) Expert guidance

Navigating the variety of coffee machine options available today can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of makes and models, so firstly, you’ll want to choose a reputable, well-regarded brand name.

Top brands include Jura, known for their reliable and sleek commercial coffee machines, and Egro, which offers robust and high-volume machines like the F5 Egro Next, which is ideal for large teams. La Cimbali machines are a great choice for coffee purists as they provide an authentic Italian espresso experience.

A reputable supplier can guide you through these brand choices, taking into account factors such as office size, available space, frequency of use, budget, team preferences, and more.

When choosing your supplier, consider their experience in the industry and research them online. Quick searches can reveal online reviews from real customers, so you’ll get a better understanding of what to expect when you choose to partner with your coffee machine supplier.

coffee machine
Discover More: What are the benefits of premium coffee machines over cheaper versions?

2) Customer service

A good coffee machine supplier will go beyond just delivering your machine and coffee beans; they’ll provide consistent, high-quality customer support tailored to your workplace needs. Here at FreshGround, we pride ourselves on making customer service a priority, offering each client a dedicated account manager to help with orders, maintenance needs, or any technical support queries.

Our account managers also coordinate regular consumable deliveries, so companies never have to worry about running low on essentials. All of our team are SCA-trained (Speciality Coffee Association), so we understand coffee well. Plus, our team of experts is on hand to make your entire experience as smooth as possible, handling everything from machine setup to troubleshooting issues.

Choosing a supplier with dedicated support means you can focus on running your business, knowing that every detail of your coffee service is covered. Look for a supplier committed to customer satisfaction and one that takes a proactive approach to keeping your coffee machine running smoothly.

3) Reliable maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for keeping the coffee flowing. Every coffee machine that uses milk, especially, needs a daily clean. Modern machines have a simple cleaning process, so caring for them is a breeze. You just have to press a few buttons, and the machine will do the hard work for you.

If maintenance issues arise, you’ll need some kind of cover or a service plan. We offer two levels of service to cater to different workplace needs: Essentials and Complete Care.

Essentials:

This basic service plan is designed to provide reactive support. With the Essentials plan, FreshGround engineers are on call to resolve any issues. It includes routine call-outs and access to our video-based support feature that helps resolve common machine issues without needing an onsite visit.​ It’s an ideal plan for companies that want reliable, highly affordable support without extensive ongoing maintenance.

Complete Care:

The Complete Care plan is FreshGround’s comprehensive service package, offering both proactive and reactive maintenance. It includes planned preventative maintenance every six months, which helps to prevent breakdowns before they occur. This plan also covers filtration management, ensuring the machine delivers clean, great-tasting coffee every time. It also includes machine recalibration and scale reduction filters, which further enhance the machine’s longevity and reliability. For companies that rely heavily on their coffee machines and want maximum peace of mind, Complete Care is the ultimate solution.

The benefits of regular servicing can’t be overstated. In many workplaces, coffee machines see heavy use, and a breakdown can disrupt the day. A survey found that employees spend an average of 16 minutes per coffee run, which, over the course of a year, adds up to several hours spent offsite. By ensuring that machines are regularly maintained and functioning well, service plans help to minimise downtime and keep productivity high.

4) Flexibility to scale

Things in business can change fast. As offices grow, so do your coffee needs. A quality supplier offers flexible options to scale up or adjust coffee solutions as required. FreshGround’s service plans make it easy to transition from one solution to another. For example, if you’re starting with a smaller machine but anticipate growth, a supplier can work with you to add or upgrade machines to accommodate a larger team.

Scaling is particularly relevant in today’s dynamic work environment, where hybrid and remote work arrangements are increasingly common. With many employees being required to return to the office, having premium barista-style coffee options can make the workplace more appealing.

Research shows that nearly three-quarters of UK office workers drink coffee regularly, so providing high-quality, accessible coffee is a way to support a welcoming environment and encourage in-person collaboration. With FreshGround’s flexible rental and service options, we can ensure we meet your needs, no matter how those needs evolve.

green coffee beans

5) Commitment to sustainability

As awareness of sustainability grows, companies are increasingly looking to make ethical choices. Coffee is no exception. By choosing a supplier with a commitment to sustainable practices, your office can ensure that your coffee service aligns with your environmental values.

We offer energy-efficient machines that use ethically sourced coffee beans, helping companies reduce their carbon footprint while supporting responsible supply chains.

In a recent survey, 63% of UK adults reported that they regularly drink coffee, and many of these consumers care deeply about sustainability. This is especially true among younger workers, who are more likely to value eco-friendly practices. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability is increasingly important for offices aiming to attract top talent.

Partnering with a coffee machine supplier that prioritises environmental responsibility not only enhances the coffee experience but also supports the company’s broader ethical goals.

Get in touch

Investing in a reliable coffee machine supplier is about more than just coffee; it’s about creating a workplace that values quality, sustainability, and employee well-being. By partnering with the right supplier, you can enhance workplace culture, boost morale, and make your office a place where people really want to be. To find out more about how we can help you upgrade your coffee game, get in touch with our team.