The History of Olympia Express

In Italy they call it "caffé".

A beautiful accessory to everyday life, cause for a short break. Nothing more; nothing less. In Switzerland people love it. According to statistics from the Swiss Federation of Coffee House Proprietors, the Swiss hold third place in the worldwide raw coffee consumption per head and per year, surpassing even the Italians, the Spanish and the French. Therefore, it comes as no surprise, that one of the oldest espresso machine manufacturers is based in Switzerland. And -- Swiss as they are -- they do not build any kind of espresso machine, but design every single detail, until they have achieved a masterpiece of precision and engineering. Finally they take this little piece of art, give it the typical Swiss Design and call the final result the Olympia Express.

So please take some time to look at the achievements of 80 years of Swiss expresso culture. In our fast-paced world, there is hardly anything more relaxing than to take a breath for a moment and enjoy the wonderful aroma of a "caffé".

Luigi Bresaola: A pioneer of Swiss Espresso Culture

Already by the early 1930s, Luigi Bresaola was designing the first expresso machines for cafés and restaurants in Switzerland. He was an ingenious inventor and among the pioneers of his time. As a draftsman and constructor, he did not rest until his machines could not be further improved. He simply adored the fine art of espresso making. In the 1960s, his son Luigi took over the company, founded in Chiasso in 1928. In the meantime, the small family enterprise also offered espresso machines for home use. They were an enormous success. Combined with their compact size, it was their quality and reliability that caused a steadily increasing demand for the machines -- from London to San Francisco, from Chile to Singapore. At times, Olympia's workshop saw more than 100 employees. When the company experienced a rocky patch during the 1980s and 1990s, it stuck to its philosophy and today concentrates on the production of premium espresso machines and grinders. It is a small, fine company designing outstanding machines for connoisseurs.

Today's espresso lover enjoys the "CREMINA", a sophisticated lever-operated machine. Already by the 1960s, its predecessor, the "CREMINA 67" was complimented by the "New York Times" as "the best espresso machine in the world." All semi-automatic machine connoisseurs will find that the "MAXIMATIC" offers them the taste of delicious espresso in just a few easy steps. And the "MOCA" is the answer for those looking for the perfectly designed espresso grinder.

The Spirit of the founder: No compromise

For more than 80 years, perfect material and workmanship have been top priority at Olympia Express. Each and every tiny detail is constantly rethought and, if necessary, optimized. At the beginning of the 1990s, for example, Olympia Express was the first espresso machine manufacturer to exclusively use chrome steel tanks. Although more expensive, they offer higher quality. And as there are no chrome steel parts available on the market, which can meet the high standards of the engineers, Olympia Express simply designs its own, in its own workshop. Through meticulous craftsmanship and accuracy the whole team strives to make the best espresso machines of all time, every single day.

The same holds true for the design: "form follows function". This basic design principle makes Olympia Express products a perfect example of Swiss design.

The concept of sustainability is an increasingly important issue in our society. This has been the guiding principle for Olympia Express for decades. Olympia Express machines are durable and repairable, with 40-year-old machines still working perfectly and being "vintage" machines, they are much sought-after among enthusiasts.

Of course, more machines could be produced, but that would mean compromising on the attention paid to quality and precision. However, drinking espresso is to some extent a cultural achievement. Olympia Express has been upholding this culture for generations. The passion for Italian espresso merges with the old tradition of Swiss craftsmanship, resulting in a product, which continues to delight its owner over and over again!

	Olympia Express Website: http://www.olympia-express.ch/contact Phone: +41 (91) 646 15 55