Our History
1896
After having his first cup of what he would describe for the rest of his life as "really good coffee" during a trip to Vienna, Hieronimus Weber starts a coffee roasting company in Göttingen, Germany, which would later become the Webersche Kaffeerösterei GmbH.
1920s
In the roaring 20s, the German Coffee market continues to grow. Webersche Kafferösterei is at the forefront the boom, enabling the masses to enjoy the delights of delicious coffee.
1956
During the German Wirtschaftswunder, Josef Schäffer, grandfather of current X-Presso CEO Dr. Utz Schäffer capitalizes on the growing number of German coffee drinkers. Based in the industrial town of Stuttgart, his company, Kaffeemaschinen Schäffer (KMS), sells its first coffee machine.
The KMS "Universal Coffeematic" is a high-tech coffee percolator. It becomes a sales hit and is now considered to be the foundation of KMS' success story.
1970s
After attending several industry events together, first tentative steps are made towards a cooperation between KMS and WKR.
1990s
During the celebration of WKR's 100th birthday in 1996, WKR managing director Dr. Jürgen Weber and KMS managing director Dr. Utz Schäffer have a fateful conversation about the future of coffee.
Anticipating the trend, in the late 1990s, WKR and KMS start developing a capsule machine system together. WKR supplies its coffee roasting expertise, while KMS adds its manufacturing prowess.
2008
WKR and KMS merge. Dr. Schäffer becomes CEO of the new entity called X-Presso AG while Dr. Weber becomes Chairman.
Dr. Weber's daughter Ms. Manuela Weber takes on the position as WKR's managing director and Dr. Marko Reimer becomes KMS' managing director.
The capsule machine is launched onto the market to great acclaim, providing German consumers with great-tasting coffee in a handy format.
2009
Expanding its operations, X-Presso AG opens a manufacturing plant in Yunnan Province, China. Administration of X-Presso China is lead by Kai Boehme from Shanghai. The plant produces X-Presso capsule machines for the Chinese market.
Today
What makes X-Presso special are its commitment to high quality coffee and coffee machines and its strong family values.
Today, X-Presso AG is successful in Germany and China, where it sells its capsule system.
Webersche Kaffeerösterei sells its coffee, espresso and specialty beans to hundreds of small independent coffee houses and specialty stores and ground espresso through major retailers.
Kaffeemaschinen Schäffer sells its portfolio of coffee machines through major electronics retailers.