Hola, it’s Douglas Weber here.
I wanted to kick off our new blog section with a personal note as I reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going as a company. Ten years ago, I never would have imagined finding so many people who share my passion for elevating coffee into something truly meaningful. It’s incredible to see how this community has grown and how much it continues to inspire us every day.
Our team spans the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and the Philippines. This pic was from our team outing in Southern Japan, where I live, last May.
See About Us PageWe’ve built products we’re proud of over the years, and there are so many more ideas we can’t wait to share with you. But one thing has remained constant: none of it would be possible without you—the people willing to invest your hard-earned money in what we offer, often without having seen it in person first. That trust and belief fuel everything we do.
As we grow, building with integrity remains at the core of who we are. This goes beyond designing thoughtful products or assembling an international team of like-minded creators; it also extends to the very foundation of how and where we manufacture. We prioritize keeping production in regions like Taiwan and other democratic, ethically aligned territories. This isn’t just a logistical decision—it’s a deliberate choice to ensure that your money does not trickle back to dictatorships or governments with questionable international ethics, including those supporting invasions or undermining global peace.
There's a lot of discussion around farmers and bean supply integrity, but the same conversation about machines is too often overlooked.
These decisions come at a cost, but we believe it’s worth it—just like supporting your local roaster who sources beans directly from farms that treat their workers well. The same care and responsibility should apply to your coffee equipment as much as your coffee beans.
A big perk for most of our Taiwan staff is that they no longer need to spend half their time in mainland China factories to work on Apple or Google products -- they help bring manufacturing back to their island. Even though I live in Japan, I can be there in a couple of hours whenever needed.
I chose to set up our own company in Taiwan for many reasons. Geographically it is close to me in Southern Japan, so I can be there on a moment's notice when needed. There is also an abundance of great engineering resources in Taiwanese engineers that have spent the past decade or two helping companies like Apple and Google manufacture in mainland China. We've brought them back to Taiwan where they can spend time with their families and help bring manufacturing back to their island. Having the manufacturing backbone for semiconductors and high-end bicycles, making next level coffee equipment was the logical next step.
In May of 2024 we finally got our own building in Golden, CO. Here Sam can be seen organizing and pulling product from our racking system. Fun fact: our warehouse used to be a food photography studio!
In May of 2024, after a couple years of fruitless searching, we finally acquired our own HQ building in Golden, CO. Beautiful environs, centralized location for US fulfillment, and a thriving coffee community were the deciding factors. In addition to being our business hub, it's a place I look forward to visiting regularly. Fully-operational now, we have 3 full-time coffee geeks on staff getting products around the US, as well as developing in tandem with our worldwide team the next generation of WW gear. We'll also be using the space to host events for the greater Denver area coffee community, in addition to allowing prospective clients come and try out our equipment.
We're still working with the same companies we started with 10 years ago. Companies that we knew from a decade prior to that. Here Eddie, our QC manager, is showing Sophia the torque specs on the BIRD assembly.
As you can see, we’re not a massive corporation churning out cheap products in faceless factories. We’re a small, dedicated team working hard to create meaningful products built to last. Our relationships with factory owners span decades, allowing us to maintain the transparency and quality control we insist on.
This is right behind my design studio in Kyushu. Seeing single-use plastic waste wash up daily, we're committed to removing all unnecessary plastics from our products.
Your support makes this possible. It keeps us motivated to keep innovating, building, and refining—all with the integrity we promised from the start. We’re grateful for every customer who believes in what we’re doing. Together, we’re showing that thoughtful craftsmanship and ethical business practices can thrive in a world that often prioritizes shortcuts and convenience.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
- Douglas Weber
