HOST/FieraMilano

admin

This has been one of the big events in the world coffee calendar, in past years - just wondered if anyone's going to the event this October?

A

FreshCoffee2

Yes, its on every two years at this time (biennial???) for the trade. Not  a retail event. Just got back. My first gut impression is that far fewer fledgling business people attended this time, in contrast to the past few Hosts.  These would be the small or new operators who go around the show tying up exclusive agencies for various products for the purpose of tying the product up for themselves and NOT letting anyone else have it. Thing is this practice eventually backfires on them (small but "exclusive agents") when the manufacturer wakes up some time down the track and asks where all the promised unit sales have gone....manufactureres want to maximise their production, not stifle it. Its the trouble with small operators trying to present at large international events like this as being far bigger than they really are, and its possible the poor state of many economies is keeping this group of people away from HOST this time around. And reading between the lines I would say there are quite a few espresso machine manufacturers proceeding rather slowly at the moment. Nothing much new, business is tough, manufacturers trying to impress by WOWing the market by developing and presenting ever fancier, way out styling (to the point where it gets in the way of something being able to do the job for which it is intended ie cafe coffee making workhorse). Colourful LED lighting is abundant in styling this year. Very crowded through to the second last day, the last day was close to dead. Unseasonably warm over there at the moment, they have the same problems we have with global warming and erratic weather etc. Just a random thought or two.

SniffCoffee

Nice to hear your thoughts Attilio about HOST And nice to hear from you generally now that you're no longer around on CS. Sniff

FreshCoffee2

Thanks for that  A small selection of fotos. The two entitled "Not a ..." are giants. The grinder stands over 6 foot tall with corresponding large exit shute and yes, that's its electric/electronic controller on the RHS of the person holding it all up (that said....its only a small industrial grinder), and the brewer has a group around 300 mm or more in diameter. Host 000 is a pair of buildings built on the lean. The one on the right leans towards us.....dunno how they do that stuff!

Koffee_Kosmo

Now that's a coffee table  :thumb: [attachimg=1] KK 

hiphipharar

on 1382932544:

Now that's a coffee table  :thumb: KK

It's actually a Jacobs aircraft engine with a piece of glass attached but, yes, it does make an impressive coffee table (even though it would be a heavy mother to move).

admin

on 1382932544:

Now that's a coffee table  :thumb: [attachimg=1] KK

Brilliant!