Thirty years of Kicking Horse Coffee: the story of a big dream that started in a garage

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From a small coffee roastery that began life in a garage in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains to a North American leader in organic coffee: Kicking Horse Coffee turns 30. Three decades of unparalleled energy, courage and vision for a brand with a distinctive personality that joined our Group in 2017.

It all started in 1996 in Invermere, in the heart of British Columbia. The founders, Elana Rosenfeld and Leo Johnson, decided to set up a coffee roastery unlike any other and to dream big. They launched their artisan business in a small garage, experimenting with the art of roasting and blending coffee grown using natural methods. What came out of that workshop was not only an excellent product, but also an authentic, strong and uncompromising spirit that has remained intact to this day, 30 years on.

To mark this significant milestone, the Kicking Horse Coffee team made their way to Invermere for the “Roots & Ridgelines” event - three days of sharing that brought together colleagues from all over the world to celebrate this journey and chart a course for the future.

Kicking Horse Coffee has built its success on people. What began as a small group working out of a garage is now a team of nearly 160 staff across Canada, supported by a work environment recognised with Great Place to Work® certification for 10 consecutive years. This focus on people is directly reflected in the product: right from the outset, the brand has aimed to offer outstanding coffee that benefits both the planet and the people who grow it. Today, the entire range is only Fairtrade and only organic, demonstrating a commitment to the social and environmental responsibility that forms the cornerstone of the brand’s identity.

A commitment to sustainability, quality in the cup and responsible business practices are the shared values that, in 2017, led naturally to Kicking Horse Coffee joining forces with our Group. This integration has successfully valued and protected the bold spirit of the Canadian brand, at the same time as offering it the strength and stability of a global perspective.

“Kicking Horse Coffee is proof of how a company can grow and become a market leader while remaining fiercely loyal to its roots”, said Andrea Chiaramello, CEO Kicking Horse Coffee. “The pursuit of quality, combined with respect for the environment and for people, is now a fundamental pillar of our shared identity. Celebrating this 30-year milestone means looking to the future with the same energy as ever, ready to continue writing new chapters in an extraordinary story.”