Europe’s Evoca and China’s Macas enter joint venture for coffee vending machines in Asia

European manufacturing giant Evoca SpA and China’s Guangzhou Macas Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. said they have entered into a joint venture agreement to produce high-quality coffee vending machines for fast-growing markets in China and other parts of Asia. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter.

The agreement brings together two leading protagonists in the field of coffee equipment, Evoca said.

Macas is a Guangzhou-based coffee vending machine maker with a strong R&D culture. It is reportedly one of the few companies to offer bean-to-cup brewing machines made in China.

Macas has a special expertise in digital technologies related to GUI, cashless payments and cloud-based machine management specific to Asian markets.

Based in Bergamo, Italy, Evoca is a world-leading manufacturer of professional coffee machines, with a particular focus on bean-to-cup espresso coffee.

Evoca sells its products in over 140 countries, with subsidiaries throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Its equipment brands include Saeco, Gaggia Milano and Necta.

“Evoca and its well-known brands have been present in the Asian market for well over 20 years,” said Evoca chief executive Andrea Zocchi. “We think the time is right to establish an operating platform in China to provide a faster response to market needs and to promote research and product development that is specific to this region.”

Macas managing director Mr. Shengeng “Harding” Li added, “We are delighted to partner with

Evoca, [which is] the leading manufacturer of out-of-home coffee machines in Europe and [has] great experience in coffee vending. Our combined teams will be in a strong position to lead the market for coffee vending, using both Evoca’s and Macas’ strengths.”