INDUSTRY PROFILE
WKSHOP Head of Coffee Paul Golding is excited to offer new blends at competitive prices.
Destined to thrive
With rising coffee prices and a heightened level of market uncertainty, BeanScene speaks with WKSHOP to understand how the private label roaster helps take businesses to the next level of growth.
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he past two years have been challenging for hospitality business owners, facing COVID restrictions, increasing supply chain issues, not to mention rising prices of green bean and freight. Dramatic cost increases are impacting every sector of the industry and more than ever, James Rodger, WKSHOP Director, says businesses are going through a rethink. “Café operators and roasters have been through a tough season and are questioning what the future looks like. In that reflection, they realise they now need a roasting partner who will walk them through the next season, support them, help maintain profitability, and provide them with a better offer – and that’s where WKSHOP can help them shine,” James says. WKSHOP Head of Coffee Paul Golding says the main concern operators have is around loss of already thin earnings, and loss of customers if prices are raised to keep pace with the increased costs. “Business with a long-term view and strong financial organisation expect price
fluctuation and can budget accordingly. It’s also important to make consumers aware of the increase in costs. This is no great mystery to the public today, and most people are primed for higher prices at the till. It might not be welcome, but the reasoning is well understood,” Paul says. WKSHOP’s goal is to use its experience, relationships, and array of procurement and logistics strategies to minimise the increase, and spread it out over time while still offering consistent, high-quality origin coffees and blends to wholesale customers. “While others might be raising prices or pulling back, we are looking to welcome more wholesale customers and offer blends with plenty of bang for the buck,” Paul says. “I am always excited around sourcing time. Even in difficult times like these, are opportunities to explore new coffees, find new solutions, and widen our range of offering. This year I have been forced to find novel solutions for problems around shipping, crop shortages and quality issues. I think we are now in a very strong
position to offer a range of very exciting blends at prices that will surprise many enquirers.” New single origins are available
WKSHOP Director James Rodger is passionate about supporting customers and workshopping their businesses.
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