Nespresso, part of Nestlé Group, produces coffee capsules for espresso and coffee. The brand's machines are popular worldwide, with annual sales exceeding 3 billion Swiss francs.
Luigi Bezzera invented the espresso coffee machine in 1901, which inspired the development of a company focused on delivering barista-style coffee anywhere and everywhere.
In 1975, Eric Favre, an employee of Nestlé, invented the Nespresso system after noticing a coffee bar in Rome with a unique method of preparing coffee. The system involved sealed coffee pods that kept the coffee fresh and ensured greater aeration during brewing.
Eric Favre filed the first patent for Nespresso at the Nestlé research lab in 1976, aiming to strengthen Nestlé's position in the coffee market.
Nespresso was founded over thirty years ago with the goal of creating exceptional coffee for everyone. This core concept continues to guide the company, combining past triumphs with a vision for the future.
In 1982, Nespresso shifted its focus towards the restaurant and office market, expanding its target audience beyond just home consumers.
In 1986, Nestlé established Nespresso SA as an independent company. Initially, sales were disappointing until Jean-Paul Gaillard became CEO and implemented changes in the business model.
In 1990, Nestlé signed a contract with Turmix to sell Nespresso machines in Switzerland, leading to further collaborations with other companies like Krups, Magimix, and De'Longhi.
In 1991, Nespresso expanded into the Swiss household market and introduced the Nespresso Club, offering the ultimate coffee experience to its customers.
In 1991, Nespresso expanded its market internationally, reaching consumers beyond its original region and gaining global recognition.
In 1992, Nespresso system was introduced in the Swiss household market in partnership with Turmix. This marked the beginning of Nespresso's presence in the coffee industry.
In 1996, Nespresso introduced the C-250/554 machine with automatic features and a new Thermobloc, revolutionizing the household sector. This marked a significant breakthrough in Nespresso's product innovation.
In 1996, Nespresso launched its first Internet site to promote its coffee expertise and products. This platform later evolved into a key brand showcase and sales channel for Nespresso.
In 1997, Nespresso launched its first advertising campaign, increasing brand visibility and attracting more customers to its products.
In 1999, Nespresso introduced Nespresso Professional, a business-to-business line offering dedicated machines and coffee varieties for small offices and the premium foodservice sector.
In 2000, Nespresso opened its first boutique in Paris, introducing a new corporate identity with a refined logo and a 'shop-in-shop' concept for increased brand exposure.
In 2002, Nespresso expanded its production capacity by opening a dedicated Nespresso Production Centre in Orbe, Switzerland, along with opening more Nespresso boutiques in major cities.
In 2003, Nespresso introduced the advanced C250/554 machine with automatic features and a new thermobloc, marking a breakthrough in the household sector.
In 2004, Nespresso launched the Essenza machine, which introduced the innovative top loading drop-in capsule concept that influenced all subsequent Nespresso coffee machine designs.
In 2005, Nespresso introduced Volluto as the first 100% AAA-sourced coffee blend in their range. This blend aimed to offer customers a unique and high-quality coffee experience.
In March 2006, a public relations pitch was made for Nespresso, a brand under Nestlé, to promote its products and enhance its image.
In 2007, Nespresso opened its first flagship boutique in Paris on the Champs-Elysees, marking a significant milestone for the brand. This move allowed Nespresso to showcase its products in a prestigious location and cater to a wider audience.
In November 2009, Nespresso expanded its market presence to 50 countries and increased its workforce to over 2,500 employees.
In April 2010, Philippe Silberzahn analyzed whether Nespresso was vulnerable to low-end disruption, highlighting threats such as competition, environmental concerns, and a perceived snobbish image.
In June 2010, Nestle took legal action against Sara Lee over Nespresso coffee makers, aiming to protect its market position and innovations.
In March 2011, the Swiss discount supermarket, Denner, won a court battle with Nestlé over the sale of plastic Nespresso-compatible capsules, at about half the retail price of Nespresso capsules.
In July 2011, Nespresso introduced its new U coffee maker, which was reviewed by Leigh D. Stark.
In August 2011, the Australian company Kogan announced the development of the 'Ez-press', a coffee machine compatible with Nespresso pods.
Dhjana is introduced as the first Limited Edition coffee sourced entirely from AAA quality beans. This signifies a significant milestone in the quality and exclusivity of Nespresso's coffee offerings.
In 2013, Nespresso established the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board (NSAB) to enhance the company's commitment to sustainable development. The board aimed to promote sustainable practices within the company, such as sourcing 84% of coffee from the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Programme and reducing the carbon footprint of Nespresso coffee by 20%.
In February 2014, Nespresso launched the VertuoLine system in the United States and Canada to cater to the demand for larger coffee servings by North Americans. The system offers various cup sizes and uses over 25 blends in specially-designed capsules.
In 2015, Nespresso focused on increasing production capacity to meet growing demand.
In March 2016, Starbucks announced that it would sell Nespresso-compatible capsules in Europe, launching official Starbucks Nespresso capsules in May 2019.
In 2017, Nespresso reported that 82% of its coffee beans were sourced through the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program.
Since June 2018, Nespresso started providing recycling bags to customers free of charge, allowing them to easily return used capsules for recycling. The bags can hold a specific number of capsules and can be dropped off at various locations for recycling.
Nespresso announced a CHF 160 million investment to expand the Romont production center in Switzerland to meet the increasing global consumer demand.
In 2020, Nespresso introduced the Positive Cup strategy, focusing on sustainability goals for coffee sourcing, social welfare, climate change, and aluminium sourcing and recycling. The strategy was supported by a significant investment of CHF 500 million.
In 2022, Nespresso achieved certification as a B Corporation, highlighting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.