Our story LOCATION UK ENGLISH Search APPROACH GROUP CAPABILITIES HISTORY CONTACT US UCC COFFEE EUROPE HISTORY UCC Coffee Europe was created in 2012 following the acquisition of United Coffee by UCC Holdings, Japan - one of the top five largest independent coffee companies. We remain a family-owned company with the same founding principles, which means that our clients enjoy a very close and customised relationship with us, wherever they are and whatever their size. Today, we are focused on coffee excellence, delivered consistently. This is captured in our vision: every coffee, just as it should be. To deliver that, we operate in three distinct regions: North, Central and South. Our eight operating companies, which have a long history of coffee in their local markets are based in these regions. We are headquartered in London where our Group Management team and corporate functions are based including finance, purchasing, engineering, new product development and sustainability. THE UCC COFFEE STORY THE UCC COFFEE STORY The UCC story began in 1933 when an ambitious young man established a western food store in Kobe, Japan. Ueshima Tadao’s passion for all things Western soon led him to discover coffee and such was his passion for this rich, aromatic ‘mysterious beverage’ that he dedicated his life to making coffee popular across Japan. 1933 Ueshima Tadao Shoten was founded in Kobe. 1951 Ueshima Coffee Incorporated is created with the slogan “Sophisticated people love coffee!” 1958 UCC opens its first coffee shop in Hakata, Fukuoka. 1969 UCC developed, manufactured and sold the world’s first canned coffee beverage. 1970 Canned coffee becomes a global sensation after UCC are invited to sell it at the Osaka International Expo. 1972 UCC films the coffee industry’s first television commercial. 1978 Foods Supply International Corporation is created to better serve the restaurant and fast food industries. 1979 UCC creates Japan Hills Coffee Corporation. Sales reach one hundred billion yen within a year. 1981 UCC opens its first directly managed coffee plantation in the Jamaican Blue Mountains. 1984 A local UCC subsidiary is established in Brazil enabling UCC to analyse and approve the quality of its own exported green coffee beans. 1987 The UCC Coffee Museum opens in Kobe. 1988 Food services are integrated into UCC coffee shops and UCC Food Service System Corporation is established. 1989 UCC opens a second directly managed coffee plantation in Hawaii. 1994 Another world first is achieved as ‘UCC Black’ (non-sugar) is introduced to the canned coffee market. 1996 The innovative new ‘Super Aroma System’ is introduced in UCC’s Rokko Island Factory. UCC Hyogo General Factory is the first to achieve the international ISO9002 standard for quality management systems. 2001 UCC enters the single serve coffee market with the introduction of the ‘Keurig Coffee System’. 2004 Through a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, UCC becomes the first company in the Japanese market to sell sustainable coffee. 2007 The UCC Coffee Academy is opened to offer a coffee education and training program to all employees as well as public. 2011 A further on-site office is completed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, enabling UCC experts to inspect the production processes of green beans for UCC. 2012 UCC acquires United Coffee and UCC Europe is born. 2013 The 80th anniversary of UCC Group. 2014 UCC Europe undertakes Significant investment in our factory in France where state of the art technology produces Nespresso®* compatible capsules. * UCC Coffee is an independent producer and is not related to, associated with or connected to Nespresso® or the companies behind that brand in any way. 2019 UCC Coffee Europe restructures into three distinct regions to create efficiency, utilise skills and provide a consistent brand and customer experience across all major European markets. The European business announces its new vision: 'every coffee, just as it should be' and collective focus on coffee excellence delivered consistently. DISCOVER MORE ABOUT US... OUR CAPABILITIES We offer a total coffee solution tailored to the needs of your business and your customers. We work across the whole value chain from seed to sip, delivering high-quality private label roasting, coffee brands, espresso equipment and support services. Discover More... OUR GROUP With local teams based in all of Europe's major coffee markets, we deliver relevant market-leading products and services in local markets and collaborate with businesses across geographies. Discover More... PRODUCTS We offer a comprehensive range products. From single-serve capsules, whole bean, roast and ground, ready to drink and the world's best espresso machines. Discover More... OUR CUSTOMERS With a unique approach to delivering coffee excellence, we partner with many of Europe's leading retailers, out-of-home brands and foodservice companies. Working across multiple industry sectors and markets, we deliver coffee excellence, no matter the size or scale of your business. Discover More... COFFEE EXCELLENCE. GUARANTEED. LET'S TALK... Call our European Head Office in London or fill in your details below* +44 (0) 20 8799 4370 If you are human, leave this field blank. SELECT COUNTRY ▾ SEND Privacy and Cookie Statement Legal Modern Slavery Statement 2020 ©2018 UCC EUROPE LTD. All rights reserved.