Bendigo Advertiser Article

EXPANDING: Zoe Ellis with fellow Custom Coffees employees. Picture: PETER WEAVING


Bean demand grows with coffee company

   

CUSTOM Coffees has undergone a major revamp.

The Strickland Road business has expanded its retail section at a cost of $100,000 as demand for its coffee grows. Director Andrew McDonald said the business was roasting about 1.5 tonnes of beans each week.“We took over the building next door,” he said.“We stripped it and turned it into a retail section with a tasting room for customers to sample different types of coffee.“There’s a lot of timber and glass work in the there and it looks pretty good.We’re pretty happy with it.” 
The company has recently added staff and now employs nine people, which Mr McDonald said could expand.“I think it will grow as we get busier,” he said. “The next thing we’re looking to do is buy an $80,000 bagging machine to free up staff. “That’s currently being done manually and it’s a bit onerous.“It will clear another staff member to do other things.”

Custom Coffees was started by Scott and Merrill McLeod in Bendigo’s CBD in 2000. The business has operated from Mayfair Park Estate for a decade and Mr McDonald said domestic sales had grown.“Our coffee goes all over Victoria, to Melbourne and interstate,” he said.“We have about 300 commercial customers in cafes, restaurants, clubs and bars.“They’re our main clients, but domestic sales – people off the street – are growing.”  Mr McDonald said internet sales had also increased.  “That puts pressure on the space in the factory for bagging and packaging,” he said. “Everything is getting busy and we need all the space we can get. “Coffee sales used to be slower in summer than winter, but people are now drinking it all year around. “It’s becoming more and more popular.” 

The latest renovations began about a year ago to free space in the company’s factory. 
Mr McDonald said the business had been the first coffee roaster to operate in regional Victoria.