Jet Technologies’ fresh opportunities

When it comes to keeping coffee fresh, Jet Technologies’ General Manager Sam Dickson knows what he’s talking about. That knowledge has translated into a leading position for his business in the Australian and New Zealand markets. Now, Dickson is taking his business into uncharted territories. “We see the Indonesian market as our next big opportunity,” Dickson tells Global Coffee Review. “With more than 230 million people, even if that market only grows by 1 or 2 per cent per annum, we see significant opportunities there.” Jet Technologies opened up an office in Jakarta at the beginning of May 2013. Dickson says they are breaking new ground in the Indonesian coffee industry. “We’re selling products that aren’t produced within [Indonesia’s] domestic economy, so the Goglio machinery that we’re offering is brand new there,” he says. But Jet Technologies’ products aren’t the only thing that’s new about their Indonesian venture. “It is a very different way of doing business in Indonesia, which is why we’ve employed local people,” Dickson says, adding that they have two people in their Jakarta office. There is also the issue of adjusting to a whole new system for importation and establishing themselves in a brand new market. While Dickson says the bulk of the coffee consumed in Indonesia is sold as three-in-one – instant coffee blended with milk powder and sweetener – the specialty coffee scene is gaining popularity. “Specialty roasters are looking at equipment like ours so they can offer Italian-style roasted beans and ground coffee,” Dickson says. “Then there’s a few companies in Indonesia that are roasting in one day what Australia would do in two weeks.” While this is Jet Technologies’ first foray into Asia, Dickson already has his eye on the next opportunities in the region, naming Singapore, Vietnam and Japan as likely future targets for expansion. It is in Japan that Jet Technologies got their latest piece of technology – a machine that manufactures pre-made bags that feature the patented one-way degassing valve from Goglio, for whom Jet Technologies is the Australian representative. The Sydney-based company is also aiming to capture the growing number of small to medium-sized roasters Australia and New Zealand. Along with the pre-made bags, Jet Technologies supplies Comunetti equipment to fill and seal them. “This system is most economical for businesses roasting less than four tonnes per week,” Dickson says. He adds that larger roasters are best served by a system using printed roll stock. This Goglio vertical form fill equipment creates the bag from a large roll of printed material, then fills the bag with coffee, often gas flushes or vacuums the bag and then seals it with top finishing. The technology used to form the bags is just the tip of the iceberg, however. Years of work have gone into designing the bags’ material. “In coffee it’s crucial that we have aluminium within the structure so that no light, oxygen or moisture can get in and affect the shelf life of the coffee,” Dickson says. On the outside of the aluminium layer, Jet Technologies usually uses reverse-printed polyester, while on the inside they use polyethylene. “The polyethylene seals the valve inside the bag, provides puncture resistance and of course to seal the bag,” he says. The valve is crucial in allowing the freshly roasted coffee to release their gas without damaging their packaging. “During the shelf-life cycle, one kilogram of roasted beans could degas more than three litres of aroma and carbon dioxide. Using the Goglio one way valve with half moon punching, we allow the gas out of the bag, otherwise the bag will blow up, fall over on the shelf, break carton boxes or even burst,” Dickson says. While the valve has become an almost ubiquitous feature of coffee packaging, Dickson says he is seeing new trends emerge. “We’re seeing a big shift into four-corner sealed, gusseted bags and block bottom bags. We’re also seeing compostable laminates and different finishing techniques applied, so clients can use a matte and or glossy finish on their bags,” he says. The four cornered bag allows roasters to have two flat faces, front and back, on their packaging for marketing purposes. Jet Technologies can offer further help on this front, with three in-house graphic designers, an experienced rotogravure  printer and National Sales Manager, Dean Gleeson, on staff.
“We can do the whole process from artwork mock-up through to bag formatting and design,” Dickson says. While Australian consumers may fancy themselves as being at the forefront of the world when it comes to their favourite drink, Dickson says the New Zealand market is ahead on at least one count. “In Australia, people still buy ground coffee in a brick pack, whereas in New Zealand they understand the importance of roasting locally,” he says. “So in the New Zealand market, everything is packed fresh in a soft pack. I think within five or so years the trend will move away from brick packs in Australia and everybody will roast, grind and pack fresh, with a valve, in a soft pack.” And when the industry is ready to make the change, Jet Technologies will be there to help them.