Who Owns Lavazza?

Lavazza was founded in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza, who opened a small grocery store in Turin, Italy. Luigi Lavazza began experimenting with blending different coffee varieties from around the world, discovering that combining beans from different origins created more complex and balanced flavors. This art of blending became the foundation of Lavazza's coffee philosophy.

In the early 20th century, Luigi Lavazza transitioned from retail to coffee roasting and wholesale distribution. His innovations in coffee blending techniques set Lavazza apart from competitors. The company introduced the first vacuum-sealed coffee packaging in Italy in 1950, revolutionizing how coffee was preserved and distributed.

Throughout the mid-20th century, Lavazza expanded across Italy and into European markets, becoming synonymous with Italian espresso culture. The company invested heavily in advertising, including partnerships with prominent Italian artists and designers. Lavazza's iconic calendar, featuring world-renowned photographers, became a celebrated annual tradition beginning in 1993.

In recent decades, Lavazza has pursued aggressive international expansion through strategic acquisitions. The company acquired France's Carte Noire brand in 2016, Canada's Kicking Horse Coffee in 2017, and Australia's Blue Pod Coffee Co. The company also expanded its presence in the professional coffee market, becoming the official coffee partner of major sporting events including Wimbledon and the ATP Tour. Today, Lavazza operates in over 140 countries and processes approximately 30 billion cups of coffee consumed annually.