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The Beginning
In 1912, on a side street in the historic
center of Milan, Italy, Giuseppe Cimbali, a copper plumber,
opened a new shop. At that time, he couldn’t have imagined
his name would become synonymous with espresso machines throughout
the world.
In the 1930s, Giuseppe Cimbali honed his artisan craft and became
the principal supplier of components for espresso coffee machines
in Italy. Mr. Cimbali soon dedicated himself to the construction
of these intricate machines.
The first espresso machines he manufactured were the “Rapida”
and the “Albadoro,” powered by a copper boiler and
columns heated by a wood fire. In the 1940s, he developed and
designed the “Harmony,” “Gioiello” and the
“Brillante,” in which the copper boiler was replaced
with a resistant electronic and gas heating system.
The 50s and 60s: The Discovery of Espresso
and Modern Design
In the 1950s, Cimbali patented the first horizontal boiler model
espresso machine, “The Ala.” During the same period,
it was discovered that if an espresso machine used a baryonic
pressure equal to 9 bars to force water through the coffee,
it could make a better drink—the so-called “cream
coffee,” or what we today call espresso coffee. This discovery
led to the design of the lever group machine. The lever system,
while producing great results, presented some problems—the
levers were strenuous to maneuver and often dangerous. For this
reason, manufacturers began to look for new methods to obtain
the essential 9 bars pressure.
In 1958, LaCimbali designed and patented the automatic hydraulic
group that used the same principle as the lever group but replaced
the spring with main line pressure. Two years later, LaCimbali
patented the thermo-compensation system (the application of
a heat exchanger to every brewing group to maintain constant
water infusion and temperature). This innovation, together with
the automatic group, was used for the first time in the “Granluce”
model. Thanks to the “Granluce,” LaCimbali machines
earned a reputation throughout Italy and Europe for unsurpassed
quality that they still maintain today.
Developing a successor to the “Granluce” was difficult.
Mr. Cimbali, wanting to redesign the LaCimbali line, hired the
renowned Architect Castiglioni for the job. Castiglioni designed
the “Pitagora,” which won the prestigious “Compasso
d’oro” in 1962. This was the first time an espresso
machine design was given this award. In the years that followed,
LaCimbali developed new technologies for further automating
the hydraulic group. In 1964, LaCimbali designed and patented
the “Self Express Automatic,” resulting in the first
machines equipped with electro magnetically controlled groups
(“Agora” and “Eleva”).
The 70s & 80s: The Inception of Electronic
Technology
In the 70s and 80s, LaCimbali increased its market share in
Italy and its worldwide distribution network grew. The company’s
growing international success was due mainly to its focus on
making espresso technology more user-friendly and flexible in
order to meet the needs of different operators.
In the 1970s, important technological developments were introduced
in the line of machines featuring volumetric dosage (M/15—1970;
M/20—1979). In the 1980s, LaCimbali developed models predisposed
for computerized self-diagnosis. In 1989, LaCimbali introduced
the M30 series, the first traditional machines where main functions
were managed by a microprocessor. Features were further improved
in the M31 and the current M32 series.
Integral Automation of Espresso Coffee &
Cappuccino Machines
Another important factor that has contributed to the worldwide
success of LaCimbali products is the company’s focus on
automation. In 1969, LaCimbali designed "Superbar,"
the first fully automatic espresso coffee machine. Continuing
innovation improved the first prototypes ("Cimatic"—1976;
ET—1983) and resulted in the “Dolcevita,” which
debuted in the early 1990s. The “Dolcevita” was the
first machine to transform whole coffee beans and fresh milk
into high quality specialty coffee drinks (espresso, cappuccino,
latté, café au lait) at the simple touch of a
button!
With the “Dolcevita” series, LaCimbali has cut the
complex skills needed for brewing a perfect espresso coffee
or an excellent cappuccino down to one simple step, breaking
down the frontiers that had been holding espresso potential
in check on a global basis. In fact, with “Dolcevita,”
espresso bar service has entered a new age where the traditional
cup standards of classic Italian espresso can be upheld while
meeting the swelling demand from new espresso markets for fast
and easy operation.
LaCimbali Today
At the present time, LaCimbali is the world leader in the production
of commercial coffee machines, exporting its models to more
than 100 different countries through a solid distribution network.
LaCimbali's success can be explained by its on-going commitment
to offer its customers the best in the following fields:
—Research and Development
LaCimbali manufactures the best and most diverse line of espresso
coffee machines in the world. The company’s wide-ranging
product line includes both traditional and super-automatic models,
and allows the company to meet every specific requirement its
customers may have concerning performance, volume and price.
A highly advanced research and development division guarantees
the company’s continuing technological leadership.
—Specialized Training
LaCimbali headquarters is equipped with a state-of-the-art Training
Center where both LaCimbali staff and distributors attend classes
to develop their professional expertise. It is the company's
conviction that only those with a comprehensive knowledge of
coffee and coffee machines can professionally and successfully
spread espresso culture throughout the world. LaCimbali's commitment
to training has increased significantly as a result of the marketing
of super-automatic machines, which require clear and precise
information on installation procedures and after-sales service.
—Assistance Service
Thanks to a widespread distribution network, LaCimbali offers
a worldwide network of qualified service technicians. When the
company chooses its distributors and technicians, it looks for
those with a high level of professionalism who are serious about
wanting to establish a long-term relationship with the company
and help it grow. LaCimbali supplies its collaborators with
the following resources:
>Its 88-years of experience in the field of coffee machines.
>Its structure (a training center; educational materials)
>Its technical-commercial support team.
Every piece of LaCimbali espresso equipment has been awarded
a Certificate of Conformity for the Preparation of Real Italian
Espresso from the Italian Espresso National Institute and the
ISO 9001 Certification granted by the German body TUV. In addition,
LaCimbali is the only espresso machine manufacturer that carries
the NSF (The Public Health and Safety Company) label on every
LaCimbali model.
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