The coffee sector, like many others, has experienced a period of significant uncertainties, primarily due to the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Economic challenges and fluctuations in the prices of green coffee beans have posed substantial hurdles.

However, with unwavering dedication, commitment, and professionalism, we have successfully navigated through these uncertainties. Despite the adversities faced, the coffee roasting industry has remained resilient and maintained its operations.

Regarding our involvement in the market chain, we take great pride in the trust our clients have placed in the quality of our equipment, the exceptional services offered by our technical support team, and, above all, the long-standing partnership we have developed over the course of a century.

We have a lot of good news to share.

The OPUS 4G Lilla technology has garnered the trust and respect of the market. Numerous large, medium, and small companies have acquired our equipment during this period, with some installations already completed and others in progress. In this edition, we would like to highlight the recent acquisitions made by Melitta for their facility in the city of Varginha, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The last one marks the third purchase of a Lilla roaster in the past four years! To be precise, they have acquired one roaster with an eight-bag capacity and two roasters with a ten-bag capacity, enabling a production capacity of four tons per hour each.

We are delighted to share this news as it reinforces the strength and stability of the roasted and ground coffee market. The industry is steadfast in its pursuit of enhanced efficiency and quality throughout the processing chain, with a keen focus on reducing costs and improving the final product's quality. Such objectives align perfectly with the core values of our business.

As Lilla is located in a prominent coffee-producing country, this edition pays homage to the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (ABIC), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. ABIC plays a pivotal role in promoting increased coffee consumption within the Brazilian domestic market and striving for overall quality improvement. Our longstanding partnership with ABIC has seen us provide continuous support for their activities, courses, and events, all while collaborating to advance the science of roasting. This tribute to ABIC's Golden Jubilee is also an acknowledgment of the dedication and hard work put forth by its members and directors, who tirelessly contribute to the growth of the sector. Congratulations, ABIC!

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Gazette Lilla, filled with compelling content and valuable insights.