A Sovda Pearl Mini (proper) sorter and Sovda Precision Fill (left). All photos courtesy of Sovda.

Espresso roasting tools maker Sovda (styled “SOVDA” by the corporate) not too long ago appointed Brice Sturmer as CEO. 

Sturmer, the founding father of Michigan-based specialty espresso firm Velodrome Espresso Firm, succeeds Chris Romes, who held the place for the reason that firm’s founding in 2017. Sturmer joined Sovda — which not too long ago relocated its headquarters from Portland, Oregon, to Bentonville, Arkansas — in February of this 12 months, appearing as international head of service. 

Brice Sturmer

“I used to be a Sovda shopper for a number of years previous to this chance and efficiently utilized Sovda tools to boost the effectivity and high quality of my operations,” Sturmer mentioned in an announcement shared with DCN. “It has been a definite pleasure to have interaction with the crew and observe their profound dedication to espresso and their dedication to resolving points on this business all of us love.”

After co-founding Velodrome Espresso Firm with a single location in Marquette, Michigan, in 2017, then rising it into 4 espresso outlets and a espresso tools enterprise, Sturmer bought Velodrome to a neighborhood hospitality group known as MQT in 2024. 

“I didn’t anticipate discovering one other gratifying place inside the espresso business that might rival the expertise of creating my very own model, till I joined Sovda,” Sturmer mentioned. “All through my tenure at Velodrome Espresso Firm, it grew to become clear to me that there are headwinds dealing with this business which can be larger than any particular person roaster can face and I noticed Sovda’s outsized impression in serving to resolve these points.”

A Sovda set up.

Sovda sprang onto the U.S. tools scene in 2018 with the launch of the Pearl Mini Sorter, a espresso sorting machine for small- or medium-sized roasteries. The corporate subsequently launched a espresso bagging machine, a mixing system and conveyer techniques. 

The corporate was beforehand primarily based in Portland, Oregon, with a showroom contained in the former Curate Espresso Collective house earlier than formally relocating its U.S. headquarters to Bentonville. 

“We’ve a few crew members primarily based in [Northwest Arkansas] and our founder Samuel [Gurel] is predicated in Bentonville, as properly,” Sturmer, informed DCN. “One in all our deepest partnerships is with Onyx Espresso and our merchandise will be discovered on show there in Rogers, Arkansas.”

Sturmer informed DCN that the corporate is presently engaged on quite a few “thrilling issues,” which can be presently below wraps. 

A Sovda set up.

Mentioned Sturmer, “We’re shifting our efforts closely into the subsequent part of Sovda, which can be marked by a massively improved machine operator expertise, and we’ll unlock new instruments for roasters to observe the standard of their espresso all through all the post-roast course of.”

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