Industry & Business

Java Republic has announced it is joining forces with the family-run Spanish coffee company Cafento. The deal will see the existing management team remain in place and work in partnership with Cafento to oversee the domestic and international expansion of the Java Republic brand.

Cafento will focus on growing the domestic offer in Ireland across all segments of the market as well as finding global opportunities for the brand. Cafento is a third-generation Spanish family business and one of Spain’s largest coffee companies. The business will continue to partner with existing suppliers whilst serving the long-standing customer base.

The company will continue to employ upwards of 80 people and will be headquartered in Dublin. The business will be run by the well-established leadership team of Grace O’Shaughnessy and Jeffrey Long.

Java Republic has become one of Ireland’s best-known coffee roasters having brought the world’s first purpose carbon neutral roastery to Ireland to supply coffee to over 1,200 of the country’s most successful offices, hotel groups, cafés and corporate catering services.

Cafento will work with the Java Republic team to identify international expansion opportunities. Emma Brett, Director of Cafento International, will move to Dublin to further strengthen the team. Cafento will take a majority stake in the Java Republic business.

Java Republic was founded 20-years ago by David McKernan (pictured above) to bring exceptional coffee to Ireland. The Founder will continue working with the company in a non-executive capacity as a brand ambassador.

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO of Cafento, said: “We are very proud to welcome Java Republic into the Cafento family and have the opportunity to take some incredibly innovative products and expand into new geographies as well as provide our customers with a more extensive offering. We both share a strong commitment to our customers and to the markets in which we participate. Our mission is to influence the development of the coffee market with our experience, knowledge, products, services and involvement with customers, being able to anticipate changes in society, providing differentiation with respect to our competitors.”

David McKernan said: “Many customers, suppliers and most importantly team members have played an important role in growing our business over the last 20 years. For everyone involved in Java Republic, we have found a great partner to take the business into the future.”

Director of Cafento International, Emma Brett said: “It was clear from our first meeting how passionate the Java Republic team are about coffee. An incredible business has been built in Ireland and I personally look forward to working with everyone here as we seek opportunities to bring the Java Republic brand to new markets.”

Managing Director of Java Republic Grace O’Shaughnessy said: “This is an exciting milestone for Java Republic as a new partnership will help us identify new opportunities to show more coffee lovers about our expertise and conscientiousness. Our hard-working team will continue to partner with existing suppliers and customers to help businesses serve a world-class cup of coffee or tea, and we will still source and prepare our coffee and tea to uncompromising standards.”