Building resilience in the Scottish coffee industry and across the supply chain
We are living through uncertain times in the Scottish coffee industry and beyond. Challenges facing independent roasters include green coffee price volatility, rising costs in the hospitality industry and disruptions in the supply chain. Rather than facing these challenges in isolation this gathering has been organised as a collaboration by Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters and The Cuppers Union to bring the community of Scottish Roasters together for a day of talks, discussions and workshops.
Event Schedule: Sat 12th & Sun 13th September
10:00 - 11:00 Cupping Alternative Species with John Thompson
Eugenoides, Libex, Excelsa, Liberica, Racemosa … we’ve heard the names, now let’s taste them all on one table. Do these species hold the promise of a more climate resilient coffee industry?
11:00 - 12:00 From Importer to Producer: Reflections on the challenges of growing coffee
Javier Gutierrez of Caribbean Goods has established the only Scottish coffee importing business. Now he’s taking on a new challenge in his home country by establishing his own coffee farm. He’ll talk about challenges facing producers and his own struggles as a small, independent importer.
12:00 - 1:00 Maximum Impact, Minimum Effort: How to make efficient sourcing decisions
Roland Glew, Green Coffee Buyer for Ozone Coffee roasters, explains how to build a strategic green buying programme. His new project, Strategic Coffee, helps small and medium roasteries get the most from their sourcing through education, support and collaboration.
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch (catered)
2:00 - 3:00 Panel Discussion: Building Resilient Coffee Businesses
We'll speak to three Scottish roastery owners and learn their secrets to operating successfully in a fickle industry and an uncertain world. And we’ll ask: how can we find stability and resilience by building community and leaning on each other?
3:00 - 4:00 Rory Gowan, Caravela, Latin American Speciality Coffee Exporter. Working with volatility, not against it - navigating uncertainty in the green coffee market
Volatility is likely not going anywhere, so the question is how you work with it rather than against it. This is not about taking risks but about understanding the situation better and being more decisive - because indecision carries its own cost that quietly builds up over time.
4:00 - 4:30 Cupping/Break
Join Roland in a cupping to compliment his earlier talk. Or take some time to chill if you’re overstimulated!
4:30 - 6:00 Don't Fight Fires: Identify common issues before they become costly failures
Ash Poole of Roastmaster Solutions and Roest will take us through the roaster maintenance checklist we should all be doing regularly, flag up common trouble spots and answer all your burning mechanical and airflow questions.
6:00 ‘til bedtime
BBQ, live music from local band The Tartan Cowboys and chats, BYOB
Sunday Morning
10:00 -11:00 Fun Cupping and Coffee Exchange
Bring a coffee you’re loving right now to share with the group. It can be yours or another roaster you want to share. We’ll exchange coffees at the end so you’ll go home with a new bag to enjoy!
