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PROFILE: AMPEX CORPORATION
AMPEX CRAFTS GOLD STANDARD COFFEE
Hand-crafted from a precise blend of locally grown beans for consistently bold flavor and rich aroma, Ampex’s Gold Bean coffee is the gourmet beverage of the discriminating coffee connoisseur, hands down the best beans in Guatemala.
Nestled in a high valley ringed by three volcanoes lies Guatemala’s Antigua coffee-producing region, source of one of the world’s most prized coffee beans and a primary taste driver of Ampex’s Gold Bean gourmet coffee. Antigua is characterized by rich volcanic soil, low hu- midity, long days with plenty of sun, and cool nights. Volcanic pumice in the earth retains moisture, helping to offset Antigua’s low rainfall, and dense shade protects the delicate coffee plants from the region’s occasional frost. The three volcanoes—Agua, Fuego, and Acatenan- go—stand guard, and still-active Fuego periodically adds a fresh dusting of mineral-rich ash to Antigua’s soil.
These growing conditions form a dream source for coffee from which springs a well-balanced bean with a rich aroma and a nuanced taste. Many larger roasters source still-green coffee beans from farms around the world and then aggregate them into a single blend that yields little character or distinctive taste. In contrast, Ampex coffee, with its proprietary blend of single-ori- gin beans, reliably delivers a superb, delicious cup every time.
Building a boutique brand
A commodity trading company, the Ampex Corporation and its subsidiaries have specialized in the coffee business for more than 30 years, producing the finest coffees in the world. Adopting a boutique approach, Ampex has chosen to remain small and partner with small coffee farming cooperatives, aligning grower, roaster, and marketer in a single brand. Through this vertical approach, Ampex is able to maintain scrupulous quality control from the tree to the store shelf and deliver consistent flavor and aroma profiles season after season.
In addition to ensuring consistency, vertical integration allows Ampex to act upon its core val- ue of investing in social development at home. Gold Bean’s raw material is purchased solely from the small producers of the 148 growers in FEDECOCAGUA, an agricultural federation in Guatemala. But Ampex does not simply purchase from growers; the company partners with the cooperatives, cutting out middle men and allowing Ampex to pay above-market prices directly to the growers. These revenues fund improved education and health care for the growers and their families.
“Quality is never an accident. It is always
the result of high intention, sincere effort, intel- ligent direction, and skillful execution. It represents the wisest choice among many alternatives.” —Carlos Cavallini, President, Ampex Corporation
FACTS
Ampex Corporation
Founded: 1978
Specializing in trading commodities from Central and South America, Ampex is a leader in coffee development projects.
Employees: 21
“Delightful, pleasant, full, delicate”
Gold Bean coffee has received UTZ certification from SGS, the world’s leading quality cer- tification company, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to responsible agricultural production and sourcing of coffee products. SGS provides inspection, verification, and testing from field to cup to ensure quality at every stage by managing crops, enhancing seed develop- ment, conducting soil testing, moving harvested products through the global supply chain, and managing trade inspection at export. The UTZ guarantee lets consumers know that their coffee is produced in a way that does not harm the environment or exploit the workforce.
At the end of the day, what coffee lovers crave most is a flavorful, aromatic cup o’ joe, and this is where Ampex Gold Bean coffee excels. Guatemala’s high-altitude coffee delivers a delightful aroma, pleasant acidity, full body, and delicate sweetness, a combination that results in a balanced and flavorful beverage. Nearly 70 percent of consumers who purchase coffee in whole-bean form are looking for a real gourmet experience. For these discriminating tastemakers, Ampex Gold Bean is the gourmet of gourmet coffees.
SPECIAL REPORT
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