PUMPHREYS COFFEE OPEN TRAINING CENTRE AND NEW FACTORY SHOP AT BLAYDON
(December 2006)

Since 1750 the name Pumphreys has been synonymous in the North East with the roasting of fine coffees and the business has built on its firm foundations with the completion of a £100,000 development, including a purpose-built training facility for customers and a new extended factory shop, which opened in November at the factory and roasting rooms, Bridge Street, Blaydon.

“Because many of our trade customers are now using espresso machines in their cafes and restaurants we have identified the requirement for a training facility for them and their staff in the art of making coffee, not only with espresso machines but also various other methods,” said Mr Stuart Archer, joint managing director of the business. “ Our training is also combined with education about coffee, where it comes from and how it is produced. We are organising a calendar of training events starting in the new year.

“ This, combined with our new ‘one-stop factory shop’ will give customers the confidence that they have back-up and support to help them through coffee machine selection and production of the best possible coffee for their establishment at all times.

“Our resources are unrivalled. My brother, Malcolm Archer, had the good fortune to serve his apprenticeship under the wing of the famous Harry Pickles who roasted coffee and blended tea for over 50 years in Newcastle . Malcolm has now been buying and roasting coffee for 35 years himself and must be one of the most experienced ‘coffee men’ in the country. Malcolm’s passion and fastidious purchasing sees him on regular trips to estates to source only the very best coffees available,” added Stuart.

He says the Pumphreys team is now a very strong one, boasting three factory-based,fully- trained service engineers who install and train on new espresso and other machines Pumphreys sell. Trade and catering sales are headed by Alan Pickering , one of the most experienced and respected men in his field.

The Archer family who own Pumphreys Coffee are now in their third generation connected with the business. The grandchildren of Jeff (C.J) Archer are both now involved in the continued success. Stuart Lee Archer joined the company two years ago and his enthusiasm and barista (coffee making) skills are vital to its development. Recent trips to conferences in Seattle, Milan and Berne keep him well abreast of all the new developments and machines available. Stuart Lee will be involved in training and also managing the new showroom and factory shop together with the new website www.pumphreys-coffee.co.uk

Granddaughter and sales and marketing graduate Paula Archer also joined the company earlier this year. She heads a marketing team and is looking forward to inviting customers and potential customers to use the new facilities. A unique offer available to all is ‘custom blending’, which means a private blend can be created and supplied to anyone.“ This can be done very easily and will be a tremendous selling point for any restaurant. We are very excited about everything we have to offer. It will be a marvellous resource for our customers,” said Paula.

Although the new showroom is primarily for trade customers to view machines and associated products such as crockery, chocolates, biscuits, sugars, disposables, and so on, the public will also be welcome to visit the premises where they can buy from as little as 100g any of the freshly-roasted coffees or speciality teas which are currently also available on the website.

Despite their retirement, Jeff and Dorothy Archer both take a keen interest in the company’s development. “It is lovely to see Pumphreys who have for so long been the North’s established experts, moving ahead again. Turnover is now topping the £1million mark and Pumphreys are employing 15 staff with numbers set to grow as the business expands,” said Jeff.

CAPTIONS: (1) Pumphreys’ staff on the ladder to future success at Blaydon with brothers and joint managing directors of the company, Malcolm (left) and Stuart W. Archer in the foreground.

(2) Paula Archer, who heads up the marketing team at Pumphreys, Blaydon.