Curtis Debuts State-of-the-Art Production Line to Build the New, Evolutionary GemX™ Coffee Brewer
Montebello, CA – Marked by a commemorative all-company ceremony, the Wilbur Curtis Company recently debuted a state-of-the-art production line for their latest advancement in gourmet coffee brewing, the GemX IntelliFresh® Coffee Brewer with FreshTrac®.
Complete with an ultra-modern metal laser fabrication unit, the new million-dollar cell manufacturing system will serve as a powerful engine for putting this cutting-edge brewer in C-stores, hotels, restaurants, roasters and specialty coffee houses. But the GemX is already making a name for itself. Combining “brains” and brilliant design elements to drive superior coffee programs, this innovative machine is turning heads and gaining exciting interest from multiple foodservice channels.
Production innovation: made in Montebello
Like the GemX brewer itself, Curtis’s new Montebello assembly line is a marvel of engineering. It exemplifies the kind of advanced thinking that has made the company a leader in the field of commercial coffee brewing equipment for over 75 years.
A sophisticated metal laser fabrication unit combined with brake and shearing systems provide full automation for production efficiencies; while cell manufacturing techniques enable workers to switch easily between building units with Curtis exclusive Generation 3 (G3) and Generation 4 (G4) technology suites.
Full quality control measures and 100% testing ensure that all GemX brewers ready for shipment will deliver the kind of reliable, long-lasting performance Curtis is famous for.
Assembling Curtis’s greatest asset: its people
Prior to the production line’s debut, all Curtis employees were invited to lunch-and-learn sessions where they were shown the full capabilities of the GemX, the customer segments it is destined to serve, and how this innovative brewer will be presented in the marketplace. The entire Curtis plant also took time to recognize the tremendous efforts of the GemX design team.
Reflecting the Curtis family-first approach to business, when those workers take their places on the new production line they’ll be able to work in enhanced comfort and safety. The system has been ergonomically designed simplify and streamline assembly. What’s more, large fans will be whirring to keep workers cool, while reducing air conditioning energy use and costs at the same time.
“The GemX represents the pinnacle of our coffee brewing expertise,” says third generation CEO and President Kevin Curtis. “This new production line ensures we will continue delivering the premium-quality manufacturing that has been the cornerstone of that innovation since Curtis was founded.”
Photo 1: Cutting the ribbon [L to R]: Joe Laws, COO; Bryan Morford, Senior VP Sales Operations; Kevin Curtis, CEO and President; Mike Curtis, Executive Vice President. Photo 2: GemX Team. Photo credit: Steve Giraud.