UCC Coffee Europe was created in 2012 following the acquisition of United Coffee by UCC Holdings, Japan - one of the top five largest independent coffee companies. We remain a family-owned company with the same founding principles, which means that our clients enjoy a very close and customised relationship with us, wherever they are and whatever their size.
Today, we are focused on coffee excellence, delivered consistently. This is captured in our vision: every coffee, just as it should be. To deliver that, we operate in three distinct regions: North, Central and South. Our eight operating companies, which have a long history of coffee in their local markets are based in these regions. We are headquartered in London where our Group Management team and corporate functions are based including finance, purchasing, engineering, new product development and sustainability.
Ueshima Tadao Shoten was founded in Kobe.
Ueshima Coffee Incorporated is created with the slogan “Sophisticated people love coffee!”
UCC opens its first coffee shop in Hakata, Fukuoka.
UCC developed, manufactured and sold the world’s first canned coffee beverage.
Canned coffee becomes a global sensation after UCC are invited to sell it at the Osaka International Expo.
UCC films the coffee industry’s first television commercial.
Foods Supply International Corporation is created to better serve the restaurant and fast food industries.
UCC creates Japan Hills Coffee Corporation. Sales reach one hundred billion yen within a year.
UCC opens its first directly managed coffee plantation in the Jamaican Blue Mountains.
A local UCC subsidiary is established in Brazil enabling UCC to analyse and approve the quality of its own exported green coffee beans.
The UCC Coffee Museum opens in Kobe.
Food services are integrated into UCC coffee shops and UCC Food Service System Corporation is established.
UCC opens a second directly managed coffee plantation in Hawaii.
Another world first is achieved as ‘UCC Black’ (non-sugar) is introduced to the canned coffee market.
The innovative new ‘Super Aroma System’ is introduced in UCC’s Rokko Island Factory. UCC Hyogo General Factory is the first to achieve the international ISO9002 standard for quality management systems.
UCC enters the single serve coffee market with the introduction of the ‘Keurig Coffee System’.
Through a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, UCC becomes the first company in the Japanese market to sell sustainable coffee.
The UCC Coffee Academy is opened to offer a coffee education and training program to all employees as well as public.
A further on-site office is completed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, enabling UCC experts to inspect the production processes of green beans for UCC.
UCC acquires United Coffee and UCC Europe is born.
The 80th anniversary of UCC Group.
UCC Europe undertakes Significant investment in our factory in France where state of the art technology produces Nespresso®* compatible capsules.
* UCC Coffee is an independent producer and is not related to, associated with or connected to Nespresso® or the companies behind that brand in any way.
UCC Coffee Europe restructures into three distinct regions to create efficiency, utilise skills and provide a consistent brand and customer experience across all major European markets. The European business announces its new vision: 'every coffee, just as it should be' and collective focus on coffee excellence delivered consistently.
