Corporate History
1990s
In Hamburg, a branch office is established for optimum support of the northern German market. In addition to the USA, Germany is one of the most important export brands for Schärf products.
1994
The first fully automatic, interactive piston press coffee machine is presented on the market under the name Schärf ECOM +. The piston technology used continues the tradition of the company in the consistent maintenance and improvement of the piston system.
1995
The further development of the technologies used and the increasingly used microchip technology lead to the establishment of an industry-leading service concept under the name of „x-serve“.
1996
With the introduction of the piston espresso machine Xpress Piston, a completely new technology conquers the market.
1999
Reinhold Schärf, who has been a co-owner and managing director since 1975, takes over all shares in Alexander Schärf & Söhne GmbH as part of a management buy-out.
In 1999, the first German subsidiary of Alexander Schärf & Söhne GmbH was opened in Hamburg as a distribution center for the German market. With a first location in Vienna, the concept of the Scharf Coffeeshop Company is being implemented - thus integrating the contemporary coffee trends from the USA and Europe. In the same year, the Schärf Barista Royal concept is presented: with the purchase of this special concept, the customer gets both the highest level of espresso technology, as well as access to recipes, preparation methods and advertising measures. This package also includes intensive employee training by the specialists of the Alexander Schärf & Söhne GmbH. In the following years, the concept establishes itself as a successful complete gastronomic solution with over 3,000 satisfied bakery and catering partners in Germany and abroad.