Our History
Our story spans generations of craft, care and innovation. What began as a small idea has grown into a lasting legacy built on passion for great coffee and the people who make it possible.
Ethical Sourcing
We source green coffee by working directly with farmers and cooperatives worldwide.
The Perfect Roast
Our coffee beans are roasted to perfection in our award-winning Glasgow roastery
Green Champions
UK’s first Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance coffee, showing our responsibility from bean to cup.
Our Journey So Far
Our story began in 1864, when Matthew Algie opened a small tea blending business on the Clyde. By the 1950s, Glasgow had developed a taste for coffee, and we began roasting our own, setting the foundations for the company we are today. In the 1960s, we moved to Lawmoor Road, where we still roast every batch. Over the decades that followed, our coffee found its way into cafés, hotels and offices across the UK, earning a reputation for quality, reliability and care. In 2004, we launched the world’s first triple-certified espresso, and soon after joined Tchibo, one of the world’s largest coffee roasters. More than 160 years later, we remain proudly rooted in Glasgow, guided by the same passion and pioneering spirit that started it all.
Evolving with Our Customers
Innovation has always been at the heart of Matthew Algie. Each new chapter has been about finding better ways to serve our customers and strengthen the world of coffee around us. Espresso Warehouse expanded our offer beyond coffee itself, providing cafés with everything they need to succeed, from barista tools to cups and syrups. Smokin’ Bean brought great coffee to new spaces, helping businesses offer a premium, ethically sourced coffee-to-go experience. Peak & Wild extended that same ambition to environmental impact, supporting the protection of Scotland’s rainforest with every cup. And with Piacetto, we embraced the tradition of Italian espresso, enriching our portfolio with a touch of classic craftsmanship.
As our brands evolved, so did the support behind them. We built one of the most comprehensive technical service networks in the UK and Ireland, ensuring every customer can rely on expert maintenance, quick response times and minimal downtime. Alongside this, our dedicated training teams continue to share knowledge and inspire confidence, helping baristas, operators and businesses make the most of every coffee they serve.
Together, these developments have shaped a company that not only roasts exceptional coffee but delivers the complete support system behind it.
Discover How We Can Support
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