A Glimpse into My Week with the Eversys R&D Team

This past week, I had the privilege of working closely in the Eversys R&D team on some exciting projects. These initiatives have the potential to redefine what our machine line is capable of, ranging from small but impactful enhancements that improve quality and speed, to groundbreaking innovations that could transform how coffee is brewed, how it tastes, and how we maximize value across the board.

While we can’t dive into the specifics of these early-stage technologies just yet, there’s plenty to share about the driving forces behind these developments—and how the principles applied here can inspire other areas of business and creativity.

The Power of Diverse Talent and Collaboration

One of the unique advantages of Eversys' location in Switzerland is its proximity to a top-tier engineering school. This provides a steady flow of young, curious, and creative engineers who bring fresh perspectives and a relentless desire to learn. What makes this mix even more powerful is how these emerging talents work alongside seasoned experts—engineers with backgrounds in automotive design, industrial systems, power, water, pressure, materials….

Because many team members don’t come from traditional coffee machine backgrounds, their ideas are unbound by industry conventions. They approach problems with a mindset unshackled by “how it’s always been done,” which opens up a world of limitless possibilities.

Balancing Specific Focus with Blank-Page Innovation

The product and project management teams at Eversys are laser-focused on customer needs. Their process starts with real-world challenges and market demands, crafting tight project briefs that consider not just the technical problem but also the business and logistical realities. This results-driven approach ensures that the right solutions are delivered at the right time, and in a sustainable way. It’s a model that could be replicated across other fields—whether it’s menu development, production workflows, or digital marketing initiatives.

In contrast, there’s also a visionary side to Eversys that’s driven by long-term projects. These aren’t sparked by immediate market needs, but by the untapped potential within existing resources. It’s an approach rooted in asking, “Because we can do X, what if we tried Y?” For me, this is where things get really exciting. It’s about understanding the market deeply—how machines are used, what baristas, businesses, and customers truly value—and finding ways to align emerging technologies with needs that are either under-addressed or completely undiscovered. While these explorations can be trickier to translate into final products, they often generate insights and ideas with far-reaching impact.

A Vision for the Long-Term

Perhaps the most thrilling part of all this work is the long-term thinking it demands. When designing machines with 10-year lifespans for businesses or planning the development of a new generation of technology that could take 5-10 years to bring to market, we’re not just focused on today’s coffee challenges. We’re asking ourselves: What will the landscape of coffee look like in 20 years? How will customer preferences evolve? What will cafés, coffee, and customer experiences be like in 2044?

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This journey with Eversys is a reminder that when you bring together diverse talents, a passion for discovery, and a willingness to challenge conventions, the possibilities are endless—not just for the future of coffee, but for innovation in any field. The future is brewing, and I’m excited to be part of it.

Dale Harris

World Barista Champion 2017