Elektra (espresso machines)

The Elektra srl is an Italian producer of high-quality espresso machines, which are characterized not only by their high functionality also by their design. In addition to single-lever and semi-automatic machines and coffee grinders and accessories are manufactured. Unlike other manufacturers of espresso machines is Elektra to date, no fully automatic coffee machines here, but only machines with filter holder. Elektra machines are mainly used in the field of gastronomy and less in the private sector.

History and Technology

The company was founded in 1947 by Umberto Fregnan and has been the foundation of the property of Fregnan family. In Focus machines from Elektra was from the beginning the idea of ​​easy operation and maintenance. Elektra was from the start a very innovative company, which is clear from the large number of patents granted. Already in 1950 the world's first machine was presented with an automatic hydraulic unit. In addition to the water level control with float, which was developed by the company as a seal -less system, the automatic dispensing with an electrically controlled valve (1968 ) and the electronic delivery of five doses ( 1978 ) was developed.

The machines are built to date technically and targeting a great durability and usability. So still only copper is used for the boiler and 80 percent of the parts produced by Elektra itself. All machines are tested for 48 hours before delivery.

Models

Elektra now manufactures two categories of machines that have either professional users ( Divisione bar ) or by private individuals ( Divisione Casa ) depend. So seven different series are made of semi-automatic equipment in Divisione bar. For the Casa Divisione the series " Nivola " and "Family Retro" be prepared which include not only semi-automatic devices and a model as single-lever machine. The entire product range includes more than 40 models. Also mills and accessories are available for the respective areas.

Characteristic of the Elektra models is a partially -consuming equipment of the machines: For example, the eagle, the company logo, which is present on the top of the cover of some machines, made ​​by sand casting. Also ending Buttons made ​​of polished Murano glass are available. Furthermore, some models are fitted with eye-catching decorative panels in the form of coat of arms or with the company logo.

Perception in the media

Due to their design and functionality - probably also because of the high price - machines are pointed out by Elektra in some luxury and lifestyle publications. This concerns in particular the built in retro style machines of the " Belle Epoque " - and "Family Retrò " series.

Elektra machines are used worldwide in famous cafes and bars for decades. Thus, espresso and coffee prepared in the famous Caffè Florian example, in Venice and in the Harrods department store in London with machines from Elektra.

When bursting of a boiler of a machine by Elektra on 14 September 2010, six people were injured in a British supermarket Sainsbury's in Farnborough ( Hampshire). After the accident, all the machines at Sainsbury's using exclusively Elektra were shut down. After an investigation of the supermarket chain was blamed as the cause of a change in the manufacturer's safety valve in 2009, followed by Sainsbury's reactivated his old machines. According to a release by Elektra on 24 February 2012 Opinion of the accident by a faulty electrical connection of the supermarket was triggered, not by a faulty machine. This was confirmed by an independent testing laboratory.