1997
The ROK products were created at the product design agency, Therefore, in the very heart of London. The ROKs are what happens when we let our passion drive us to design better things – for ourselves, not for any client.
1997
The ROK products were created at the product design agency, Therefore, in the very heart of London. The ROKs are what happens when we let our passion drive us to design better things – for ourselves, not for any client.
1998
As is so often the case, it started with a simple idea. Patrick, our Creative Director (and the master coffee obsessive), wanted to design a manually operated home coffee maker. He put forward a short brief to his co-shareholders. All he needed was a little nod. It came and the journey began.
1998
As is so often the case, it started with a simple idea. Patrick, our Creative Director (and the master coffee obsessive), wanted to design a manually operated home coffee maker. He put forward a short brief to his co-shareholders. All he needed was a little nod. It came and the journey began.
1999
Patrick began sketching and dabbling with prototypes so the team could quickly see if there was anything in the idea. The internal project codename was presso.
1999
Patrick began sketching and dabbling with prototypes so the team could quickly see if there was anything in the idea. The internal project codename was presso.
2000
Patrick (right) and Martin (left) continued the development and refinement of the ingenious rolling O-ring seal which becomes the heart of Presso’s International Patent. Jim (centre) becomes another coffee afficionado and a major driving force to make Presso a reality.
2000
Patrick (right) and Martin (left) continued the development and refinement of the ingenious rolling O-ring seal which becomes the heart of Presso’s International Patent. Jim (centre) becomes another coffee afficionado and a major driving force to make Presso a reality.
2002
A Therefore client named Seb happened to see an unfinished Presso prototype behind Patrick’s desk and immediately fell in love. He invited his mate, Chris to get involved and in March we formed Presso Limited. Seb had expertise in manufacturing, Chris in marketing and Patrick in design. Is that a team or what?
2002
A Therefore client named Seb happened to see an unfinished Presso prototype behind Patrick’s desk and immediately fell in love. He invited his mate, Chris to get involved and in March we formed Presso Limited. Seb had expertise in manufacturing, Chris in marketing and Patrick in design. Is that a team or what?
2003
After a few more refinements and tweaks to the Presso Coffee maker we finalised the design. Seb introduced an excellent factory who made high-end bike parts using our chosen material - die cast aluminium. We started mass production and got some orders. We were off and running!
2003
After a few more refinements and tweaks to the Presso Coffee maker we finalised the design. Seb introduced an excellent factory who made high-end bike parts using our chosen material - die cast aluminium. We started mass production and got some orders. We were off and running!
2004
We shipped our first orders and launched Presso onto the market. The market loved it and we got featured by the good ‘ol Britsh Broacasting Corporation.
2004
We shipped our first orders and launched Presso onto the market. The market loved it and we got featured by the good ‘ol Britsh Broacasting Corporation.
2004
Although still a tiny duckling in a big pond, word spread and folk quickly found out about us. We got incredible initial feedback by some big names, not to mention picking up a few prestigious design awards along the way!
2004
Although still a tiny duckling in a big pond, word spread and folk quickly found out about us. We got incredible initial feedback by some big names, not to mention picking up a few prestigious design awards along the way!
2005
Those TV lot really seemed to like Presso. We got featured on a program called “He’s Got To Have It”, where a leading UK Barista proclaimed his preference for Presso over an expensive electric contraption made by Gaggia. A BIG result.
2005
Those TV lot really seemed to like Presso. We got featured on a program called “He’s Got To Have It”, where a leading UK Barista proclaimed his preference for Presso over an expensive electric contraption made by Gaggia. A BIG result.
2013
We were beginning to realise by now that we might just be too early in the market. Although the coffee revolution was starting, folk just needed to catch up with us. We needed a change so brought in a new management team and changed our name from Presso to the name we are known by today, ROK.
2013
We were beginning to realise by now that we might just be too early in the market. Although the coffee revolution was starting, folk just needed to catch up with us. We needed a change so brought in a new management team and changed our name from Presso to the name we are known by today, ROK.
2014
We exhibited at the London Coffee Festival and amazingly won yet another award - ‘Best Product’ of the show, as voted by the people… we love people.
2014
We exhibited at the London Coffee Festival and amazingly won yet another award - ‘Best Product’ of the show, as voted by the people… we love people.
2015
After years of development, we launched our long anticipated second project, a manually operated coffee bean grinder on the crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo. It took just five days to hit our campaign funding target, cementing the future of the ROK grinder as our next big prospect!
2015
After years of development, we launched our long anticipated second project, a manually operated coffee bean grinder on the crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo. It took just five days to hit our campaign funding target, cementing the future of the ROK grinder as our next big prospect!
2017
Patrick visits our fabulous factory in China to discuss new products in the pipeline as well as making improvements to the range.
2017
Patrick visits our fabulous factory in China to discuss new products in the pipeline as well as making improvements to the range.
2018
After much heavy lifting, material science and prototyping we launch the ROK EspressoGC. To show we're serious about Longevity/Sustainability we also launch the GC Conversion kit - enabling all ROK or Presso owners to upgrade their machine to GC.
2018
After much heavy lifting, material science and prototyping we launch the ROK EspressoGC. To show we're serious about Longevity/Sustainability we also launch the GC Conversion kit - enabling all ROK or Presso owners to upgrade their machine to GC.
2020
Whilst developing the grinder Patrick met a whole bunch of roasters. .. and they love their pour-over coffee. This made us determined to design a better filter. We realised V shaped filters use afordable paper but require geeky pouring techniques with special goose neck kettles. Well, we like democratizing coffee for normal folk. The W1 filter is our solution.
2020
Whilst developing the grinder Patrick met a whole bunch of roasters. .. and they love their pour-over coffee. This made us determined to design a better filter. We realised V shaped filters use afordable paper but require geeky pouring techniques with special goose neck kettles. Well, we like democratizing coffee for normal folk. The W1 filter is our solution.
2021
Like Lord Shiva, Oxygen is the great giver... and the great destroyer. Oxygen is the enemy of coffee and the best storage canisters contain none. We first experimented with vacuum jars but soon realised that even a small percentage of remaining air does its nasty work. This lead us to develop a displacement method using a plunger inside real glass. I gotta say, this was a really difficult development and we're delighted with the result.
2021
Like Lord Shiva, Oxygen is the great giver... and the great destroyer. Oxygen is the enemy of coffee and the best storage canisters contain none. We first experimented with vacuum jars but soon realised that even a small percentage of remaining air does its nasty work. This lead us to develop a displacement method using a plunger inside real glass. I gotta say, this was a really difficult development and we're delighted with the result.
