Almost one hundred years of business history.

From small mechanical workshops
to world leaders

Rancilio Group unites the stories of four brands. Stories of men, intuitions, entrepreneurial dreams, technological innovations, designs and patents that, over the years, have created the myth of an international company that produces professional coffee machines.

1896

Roberto Rancilio

Roberto Rancilio is born in Parabiago, a small town on the outskirts of Milan.

Roberto Rancilio (standing, first left) with his parents, brothers, and sisters.

Discover the founders

1926

The Officina Meccanica

A building on Via Galeazzi in Parabiago becomes the first headquarters of the Officina Meccanica Roberto Rancilio.

1927

La Regina

Roberto Rancilio builds his first machine for coffee bars: La Regina. In addition to innovative mechanical solutions, La Regina stands out for its attention to aesthetic detail and brand image. The ‘double R’ logo is created.

1930

The Officina Meccanica

The Officina Meccanica Roberto Rancilio is officially established. Two versions of the La Regina model are developed. In addition to instant electric espresso machines, the company also produces cutting torches, pressure regulators, hydraulic valves, and wood gas generators.

1938

The Art Deco Years

Three new models are manufactured: the Ottagonale, the Graziosa, and the Invicta. The Ottagonale reflects the Art Deco styling of the era. The other machines are developed according to criteria of essentiality and geometric lines, with great emphasis on brand visibility. These years also see the appearance of the first Rancilio adverts with emphasis on the role of the barista.

1938

PATENTS

Various patents aimed at improving the technology and maintenance of the machine are filed. This pays testament to Roberto Rancilio’s attention to all aspects of the business: technological innovation and a carefully-crafted brand image, ensuring that the company keeps up with market trends.

1938

Rancilio stand at the Milan Trade Show

Rancilio sets up a stand at the Milan International Fair for the first time.

1946

The restart

With the resumption of coffee imports – previously suspended by Mussolini before the war – the production of espresso machines at the Officina Rancilio also resumes.

1948

Rancilio Ideale

A new model of coffee machine is developed: the Ideale. With a 22-litre horizontal boiler to replace the vertical boiler, this model garners a great deal of interest and enables the production of machines with three groupheads.

1950

The horizontal version of the Rancilio Invicta The lever-operated Rancilio Invicta

Roberto Rancilio continues the technological development of his products, filing new patents and testing out new materials such as plastic, the ductility and lightness of which open up new possibilities in terms of appearance and shape. At this time, the company’s image and publicity become increasingly elegant, presenting a modern vision in line with a shift in social customs.

1951

Rancilio Preziosa

The new Preziosa model is also produced in a mini version (Mignon), with a 5-litre boiler. This coffee machine can be powered by either electricity or methane gas.

1954

Italian bar of the 50's

To mark the graduation from workshop to modern company, the company name is changed and La Rancilio di Roberto Rancilio is founded. The company starts participating in more trade fairs and expanding exports, going beyond nearby Switzerland to France, England, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and the Netherlands.

1956

GENERATIONS

During a period of massive commercial expansion, Rancilio loses its founder. At the age of 59, Roberto Rancilio passes away at his home. The reins of the company pass into the hands of Francesco (known as ‘Nino’), Antonio (known as ‘Antonietto’), and Romano Rancilio, Roberto’s three sons.

1957

THE ALPINA AND DUCALE

The Alpina and the Ducale are introduced, both designed by architect Giovanni Travasa.

discover the designers

1960

Rancilio stand at the Milan Trade Show

During the economic boom, the three Rancilio brothers continue developing the company, creating brand new lines specifically for the international markets. Rancilio’s commercial structure expands to provide service and a constant, reliable presence across the country. The company produces espresso machines, but also markets coffee grinders, water supply systems and electric pumps.

1965

Rancilio High Line and Senior Line

Senior Line, High Line, GM, and MG are the names of the new products marketed by the 32 national branches and exported to 21 foreign countries.

1968

THE CRISIS

Francesco Rancilio dies tragically in a car accident in France. Left alone to manage the company, brothers Antonio and Romano are forced to face a period of crisis that affects the entire Italian economy.

1970

YEAR IN NUMBERS

The year ends with an impressive 2,640 espresso machines produced.

1971

Rancilio Z8

Marco Zanuso designs the Z8. It would remain in production until 1980.

discover the designers

1972

Villastanza

The new production plant in Villastanza (Parabiago) opens. Here, the first assembly line is installed, along with electroplating and coating systems. A product differentiation approach also begins at this time, with the sale of coffee grinders and glasswashers.

1973

Dosing grinder

The first model in the MD coffee dosing grinder line enters production.

1979

THE GROWING

The year ends with 5,000 espresso machines produced. Between office workers and factory workers, the company has 170 employees.

1980

Rancilio Z9

In the wake of the success of the Z8 model, Marco Zanuso designs the Z9. Both models feature captivating colours and the use of plastic, reflecting the culture and design of the era. Zanuso’s research is extensive, covering every aspect of the espresso machine, from aesthetics to production. The Z8 and Z9 models are very successful, quickly dominating international markets from the United States to Australia, Africa to South America, and a great many European countries.

discover the designers

1982

YEAR IN NUMBERS

Having become a limited company under the management of Antonio and Romano, Rancilio decides to further expand its warehouse area, streamlining the production facility. The company manages to produce 6500 espresso machines a year, representing 12% of all espresso machines produced in the whole of Italy.

1983

Following the death of Antonio Rancilio, his brother Romano takes over control of the company. Foreign markets account for 60% of Rancilio’s overall sales.

1984

RANCILIO S10

The S10 is introduced, with three versions available: electric, semi-automatic and lever.

1985

MISS RANCILIO

Alongside the Audrey and the Nancy, home espresso machines, the Miss Rancilio models arrive on the market, accompanied by a new grinder, Rocky. All these products are designed by Bruno Rossio.

discover the designers

1988

Rancilio Z11

The Z11, designed by Bruno Rossio, enters production. In addition to the Jacky grinder, new Miss models are introduced for the domestic market: Lucy, Kathy, Betsy. Over these few years, the company expands its product diversification like never before. In addition to the professional and Miss espresso machine ranges, Rancilio continues to market coffee grinders and glasswashers, as well as introducing ice machines.

discover the designers

1989

Promac

Rancilio acquires control of Promac Italia Srl, a company which produces espresso machines and sells professional dosing grinders.

1989

Rancilio S20

The S20 line makes its debut.

1991

In the spring, Rancilio loses the last representative of the second generation: Romano, who was responsible for turning the original small-scale business into a solid industrial company.

1994

RANCILIO COFFEE FANTASY

Rancilio release the Coffee Fantasy, a new espresso machine of the Home Line.

1996

GENERATIONS

The third generation of the Rancilio family takes the helm of the industrial group. Giorgio, Roberto, Silvia, and Luca, the founder’s grandchildren, direct and manage the company, which sells more than 30,000 products worldwide each year.

1997

RANCILIO MILLENNIUM

The Millennium, designed by Renato Fusi, is Rancilio’s response to market demand at the end of the 1990s.

discover the designers

1997

Rancilio Silvia and Rocky

The Rancilio Silvia makes its debut. This espresso machine, designed for the domestic market, would become the symbol of Rancilio’s Home Line over the years. The Orbita, a professional espresso machine designed by Marco Bonetto, is introduced in the same year.

1999

GIORGIO RANCILIO NEW CEO

Giorgio Rancilio is appointed president and CEO of Rancilio.

1999

NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

The North American branch is inaugurated in Woodridge, Chicago.

1999

Rancilio Epoca

The Epoca, designed by Claudio Bettini, is released. Claudio Bettini was one of the designers who worked with us. The history through the projects, the design, the technology and functionality.

2000

Rancilio Classe 10

The new Classe 10, designed by Claudio Bettini, conquers international markets with great success.

discover the designers

2001

CLASSE 12

Introduction of the Classe 12, designed by George James Sowden.

discover the designers

2004

NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

The company’s international expansion continues with the opening of the Spanish branch in Barcelona.

2004

Rancilio Classe 8

Two new models, the Classe 8 and the Classe 6, both designed by the studio mmdesign, are introduced to accompany the flagship Classe 10.

discover the designers

2006

RANCILIO ENTERS IN EGRO

Rancilio becomes part of Egro Coffee System AG, a Swiss company which specialises in the production of fully automatic coffee machines.

2007

Rancilio LAB opening

Rancilio LAB is inaugurated. A technological hub specialised in developing espresso preparation solutions.

DISCOVER OUR LABS

2008

TWO BRANDS. ONE VISION

Rancilio becomes the majority shareholder of Swiss company Egro Coffee System AG.

2008

NEW BRANCH OFFICES OPEN

Inauguration of the new branch in Lisbon, Portugal. Ergo’s German subsidiary, based in Weikersheim, also begins to market Rancilio products in Germany and Austria.

2009

Management system certifications (ISO)

Rancilio obtains ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.

2010

Rancilio Classe 10

Designer Matteo Costa redesigns the Classe 10.

2011

Rancilio Classe 9

Presentation of the new models designed by Marco Bonetto – the Classe 9, the first Rancilio espresso machine with a multi-boiler system, and the Classe 7 – along with the Kryo 65, a professional dosing grinder designed by Gianfranco Salvemini.

discover the designers

2011

XCELSIUS

Rancilio LAB designs Xcelsius, revolutionary technology capable of profiling the water temperature during the coffee extraction. The Xcelsius project is based on the results of two scientific researches funded by Rancilio Group and carried out by the departments of food science and technology of the University of Milan (Italy) and Girona (Spain).

2012

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 9 USB Xcelsius wins the silver medal at the 25th Edition of the EID award, organised by the prestigious magazine ‘Appliance Design’.

2013

Rancilio Classe 11

World preview of the new top-end Rancilio Classe 11 – designed by Marco Bonetto – featuring Xcelsius technology. The Kryo 65 dosing grinder is also available in an on-demand version.

2014

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 11 wins the gold medal at the 2014 Excellence in Design Awards.

2015

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 11 wins the Red Dot Award in the Product Design category. It is the official espresso machine of the Italian Barista & Coffee Championship finals.

2015

RANCILIO CLASSE 5 AND CLASSE 7

Marco Bonetto redesigns the Classe 5 and the Classe 7.

2018

Rancilio Specialty RS1

The Rancilio Specialty RS1 is introduced: the first espresso machine with a stainless-steel grouphead, equipped with a multi-boiler system and Advanced Temperature Profiling technology. The RS1 is designed in collaboration with MOMODESIGN.

discover our designers

2018

Rancilio Silvia Black

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rancilio Silvia, the iconic product of the Home Line, the company presents the Silvia Black, a special stainless-steel edition painted black.

2019

OUR AWARDS

The Rancilio Specialty RS1 wins the silver medal at the Product Innovation Awards 2019.

The Rancilio Specialty RS1, selected for the ADI Design Index 2019, is amongst the finalists for the Compasso d’Oro award.

2020

Rancilio Classe 20 Advanced Steady Brew

The range of top-end espresso machines expands with the Classe 20, designed by Matteo Costa. Steady Brew technology makes its debut with the Classe 20 SB.

discover the designers

2020

Rancilio Silvia Pro

Meanwhile, for the Home Line, production begins on the new Silvia Pro.

2021

NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPENING

The company’s international expansion continues with the opening of Chinese branch in Shangai

1820

KASTOR EGLOFF

Kastor Egloff is born in Rohrdorf, a municipality in the Baden district of Switzerland.

DISCOVER THE FOUNDERS

1849

Kastor Egloff opens a small workshop in Rohrdorf, producing metal cooking utensils.

1871

KASTOR EGLOFF & SOHN

He opens a foundry and the company reaches a turnover of 150,000 Swiss francs. Wilhelm and Julius, Kastor’s oldest sons, start working with their father. During 1876 Kastor Egloff purchases a deep drawing press — the first in Switzerland — and starts producing mess tins and other tin-plated household items. After Egloff’s injury his son Julius takes over the company and in 1884 the company adopts the name Kastor Egloff & Sohn. Brothers Julius and August Egloff take the helm of the company. The number of employees rises to 55.

1894

KASTOR EGLOFF & CIE

Later on, in 1894 brothers Adolf and Karl Reber invest 400,000 Swiss francs to acquire a shareholding in the company. The company name becomes Kastor Egloff & Cie. Hermann Weber, Karl Reber’s brother-in-law, joins the company. When Karl Reber dies in 1902, Gottfried Birchmeier starts working at the company, which he is also a shareholder of. Some years later Kastor Egloff dies at the ag of 85. Susequent, the company is sold to Merkenr & Co. and it changes its name in Metallwarenfabrik Egloff & Cie.

1926

BIRCHER-RAFFEL

After the generational handover, the Niederrohrdorf factory produces the first Bircher-Raffel: an apple grater invented by doctor and nutritionist Maximilian Bircher, the father of Muesli. It proves to be one of the era’s most successful household items.

1934

Egro Supra

The Supra I, the first filter coffee machine produced by Metallwarenfabrik Egloff & Cie, is introduced.

1936

Egro Express Junior

The Express Junior model is introduced. It has a gas-heated, 4-litre boiler and a wand for steam and hot water.

1937

EGRO REKORD

The Rekord model is released on the market.

1939

Egro Supra II

The Supra II enters production before World War II begins.

1945

THE RESTART

After a complex period resulting from difficulties finding raw materials due to the global conflict, the company begins to grow again, achieving a turnover of 3.2 million Swiss francs and reaching 200 employees.

1949

Egro Supra III

After World War II, the Swiss company creates different versions of the Express II (1947) and Supra III (1949) models.

1954

YEAR IN NUMBERS

Turnover reaches 7.2 million Swiss francs and the number of employees rises to 285.

1955

Egro Regina

The Regina is released. The name of this new fully automatic coffee machine harks back to Roberto Rancilio’s very first coffee machine.

1959

YEAR IN NUMBERS

Turnover for the coffee machine segment of the business reaches 1.3 million Swiss francs. Exports to the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Austria begin.

1960

Egro Reginetta

Production of Reginetta begins. It is available in different versions, either lever or automatic and with one or two groupheads.

1969

Egro Domino

The coffee machine sector grows, representing 17% of the company’s annual turnover. The Domino model makes its debut. Different versions of it would be produced until 1994, marking a milestone in the history of this Swiss company.

1970

NEW CEO

After the death of Hans Merker-Stamm, Robert Wuffli becomes the new CEO.

1972

Egro Micado

The Micado – the first completely automatic coffee machine – and the Colibrì enter production.

1975

Egro Marabu

The Marabu model is introduced for quick breakfast buffet service. Its most advanced version could dispense up to 35 litres of filter coffee per hour.

1977

EGRO AG

The name of the company changes from Egloff & Co. to Egro AG. The name is composed of the initials EG (Egloff) and RO (Rohrdorf) and was already being used as the commercial brand on some products. Coffee machine number 1000 is delivered. New export markets for Egro – Japan and Hong Kong – are added to their established European markets, which include Germany and the Netherlands.

1980

EGRO MICADO

Egro Coffee System AG publicly launches the self-service version of the Micado model.

1985

Egro BMC 10

The AMC enters production as the first fully automatic Egro coffee machine with electronic controls, along with the BMC.

1987

NEW CEO

Uli Burger takes over from Robert Wuffli as the head of the company.

1988

EGRO COMPACT

The Compact, the smallest fully automatic coffee machine in the world, is introduced.

1991

EGRO VITESSE

Egro presents the Vitesse, which would make history as the Serie 90, and patents an innovative system for grinding, brewing and dispensing.

1993

EGRO COMTESSE CT

The Comtesse CT model is introduced.

1997

Egro Serie 70

Egro patents the double brewing chamber system. The Arco model, known as the Serie 70, is introduced.

1999

Egro Serie 50

Egro creates the first version of its Serie 50 fully automatic coffee machine, initially designed as the Spirit.

2002

NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

Egro inaugurates its German branch in Weikersheim, near Stuttgart.

2003

NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

A representative office opens in Hong Kong.

2005

PATENTED MILK SYSTEM

Egro patents a milk system with automated cleaning actions.

2006

RANCILIO ENTERS IN EGRO

Rancilio SpA acquires a qualified shareholding equal to 25% of Egro Coffee System AG.

2008

Two brands. One vision

Rancilio SpA becomes the majority shareholder of Egro Coffee System AG.

2009

Egro One keypad Top Milk XP

The Egro One, designed by Marco Bonetto, is the first fully automatic coffee machine to come out of the new collaboration between the Egro and Rancilio R&D departments.

2010

OUR AWARDS

The Egro One is awarded the bronze medal at the Excellence in Design Awards.

2011

EGRO ACQUISITION

The acquisition process for Egro Coffee System AG is completed and Rancilio acquires full control of the company.
The new Egro Suisse Headquarter with Egro LAB opens in Dottikon, Switzerland.

2013

Egro Zero

The Zero, a fully automatic coffee machine designed by Marco Bonetto, enters production. Egro’s new milk system (NMS) is released.

2016

Egro BYO - Bring Your Own

The new fully automatic coffee machine BYO (Bring Your Own) is introduced, allowing users to control the machine remotely via a tablet or smartphone.

2018

EGRO NEXT TOP MILK AND EGRO ZERO+

The Next is released. It is the first fully automatic coffee machine with a touchscreen interface based on the Android system, developed in collaboration with mmdesign. The Egro Zero+, an evolved version of the model launched in 2013, is introduced the same year.

2019

EGRO SERVICE COMPETENCE CENTER

The Egro Service Competence Centre is inaugurated in Dottikon (Switzerland branch). The goal of this new department of the Egro LAB is to develop and maintain technical materials and provide internal technical training for Egro products.

2020

Egro Next Touch Coffee

The Next Touch Coffee, the first fully automatic coffee machine designed for drip coffee, is released on the market. The new milk system (NMS+) developed for Egro Next enters production.

DISCOVER THE DESIGNERS

2021

OUR AWARDS

Egro Next Touch Coffee is selected by iF International Forum of Design as best product design of the year for iF Design Award.

2010

Rancilio Group SpA

Rancilio Group SpA is formed. A process to unify the company’s commercial and production strategies begins. The production of Egro’s fully automatic coffee machines begins on the new production lines in Villastanza (Parabiago).

2010

Photovoltaic system

A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of the production plant.

2010

Opening of the Officina Rancilio 1926 museum

Inauguration of the company museum Officina Rancilio 1926. The museum is housed in Via Galeazzi 22 in Parabiago, where Roberto Rancilio established his first workshop in 1926.

2010

OUR AWARDS

The Egro One is awarded the bronze medal at the Excellence in Design Awards.

2011

EGRO ACQUISITION

The acquisition process for Egro Coffee System AG is completed and Rancilio acquires full control of the company.
The new Egro Suisse Headquarter with Egro LAB opens in Dottikon, Switzerland.

2011

Rancilio Classe 9

discover the designers

2011

XCELSIUS

2012

EXTRACTION LAB

Inauguration of Extraction Lab, the laboratory dedicated to coffee brewing, headed up by the Coffee Competence team.

2012

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 9 USB Xcelsius wins the silver medal at the 25th Edition of the EID award, organised by the prestigious magazine ‘Appliance Design’.

2013

BEATS

Rancilio Group publishes its first sustainability report, ‘Beats’.

2013

A NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

A new commercial office opens in Porto, Portugal.

2013

Rancilio Group becomes part of Ali Group

Rancilio Group joins Ali Group, one of the most important companies in the global food service appliances market.

2013

Rancilio Classe 11

World preview of the new top-end Rancilio Classe 11 – designed by Marco Bonetto – featuring Xcelsius technology. The Kryo 65 dosing grinder is also available in an on-demand version.

2013

EGRO ZERO

The Zero, a fully automatic coffee machine designed by Marco Bonetto, enters production. Egro’s new milk system (NMS) is released.

2014

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 11 wins the gold medal at the 2014 Excellence in Design Awards.

2015

OUR AWARDS

The Classe 11 wins the Red Dot Award in the Product Design category. It is the official espresso machine of the Italian Barista & Coffee Championship finals.

2015

Rancilio and Egro production lines

The Rancilio and Egro production lines shift from a trolley system to a flow system, with significant improvements in terms of quality as well as process and control performance.

2015

RANCILIO CLASSE 5 AND CLASSE 7

Marco Bonetto redesigns the Classe 5 and the Classe 7.

2016

Egro BYO - Bring Your Own

The new fully automatic coffee machine BYO (Bring Your Own) is introduced, allowing users to control the machine remotely via a tablet or smartphone.

2017

This year also sees the return of Giorgio Rancilio to the company; he is named President and CEO of Rancilio Group SpA.

2017

A NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

The German branch of Rancilio Group moves from Weikersheim to Frankfurt.

2017

A NEW BRANCH OFFICE OPEN

A new commercial office opens in Shanghai, China.

2018

RANCILIO SPECIALTY RS1

discover the designers

2018

Rancilio Silvia Balck

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rancilio Silvia, the iconic product of the Home Line, the company presents the Silvia Black, a special stainless-steel edition painted black.

2018

NEW BRANCH OFFICES OPEN

The inauguration of the new Madrid branch reinforces the Group’s presence on the Iberian Peninsula, where the Barcelona (Spain) and Porto and Lisbon (Portugal) branches are already operational.

2018

EGRO NEXT TOP MILK AND EGRO ZERO+

2019

OUR AWARDS

The Rancilio Specialty RS1 wins the silver medal at the Product Innovation Awards 2019.
The Rancilio Specialty RS1, selected for the ADI Design Index 2019, is amongst the finalists for the Compasso d’Oro award.

2019

Rancilio Group Company Garden

Inauguration of the Company Garden at Rancilio Group Headquarters. Every year over 1.000 kg of coffee grounds, used to test Rancilio and Egro products, can be recycled in the factory as fertiliser.

2019

A NEW CEO

Ruggero Ferrari becomes the new CEO of Rancilio Group SpA.

2019

EGRO SERVICE COMPETENCE CENTRE

2020

Renewable energy 100%

Thanks to a new supply agreement, the energy requirements of the Rancilio Group Headquarters are covered by a 100% renewable energy supply, as certified through the Guarantee of Origin scheme.

2020

Egro Next Touch Coffee

The Next Touch Coffee, the first fully automatic coffee machine designed for drip coffee, is released on the market. The new milk system (NMS+) developed for Egro Next enters production.

discover the designers

2020

NEW BRANCH OFFICES OPEN

Rancilio Group announces a business partnership with Moffat Group in Australasia: two new sales offices open in Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand).

2021

OUR AWARDS

Egro Next Touch Coffee is selected by iF International Forum of Design as best product design of the year for iF Design Award.