CAFEC

What CAFEC does

CAFEC is a specialty coffee equipment brand operated by Sanyo Sangyo Co., Ltd., a privately held Japanese manufacturer founded in 1973 in Beppu, Oita Prefecture. The company designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary paper filters, drippers, and drip kettles globally, anchored by its Two-Side Crepe Air Through Dry paper-making technology and its Osmotic Flow brewing theory. The product portfolio spans filter papers (Abaca, Abaca+, SFP with FSC certification, and roast-level-specific T-92/T-90/T-83 variants), drippers (the FLOWER DRIPPER family including DEEP 27, DEEP 45, OVAL, and Arita-ware porcelain models), and precision kettles (the Tsubame-handcrafted TSUBAME PRO and the Tritan DRIP KETTLE OSMO). Filter paper constitutes the company's heritage category — Sanyo Sangyo was the world's first developer of cone-shaped paper filters — while the dripper and kettle lines represent more recent brand-led extensions built around the Osmotic Flow design philosophy.

The company makes money through B2B2C wholesale of physical goods to exclusive country-level distributors, with one distributor per country covering 30+ markets across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. Products are sold in unit-pack formats (e.g., 40- or 100-sheet filter packs; 12- or 24-piece cases for kettles and drippers) at undisclosed retail pricing, with no software, subscription, or service revenue streams disclosed. Target end customers span specialty coffee professionals (baristas, roasters, competition participants), home coffee enthusiasts, and HORECA accounts. Marketing is driven by competition sponsorship, YouTube educational content, trade show presence (Taiwan International Coffee Show, LA Mass Mediation Initiative), and brand ambassadors including championship-winning baristas Daiki Hatakeyama and coffee journalist Taizo Iwasaki. The company has not raised external capital and remains wholly founder-led under CEO Shigeji Nakatsuka.

Name

CAFEC

Legal name

Sanyo Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Website

https://cafec-jp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CAFEC is a Japanese specialty coffee equipment brand (Sanyo Sangyo, est. 1973) that manufactures proprietary paper filters, FLOWER DRIPPER cones, and Tsubame-crafted kettles, distributing globally through 30+ exclusive country distributors serving baristas, home brewers, and HORECA accounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Brewing Equipment

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAFADAE

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes)

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Cafes & Coffee Shops

SECONDARYCRACADAC

Coffee, Espresso & Tea Appliances Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Electronics & Appliances Retail/Small Appliance & Kitchen Gadget Retail

SECONDARYCRAHAGAI

Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories)

Consumer Products & Retail/Grocery & Food Retail/Specialty Food Stores (Deli, Cheese, Gourmet, Bakery)

Keywords

• Paper coffee filters
• Pour-over drippers
• Specialty coffee equipment
• Drip kettles
• Coffee brewing tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Oita

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Coffee Brewing Equipment: Sale of proprietary coffee drippers (FLOWER DRIPPER series), drip kettles (Tsubame Pro, Drip Kettle OSMO), coffee servers, and accessories. Products are manufactured in Japan using Tritan resin and specialty materials.
2. Filter Paper Products: Sale of specialty filter papers including Abaca, Abaca+, SFP (FSC certified), roasting level special papers, and dedicated filters for DEEP drippers. Available in cone-shaped, trapezoid, and specialized formats.
3. Roasted Coffee and Drip Coffee: Production and sale of roasted coffee beans and drip coffee products. Company operates 2 café shops and 1 restaurant, and produces stick sugar and milk products.
4. Wholesale and OEM: Wholesale of coffee filter paper and equipment. Company has historical experience as OEM manufacturer for filter papers since foundation in 1973.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CAFEC manufactures and sells specialty coffee brewing equipment — paper filters (Abaca, Abaca+, SFP, Roasting Level Special), cone and trapezoid pour-over drippers (FLOWER DRIPPER family), ultra-fine spout drip kettles (Tsubame Pro, Drip Kettle OSMO), and matching servers/grinders/accessories. Sales are made primarily through an exclusive per-country distributor network plus OEM/wholesale of filter paper.

Product overview

CAFEC is a Japanese coffee equipment brand by Sanyo Sangyo, founded in 1973, offering a comprehensive pour-over coffee brewing ecosystem. The product portfolio centers on Three core categories: (1) Filter Papers including Abaca, Abaca+, SFP (FSC-certified), Traditional, and Roasting Level Special papers (T-92/T-90/T-83) featuring Two-Side Crepe Air Through Dry technology; (2) Drippers spanning FLOWER DRIPPER, FLOWER DRIPPER DEEP 27 (27° angle for single cup), FLOWER DRIPPER DEEP 45 (45° angle for 3-7 cups), FLOWER DRIPPER OVAL (trapezoid shape), and Arita ware drippers; (3) Drip Kettles including DRIP KETTLE OSMO and TSUBAME PRO. Supporting accessories include Tritan servers/beakers, Multi Fit Lid, filter stands, TSUBAME MILL grinder, bamboo pour over holder, measuring spoon, and STARTER KIT bundles. The OTEMAE Coffee Series offers a Japanese tea ceremony-inspired coffee experience with Mino-ware vessels. All products are designed based on CAFEC's Osmotic Flow brewing theory emphasizing ideal water flow and filtering layer depth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Paper Filters (Abaca, Traditional, Cone & Trapezoid) CAFEC's signature filter papers — Abaca, Traditional, cone-shaped and trapezoid — sold wholesale/distributor and made using proprietary Two-Side Crepe Air Through Dry technology for specialty coffee brewing.
• Roasting Level Special Paper Filters (T-92 / T-90 / T-83) Three specialized filter papers (T-92 light, T-90 medium-dark, T-83 dark roast) that automatically tune brewing speed based on bean roast, giving consistent extraction without advanced technique.
• Abaca+ Filter Paper Next-generation filter paper using Fine-Grained crepe manufacturing with FSC certification; narrower crepe spacing increases surface area and smooths water flow for professional baristas.
• SFP (Support Forest Paper) Filter FSC-certified sustainable filter paper for environmentally conscious specialty coffee professionals and consumers.
• FLOWER DRIPPER (Cone) Cone-shaped dripper with flower-shaped ribs that keep air between the paper and dripper to enable full coffee bloom; made in BPA-free Tritan in multiple colors.
• FLOWER DRIPPER DEEP 27 Single-cup dripper with a 27° bottom angle and deep filtering layer for ultimate single-cup flavor development; made from Tritan material in multiple colorways.
• FLOWER DRIPPER DEEP 45 Multi-cup (3-7 cups) dripper with a 45° bottom angle and deep filtering layer combining flower ribs and linear ribs for smooth extraction.
• FLOWER DRIPPER OVAL (101/102) Trapezoid-shaped dripper combining flower rib design with oval top for deeper filtering layer; available in 101 (1-2 cups) and 102 (2-4 cups) sizes for mellow and rich flavor.
• Arita ware Flower Dripper High-quality Japanese porcelain dripper made in Arita (a 400-year-old craft region), in trapezoid shape (101/102 sizes), finished in matte black for premium café and collector use.
• DRIP KETTLE OSMO Ultra-fine spout drip kettle for precision pour-over at 350ml, made from Tritan with a gently curved bird's beak tip for clean pours with minimal dripping.
• TSUBAME PRO (Stainless Coffee Pot) Handcrafted stainless steel drip kettle from Tsubame City featuring a 6.0mm ultra-fine spout, IH-compatibility, and thermometer insertion capability for precise pour-over brewing.
• Tsubame Wood Coffee Pot Stainless drip kettle variant finished with wood accents, combining Tsubame stainless craftsmanship with traditional wooden detailing.
• STARTER KIT All-in-one pour-over bundle combining Abaca+ paper filter, Tritan FLOWER DRIPPER and Tritan Beaker Server designed for beginner home brewers.
• TSUBAME MILL (Coffee Grinder) Coffee grinder with ceramic blades and disassemblable/washable components, designed for fresh grinding before CAFEC pour-over brewing.
• OTEMAE Coffee Series Japanese tea ceremony-inspired coffee experience using hand-drip coffee whisked in a tea bowl to incorporate air, paired with Mino-ware taste cups and the OTEMAE MAROMU Bowl.
• Roasted Coffee and Drip Coffee Products Roasted coffee beans and drip coffee products sold through CAFEC's own café and restaurant operations, completing the company's brewed-coffee offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• JHDC 2019 Champion achieved using CAFEC Flower Dripper and Abaca Paper Filter
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

40 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.

• Daiki HatakeyamakeyOthers · 1 January 2019Champion barista and CAFEC Ambassador. Japan Hand-Drip Championship 2019 Champion, Japan Brewers Cup 2019 Champion, World Brewers Cup 2021 2nd Place. Uses CAFEC products in competitions and promotes brand.
• Happytopia x CAFEC USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor representing CAFEC products. Active Wisdom Corporation was rebranded to Happytopia x CAFEC USA to promote healthy lifestyle and sustainable living through specialty coffee. Located in Torrance, CA.
• Cafuné BoutiquecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian distributor connecting coffee lovers with products that inspire elevated home brewing. Values quality, craft, design and sustainability.
• Alta CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChile distributor striving for perfection in coffee making. Founded by Mr. Julio C. Ponce, focused on nurturing and educating customers on specialty coffee culture.
• HR COFFEE EQUIPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanama distributor passionate about Panama Geisha Coffee. Achieved clean and sweet cup results with CAFEC paper and Flower Dripper filters.
• SUNAO COFFEEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeru/Bolivia distributor founded by Eduardo Romero Tenorio and Gabriela Pinedo Zagaceta. Chosen for superior extraction results, sustainability perspective, and expertise in paper-making technology.
• KOHIRAIFUcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetherlands/Belgium distributor. Name means 'Coffee Life' in Japanese. Inspired by Japanese drip coffee culture to help everyone make awesome coffee at home.
• VAYGA SAS (KAWA Coffee)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrance distributor. Founder Alexis Gagnaire achieved 3rd place at WAC 2019 using CAFEC filters. Provides testing and education for customers to brew unique coffees.
• Cascara Coffee Trading LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor selected CAFEC for outstanding quality products and brewing excellence ethos. Entering UK market with CAFEC partnership.
• Quba Café Serwis KubiakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPoland distributor. Believes quality matters and shares CAFEC's ethics and love for coffee. Offers perfect filtering solutions for various coffee origins and profiles.
• Kaffebrenneriet AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorway distributor searching for better quality filter papers. Found CAFEC roasting level and Abaca filters as perfect match for quality and sustainability needs.
• Crema / PPL Media LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinland distributor with 3000+ products serving customers in 60+ countries. Founded in 2007 in Helsinki with mission to offer best possible coffee moments.
• CAPTN CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGermany/Switzerland distributor founded by two friends sharing passion for good coffee. Aims to help everyone make high-quality coffee at home with best equipment.
• CafeBoutiquecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUkraine specialty roaster seeking best filters for pour-overs. CAFEC met their request for light roast and omni-profile filters.
• Bloom Specialty CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItaly distributor offering wide range of CAFEC brewing equipment solutions for coffee enthusiasts, professional baristas, and competition participants.
• CafeshicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpain distributor founded in 2024 with ambition to bring best coffee preparation options to Spanish coffee community.
• KALKO-Electric AppliancescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreece distributor serving HORECA sector and specialty coffee stores. Selected CAFEC for commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and exceptional taste aligned with their values.
• Tin CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTurkey distributor with vision to elevate coffee experience. Shares CAFEC's research and scientific approach to filter papers and drippers.
• Source of good tradingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaudi Arabia distributor. Recognized CAFEC's Two-Side Crepe paper elegance and Flower Dripper design that makes coffee flow easier.
• Flat White Specialty CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQatar distributor - first specialty coffee shop in Qatar. Founded by Nasser Al-Naemi and Maryam Al-Bader. Mission to introduce specialty coffee culture in Qatar.
• Score High General Trading LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUAE distributor recognizing CAFEC as quality products that are pieces of art. Led by CEO Mr. Ahmed Mohsen, impressed by Mr. Shigeji Nakatsuka's attention to detail.
• STOCKROOM Milling & Roasting CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKuwait distributor believing in people over products. CAFEC's innovation and development approach aligns with their culture.
• JuSan coffee HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBahrain distributor passionate about manual brewing. Achieves consistency with CAFEC paper filter by customizing brew to different roast levels.
• COLAB ltd (Jubran Coffee)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIraq distributor - first specialty coffee roaster via Jubrancoffee.com. Also established first coffee tool store Kshtaiq.com showcasing powerful brands.
• Tabella Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKorea distributor with 9 years introducing Japanese coffee brands. Believes CAFEC's manufacturing expertise can carve distinctive niche in Korean market.
• Taiwan Sanyo International Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaiwan distributor. CEO Mr. Shang Hsieh believes in CAFEC's potential born from Mr. Nakatsuka's passion for easy home brewing. Sanyo has nearly 50 years history.
• MOLA CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina distributor (重庆尚轩工贸有限公司). Met Sanyo Sangyo 10 years ago and now markets as 'MOLA x CAFEC'. Developed sales channels from zero in China.
• John Goshen Agritech Ventures Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhilippines distributor (JG Agritech). Partnered based on shared passion and vision of bringing good coffee to homes. Inspired by CAFEC ABACA filters' material innovation.
• Adiraja Persada Teknologi CVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndonesia distributor providing consistent quality CAFEC filters for controlling great coffee extraction.
• Beans Here Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThailand distributor emphasizing that paper filter plays important role in flow rate restriction. Recommends CAFEC Abaca Paper for high flow rate and less papery smell.
• ContourcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMalaysia distributor choosing CAFEC for reliability and quality. Products designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind.
• SIX ELEVEN PTE Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSingapore distributor. Barista and coffee enthusiast Avin Tan was changed by CAFEC filter paper quality - coffees taste cleaner, sweeter, and juicier.
• Barista SuppliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia distributor - family owned business with 20+ years industry experience. Proud to bring CAFEC's elite brewing gear to Australian homes and professionals.
• BENKI BREWING TOOLScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia distributor specializing in specialty coffee. Impressed by founder Shigeji Nakatsuka's passion for craft and innovation in filtration technology.
• Mou Coffee RoasterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrunei distributor celebrating science of coffee and obsession with detail. Proud to represent CAFEC and take nation's brewing experience to new heights.
• M3 Coffee & ZakkacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong distributor selecting CAFEC for highly reliable, consistent quality products with emphasis on precision brewing. Appreciates Japanese craftsmanship.
• Shun KurosawakeyOthersJHDC 2020 (held 2022) Champion at PORTERS COFFEE. Won using CAFEC Flower Dripper and Abaca Paper Filter.
• Artisan Roastery Sdn BhdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMalaysia distributor. Joey Mah - Permanent Honorary Ambassador. Selected CAFEC for quality of ABACA paper (2 sides flow allows better extraction control) and relationship with the team.
• Taizo IwasakikeyOthersCoffee journalist and CEO of COURO Co., Ltd. DEEP27 Ambassador in 2023, CAFEC Ambassador in 2025. Runs YouTube channel 'Coffee Journalist Taizo Iwasaki' with ~110,000 subscribers.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)minorOthersInternational certification organization. CAFEC holds FSC certification for SFP (Support Forest Paper) filter products, ensuring traceability and sustainable forest management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hario: Long-established Japanese glassware and coffee equipment manufacturer, best known for the V60 dripper and conical filter papers. Direct competitor in pour-over drippers and filter papers, with broader category presence across Europe, US, and Asia.
• Kalita Co., Ltd. Japanese coffee equipment maker—sister brand to Hario—producing the Wave dripper and trapezoid filters. Directly competes with CAFEC in pour-over drippers and filter papers, particularly in Japan and East Asia.
• Origami Dripper: Japanese maker of ceramic and plastic origami-shaped drippers used in competition brewing. Direct peer in the dripper category, with comparable championship credibility and East Asian design influence.
• Kinto Co., Ltd. Japanese lifestyle / tableware brand with deep coffee equipment line (drippers, servers, kettles). Direct competitor in premium home pour-over equipment with similar Japanese craftsmanship positioning and global retail distribution.
• AeroPress, Inc. Manufacturer of the iconic AeroPress brewer and companion paper filters. Direct competitor in manual specialty coffee brewing equipment and reusable paper filters, with strong champion/endorser narrative.

Others

• Eastman Tritan (Eastman Chemical): Material supplier to CAFEC for Tritan copolyester resin used in FLOWER DRIPPER and server products. Not a direct competitor but a key enabling partner and adjacent ecosystem participant for premium coffee equipment manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• Melitta Group: German coffee conglomerate and inventor of paper coffee filters. Broad incumbent with overlapping filter paper, dripper, and coffee equipment lines, well-established in European and American grocery and HORECA channels.
• Breville Group: Australian kitchen appliance maker with a significant specialty coffee equipment portfolio (Bambino, Barista Express, Dual Boiler). Broad incumbent in the home espresso/pour-over adjacent category, much larger and publicly traded.
• Chemex Corporation: Iconic American pour-over brand (Chemex brewer) and bonded paper filter manufacturer. Direct peer in the ceremonial pour-over segment with strong premium brand recognition in the US specialty coffee market.

Emerging players

• Fellow Products: Design-forward specialty coffee equipment brand (Ode grinder, Stagg kettle, Aiden brewer) targeting premium home and small-office segments. Compares on craftsmanship positioning and DTC-driven specialty coffee leadership, though more capitalized.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CAFECjapan

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAFEC