Who We Are
Office Barista is part of Ratio Brand Distribution, a family business with deep roots: operating in Belfast since 1967 and Dublin since 1975. We deliver over 10 million drinks and 3 million snacks every year across the UK & Ireland - because we believe every office deserves great coffee.
Early Days: Vending Was Everything
- The company began in 1967 under the name SERVICE SALES, reflecting a strong focus on customer service.
- Initially, vending - particularly for hot drinks - was a big part of the business. The company built steady relationships with large local employers in Belfast, such as Michelin, Harland & Wolff, among others.
- As demand for in-cup hot drinks rose in the 1980s, we saw opportunity. To respond, we established our own packing plant - this allowed for better quality control and more competitive pricing.
Key Milestones in Our Evolution
- 1988: We became the exclusive distributor for the KLIX drinks system in Ireland, strengthening our in-cup vending offering.
- 1990s: The rise of "freshpack" technology (for roast & ground coffee plus real leaf tea) transformed what vending could offer. Systems like this lead into what is now the Flavia range.
- 2008: Recognising the changing tastes, we entered the "Bean-to-Cup" segment. High quality, freshly ground coffee became a priority. Key brands like Lavazza were added.
Office Barista
- Over time, we understood that quality coffee machines needed their own focus.
- That's when the Office Barista brand was created: to focus squarely on office coffee machines - especially single-serve and bean-to-cup - for workplaces that demand something better than a standard coffee vending machine.
- Today, we provide a wide variety of coffee machines (pods, bean-to-cup etc.), plus the associated supplies, for UK & Ireland businesses of all sizes.
Technology That Matters Now
Automation & Smart Features
- Connectivity (e.g. remote monitoring of machine status, bean/pod supply) helps maintenance and reduces downtime and waste. Components that are easy to clean, make hygiene a key factor.
Variety & Quality of Drinks
- Staff expect more than "just coffee" from their hot drinks machine: real tea, speciality options (latte, flat white, cold brew), even customisation.
- Fresh beans, quality roasts, and flavour consistency matter more than ever.
Cost & Total Value
- It's no longer just about machine purchase price - it's about maintenance, ongoing supplies (beans, pods, filters), power usage, user satisfaction, and machine lifespan.
- Many businesses are evaluating cost per cup, reliability, and support rather than just upfront investment.
Where We Are Now & Looking Forward
- We continue to work with trusted brands (e.g. Lavazza, Bravilor, Coffetek & Gaggia etc) to offer machines that reflect these higher expectations.
- Our operations benefit from being part of a larger group (WISE Vending, etc) which helps us take advantage of economies of scale for improved supply chains and better pricing.
- Recently, we've expanded and upgraded our logistics software to ensure fast support across the UK & Ireland.
What To Expect From An Office Coffee Machine (Today)
If you're considering upgrading your office coffee machine these are now the typical expectations:
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Feature
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Why It Matters
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Fresh beans or high-quality roast coffee
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Better flavour, fewer artificial tastes
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Easy maintenance & cleaning
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Hygiene, lower downtime
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Variety of drink types (espresso, latte, tea)
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Staff/customer satisfaction
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Remote or smart monitoring
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Predictive maintenance, smoother service
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Energy efficiency & low running cost
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Saves money & environmental impact
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Conclusion
What started as a vending-focused company has evolved into a premium office coffee provider. The needs of offices have changed: people expect better flavour, more drink choice & easier maintenance. At Office Barista, that's exactly what we're delivering - and will continue to evolve with.
