CUP&CINO acquires TONE – Strategic Expansion of the Premium Portfolio

Hövelhof, 21 November 2025 – CUP&CINO today announced the acquisition of the TONE brand. The global distribution network for TONE coffee systems will be fully integrated into the CUP&CINO GROUP. CUP&CINO, headquartered in Hövelhof for 30 years, is making a clear statement with this move: consolidating expertise and expanding its international distribution network. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the integration of TONE, the CUP&CINO GROUP grows to a total of four strong brands: CUP&CINO, Latte Art Factory, BaristaOne, and TONE. While CUP&CINO operates as a concept provider in Germany and Austria, Latte Art Factory, BaristaOne, and TONE form the International Division – focusing on technological excellence in the coffee industry.

Two Innovation Leaders Combine Their Strengths

Expanding the product portfolio is a strategic step to create targeted synergies for customers worldwide. TONE is known for its state-of-the-art, energy-efficient brewing systems and minimalist Swiss design, which combines functionality and sustainability. TONE machines set standards in precision, temperature control, and energy efficiency – making them a perfect complement to the milk and coffee systems from Latte Art Factory and BaristaOne

“With TONE, we are expanding our portfolio with the leading brewing technology in the batch coffee segment – a missing puzzle piece that completes our vision of being a holistic solution provider for the coffee industry,” explains Frank Epping, Founder and CEO of the CUP&CINO GROUP. “Together, we will offer our customers everything from a single source – from the perfect milk solution and fully automatic machines to the most innovative brewers in the industry.”

Shared Values and a Common Vision

Both CUP&CINO and TONE stand for continuous technological innovation, the highest quality equipment , and a premium experience for their customers. The combination of these values forms the foundation for sustainable growth, expanded market presence, and the strengthening of existing partnerships. 

“The integration of TONE in our portfolio fits perfectly in pursuit of quality, reliability, and innovation,” adds Sven Keysers, CEO of the International Division at CUP&CINO. “It’s not just about expansion, but also about building trust – cup by cup and relationship by relationship. Ultimately, it’s all about the customer experience: providing people worldwide with an exceptional coffee experience that combines technology, craftsmanship, and emotion.”

Holger Welz, founder of TONE, also emphasizes: “I am pleased that TONE technology and products can now be integrated into a larger portfolio of premium products and that the CUP&CINO GROUP shares our values and will consistently drive technological advancement and the international distribution of TONE products. This partnership opens up new opportunities for our customers worldwide.”

Continuity and Integration

The TONE team will be integrated into the CUP&CINO GROUP. Existing partnerships and business relationships will continue unchanged. Customers will also benefit from the expanded product portfolio and the global network of the Latte Art Factory and BaristaOne brands.

In the short term, the focus is on the seamless integration of the team and the successful continuation of ongoing projects with existing TONE partners. In the long term, the group aims to become one of the world’s leading providers of premium coffee technology with complete solutions from a single source.

About CUP&CINO

CUP&CINO was founded in 1995 and unites premium technology and coffee expertise under four brands: CUP&CINO, Latte Art Factory, BaristaOne, and TONE. With around 180 employees, the company based in Hövelhof is active in over 60 countries worldwide and stands for innovation, quality, and holistic solutions in the field of professional coffee concepts.

Say hello to TONE - one of the most innovative coffee makers on the market.

Our partner rRebel has written a wonderful article about TONE, which we naturally don't want to withhold from you. We have translated it for you, the original here:

At rRebel, we are proud distributors of TONE Swiss, and in this blog post we tell you more about TONE, what makes their coffee makers so great and the technology behind their success.

Maybe you run a coffee shop or café with a brewer you're not entirely happy with - or maybe you're feeling the spring in your step and dream of a brewer that can make cold brew in record time? 

Whether you brew batch after batch at a fast pace or run a quiet coffee shop with a wide variety of recipes, TONE will fulfil your needs.

The story behind TONE

With all the technical advancements happening in espresso machines, the idea for TONE came from the desire to increase precision in temperature control and water flow. But instead of limiting themselves to traditional coffee industry technologies and materials, TONE teamed up with global design and engineering experts to create a better, more beautiful, smarter and more thoughtful coffee brewer.

TONE had one mission - with four clear goals:

The technology behind TONE coffee makers

TONE brought together a team of engineers and coffee and tea specialists. Together they created a world-class brewer - one of the first energy-efficient coffee makers without a water tank. The result was a machine that offers full control over temperature and water flow while using up to 10 times less energy than traditional brewers.

TONE's innovation is driven by a user-friendly and intelligent software that allows you to save and customise multiple recipes. This makes it easy to work with different parameters and create precise brews.

 Do you have multiple coffee shops? No problem - you can easily programme the same recipe on all your TONE brewers.

 TONE also has a one-touch descaling programme, making it easy for baristas to maintain the equipment.

 The brewer is built with modular parts, making it easy to service and troubleshoot breakdowns.

What makes TONE a great coffee brewer?

Besides being elegant and minimalistic, TONE takes up very little space. Since it doesn't have a water tank, it takes up far less space than a traditional brewer - a clear advantage in cafés and bars where space behind and under the counter is limited. 

The entire unit stands on top of the counter. TONE uses heating elements instead of a water tank, providing precise temperature control and dramatically reducing energy consumption.

So, you save money and resources while getting exactly the brew you want. In just 2 seconds you have the desired temperature - ready for both filter coffee and tea.

With a simple interface and intuitive operation, TONE is as easy to use for the technically curious as it is for those who just want to press a button and brew great coffee.

TONE ❤️ Cold Brew

One of the most unique features of TONE is the ability to brew cold brew in record time. 

Are you used to brewing coffee hot and then cooling it down? Or maybe let it brew overnight? With TONE, that's no longer necessary. You can brew your cold brew in just 20 minutes - and the result is a cup of coffee where the aroma, flavour and nuances really stand out.

It's the only right choice for you and your coffee. 

Summing up!

We've now been through the story behind TONE - how it all started and why. The technology behind the development and what it is that makes TONE a great coffee brewer.

In other words: TONE is suitable for both, those who want a stable and reliable brewer and those who want to play with different brewing recipes and temperatures.

With TONE you get:

✔ Better coffee

✔ Precise control over temperature and recipe

✔ Lower resource consumption

✔ Financial savings

With TONE, you get better coffee with simpler brewing, while saving both money and natural resources. Not convinced yet? Drop by our showroom - we'll buy you a cup of coffee. Cold or hot. You decide - TONE brews!

Talk to you soon

rRebels

rRebel Denmark https://www.rrebel.dk

rRebel Sweden https://www.rrebel.se

rRebel Norway https://www.rrebel.no

Coffee with passion - Talk with Argin from Public Coffee Roasters & the future of brewing with TONE

Can you tell me a little about your company? 

In 2013, my brother and I founded Public Coffee Roasters—initially as a roastery without a roastery. We rented space from friends in the industry to roast our coffee. But as demand grew, it quickly became clear that we needed our own facility. Even before that, we had already opened a café on Wexstraße, which significantly contributed to the increasing volume and kept us busy on the sales side.

Eventually, we found our first dedicated location in Entenwerder—a roastery housed in a former customs house floating on the water. From there, our journey continued at full speed. Before the pandemic, we operated around 18 locations across Germany through a partnership with a coworking company, which significantly boosted our roasting volume. At the same time, our online shop and distribution channels steadily expanded.

Today, we run a large roastery in Rahlstedt, while our coffee academy is based in Entenwerder. Currently, we have five locations in Hamburg. After an exciting rollercoaster journey, our main focus is now on distribution rather than opening new cafés. 

How long have you been using TONE products? 

When the Touch 03 came onto the market, I was immediately hooked. I'd say we've been with it from the start. No previous machine could and can keep up with it.

How important is sustainability to you when choosing a coffee machine brand?

Yes, sustainability is of course always an issue in today's world. In addition, of course, there are also the rising energy costs. Very important, as an investment in these high-quality devices is only worthwhile if they are also durable.

How would you describe your overall experience with TONE products?

The experience with TONE devices is very positive. They are very high-quality machines which greatly facilitate workflow, especially on stressful days. With the option to program recipes yourself, there are no limits. The ability to brew from a single cup up to 1.5 litres is simply outstanding for our shops. This allows us to cater to the individual needs of our customers and our situation.

What does TONE offer that you haven’t found with other brands?

First, we were immediately drawn to the product design. Previously, coffee machines were either large, bulky chrome appliances or had to be laboriously powder-coated to match our design concept. Alternatively, there were smaller household solutions that had to be used in pairs but never truly fit.  

Especially for us here in the shop in Wexstraße, the size is also crucial. We don't have much space here for the Brewbar, the Touch 03 fits in perfectly and the big advantage of getting by without a boiler is a huge plus. The ease of use is also a major advantage. The system is intuitive, and the control via a tablet makes setting recipes particularly user-friendly. All in all, the Touch 03 is of high quality, compact and aesthetically pleasing.

What types of beverages do you typically prepare with the machine (e.g., coffee, tea, cold coffee/tea, or iced coffee/iced tea)?

Filter coffee & Tea - according to the customer's needs, a single cup or more. The different temperature settings also ensure the best possible drinking quality depending on the type of tea.


Why did you decide in favour of the TONE Touch 03 and not have the barista do the hand pour over?

A crucial factor was the consistent quality of the beverages. No matter how experienced a barista or brewer is – such consistency cannot be reproduced by hand. The machine operates with precisely calibrated pulses, ensuring that every cup is identical. With ten manually brewed pour-overs, there will inevitably be variations – the machine eliminates these fluctuations.

Additionally, it makes everyday work easier. Our employees juggle multiple tasks at once: orders, guests, the display case, incoming goods. During peak hours, a manual pour-over order can disrupt the entire workflow, leading to frustration and longer wait times.

With the machine, however, perfect coffee is ready in three minutes – efficient, consistent, and without adding extra stress to the team.

Do you associate TONE with specific qualities such as premium quality, technology, boilerless, sustainability, innovation, etc.?

Yes, we do. We associate premium quality with TONE due to its excellent craftsmanship and high-quality materials. The technology aspect is particularly evident in its boilerless system, which sets it apart from traditional machines. Sustainability is another key factor, as the energy-efficient design helps reduce overall consumption, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. When it comes to innovation, the unique design plays a significant role, offering both functionality and aesthetics that seamlessly integrate into modern café environments.

Additionally, the compact dimensions make TONE particularly suitable for smaller shops, such as those in locations like Wexstraße, where space efficiency is crucial.

Would you recommend TONE to others? Why or why not?

Yes, definitely for professional use. I have always described TONE as the ‘Apple of the coffee world’, the company is characterized by its innovation and always one step ahead.

What is your view on the future of coffee machines, and where do you see TONE in that future?

I see the future of coffee machines incorporating the latest technologies, such as thermoblocks and variable recipes, i.e., customizable operating programs. These elements bring out the best in coffee. In this regard, I see TONE as a strong company that can definitely help shaping the future of coffee machines.

TONE & ICOSA Brewhouse - exclusive collaboration

Limited offer for TONE Partners

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new collaboration between TONE and ICOSA Brewhouse, two innovators in the world of specialty coffee. Together, we’re elevating the coffee experience by combining TONE’s cutting-edge brewing technology with ICOSA’s Avensi Wave Collection, the world’s most innovative sensory drinkware.

The Avensi Wave Collection, with its patent-pending Aeration Wave design, is redefining how coffee aromas and flavors are experienced. This unique glassware, already a record-breaking success with over 3,700 pre-orders, perfectly complements the precision and consistency of the TONE Touch 03, creating an unforgettable coffee-tasting journey.

This partnership is a unique opportunity to showcase the synergy between TONE’s precision brewing and ICOSA’s sensory innovation, offering your customers an unparalleled coffee experience. For more details about this collaboration and the exclusive offers, please get in touch with your TONE Partner!

Let’s continue to innovate and inspire the coffee world together!


The newest Firmware 1.2.2 is here!

Get ready to unlock the full potential of your Touch 04 with this new enhancement designed to elevate your coffee experience... Keep reading!


What's new? When starting a water recipe, there were instances where a small amount of residual water from the previous coffee program would drip from the shower head. To address this, the bypass valve is now activated earlier, effectively preventing any dripping from the shower head.

How to install the new Firmware? Follow this simple step by step guide:

Why do you need a Firmware? A Firmware is the specialized software embedded in hardware devices that controls their basic functions and operations. It is essential because it ensures that the device runs correctly, can be updated to improve performance, and adapt to new requirements.

>> Download Firmware

>> Explore the TOUCH 04