History/Milestones
The Curtis name is synonymous with a full line of the world’s most advanced, top-of-the-line commercial coffee brewing equipment, iced tea brewing systems and specialty beverage dispensers. Founded in 1941, Curtis has remained a family-owned business that is committed to the principles of quality workmanship, personal loyalty and family values. The company has also embraced new innovations and technologies to better meet the needs of an ever-changing market. Its impressive list of company milestones include:1940's
1941 Wilbur Curtis founds the Wilbur Curtis Company located on Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, CA USA. 1946 Wilbur Curtis Company is moved to larger facilities on Indiana Street, Los Angeles, CA USA. 1950's
1955 Wilbur’s son, Robert A. “Bob” Curtis joins the company. The “Low Boy” Pour Over Coffee Urn is introduced. 1960's
1964 Margaret (Peggy) Curtis Named President and CEO. 1969 DB-12 Decanter is introduced. 1970's
1971 RU Series Automatic Coffee Urns are introduced. 1980's
1980 The Gemini® Satellite Brewing System is introduced. This unit provided the speed of a brewer with the quality of an urn and allowed for remote coffee stations, an industry first. 1990's
1991 Bob Curtis Named President & CEO 1994 Primo Cappuccino™ analog specialty powdered drink dispenser is introduced. 1996 Curtis ADS (Advanced Digital System) is introduced, a first in true digital controls of coffee brewers. Curtis was the first commercial manufacturer to receive ISO 9001 Certification. 2000's
2000 Curtis consolidates four smaller separate facilities and opens its global headquarters/manufacturing facility on Acco Street, Montebello, CA USA. 2001 TLP and Café Pour Over brewers introduced. 2002 G3 (Generation 3) Digital Technology is introduced and applied to the entire line of brewing systems. 2003 PCGT (Generation 3 Primo Cappuccino) Digitally controlled specialty drink dispenser is introduced. 2004 G3 ThermoPro™ Systems and Iced Tea Brewers are introduced. 2006 Curtis Milano™, a highly-styled, thermal brewing system is introduced. Early 2010's
2010 G3 Gemini® Intellifresh® introduced. 2011 Curtis celebrates 70 years of operation. G4 Digital Technology introduced providing advanced diagnostics and intuitive touch screen controls. FreshTrac™ Coffee Freshness System introduced. 2012 The Curtis Gold Cup, single cup coffee brewer is introduced. 2013 G4 Gemini Intellifresh Coffee Brewing System is introduced. Omega Ultra-High Volume Thermal Brewing System for Banquets and Hotels is introduced. 2014 Seraphim® Single Cup Brewer is introduced. Advanced design breaks the barrier between the barista and customer; adds theater to the brewing process. Mid 2010's
2015 Kevin Curtis Named President & CEO Mike Curtis Named Executive Vice President 2016 Curtis Celebrates 75th Anniversary at Bonaventure Hotel. Late 2010's
2018 GemX™ Introduced providing new freshness technology in a satellite brewing system. More Info Curtis Nitro Infuser is introduced to quickly nitrogenate cold brew coffee, tea and other beverages. More Info Chill-X™ Frozen Drink Dispenser is introduced. More Info ThermoProX™ Stylized Thermal Brewing System is introduced with Thermal FreshTrac Dispensing System. More Info 2019 Groupe SEB acquires the Wilbur Curtis Company. Establishes SEB Professional Coffee Machines – The Americas. The division consists of WMF, Schaerer and Curtis.