Chinese Coffee Machine Innovators Achieve Global Success Through Smart Technology and Exports

Two innovative coffee machine manufacturers based in Shenzhen, China, have become standout players in the city’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. By embracing advanced smart technology, these companies have significantly increased their overseas sales and established themselves as key exporters in the global market.

In Shenzhen’s Bao’an District, a technology industrial park recently hosted international buyers from Georgia, who visited Cino Technology, a leading coffee machine producer. Following detailed discussions, the company secured a large order for 100,000 units.

“Orders are crucial for our business, but they also come with immense responsibility. We have to ensure we deliver our best,” said Liu Youliang, chairman of Cino Technology.

Liu shared that the company achieved over $22 million in export revenue in 2024, with new orders already booked through the second half of the year. The company plans to export more than 30,000 machines during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday.

Cino Technology’s coffee machines are now available in 87 countries and regions. However, the company’s path to success was not without challenges. Liu recalled a difficult period when their traditional home coffee machines struggled to meet changing market demands, leading to financial strain.

“We were on the verge of collapse. That’s when I realized we needed to focus on developing our own core technology,” Liu explained.

A breakthrough came during a government-sponsored international trade fair, where Liu identified a growing demand for high-end commercial coffee machines.

“Starting from scratch was tough. The technical requirements were much higher, and we had no prior experience to rely on,” said Zhang Yuanxian, the company’s technical director.

After three years of intensive research and development, the company transformed its product line from low-cost machines priced at just a few dozen dollars to high-end commercial models worth over $1,300.Today,CinoTechnologyholdsmorethan270domesticandinternationalpatentsacross40productsandgeneratesannualrevenueexceeding200millionyuan($27.6 million).

Nearby, another innovative company, RobotAnno, is making waves with its futuristic approach. Founded by entrepreneur Huang Huang, the company specializes in robotic coffee machines.

“Meeting international clients has become a regular part of my routine. Our sales team is swamped, and my English has improved significantly,” Huang said with a smile.

RobotAnno’s machines feature fully automated processes. Customers can select their preferred coffee type and latte art design with a simple click, and a robotic arm prepares the drink in just 90 seconds. This advanced technology recently impressed an Indian buyer, who immediately placed an order.

Over the past six years, Huang’s young research team, with an average age of 25, has focused on developing new applications for robotic arms. Using motion capture technology and proprietary control systems, they conducted thousands of tests and improvements to perfect the replication of barista-crafted latte art.

“These movements are based on capturing the actions of professional baristas, which the robots then replicate. We used nearly three tons of milk during testing,” Huang explained.

2024 has been a standout year for RobotAnno, with export values doubling compared to the previous year. In addition to coffee robots, the company’s product line—including cocktail and ice cream robots—has been exported to over 60 countries and regions, including North America and Europe.

With government support, Huang recently partnered with a tech company that uses big data to analyze market trends and help SMEs expand their online global presence.

“In 2024, we facilitated the participation of over 200 enterprises in nearly 30 international trade fairs. The government is committed to supporting small and medium-sized foreign trade companies, helping them secure orders and providing comprehensive services,” said Cai Qingdong, deputy director of the Bao’an District Bureau of Commerce.

In 2024, Shenzhen’s total import and export value surpassed four trillion yuan ($552 billion) for the first time, marking a 16.4% year-on-year increase. Private enterprises accounted for over 70% of this total, underscoring their critical role in driving the city’s foreign trade growth.