Mastering challenging times with a team that stands together

However, entering a conservative industry like beverage dispensing with such innovative ideas was no easy feat. "Human beings are very reluctant to change," Flegbo notes. "Perpetual habits are difficult to break." Initially, the market was shocked by the new leadership and vision, but over time, customers began to see the value in shifting from traditional fridges to Drinkotec's dispensing technology. "There's a difference between convincing customers and having them believe in the change," he explains. Rather than focusing on persuasion, Flegbo and his team concentrated on designing a product portfolio that naturally demonstrated the benefits of this switch.

But even with the best-laid plans, unexpected challenges arose. One such moment was when a key team member, the COO, unexpectedly decided to leave the company. "It was quite brutal, emotional, and a quick shift," Flegbo recalls. Yet, this challenging moment turned into an opportunity for the company to rethink its operations and provide growth opportunities for other team members. "This is where you see talented and committed employees stretch themselves to support the company in challenging times. I am proud of where we stand now in terms of company culture, how we keep our values high, how we managed the crises we went through, and how we stand together," he says.

Scaling internationally with big partners

One of the most significant milestones in Drinkotec's recent history was the partnership formed in 2022 with Multiplex, a major American manufacturer in the food service industry. "This partnership gave us a big boost, especially regarding engineering and go-to-market strategies," Flegbo says. Working with Multiplex opened doors to new customers and markets.

One extraordinary door opener was at an international business fair in Germany where Multiplex and Drinkotec had a shared booth, and the Spanish beer brand Mahou San Miguel passed by. "In an instant, they were amazed by us: Not only because of our innovative products but mostly because they could also envision a relationship in Spanish with us," says Flegbo in laughs. Flegbo was born in Spain and lived in Argentina for some years, which is why he is fluent in Spanish - a dual benefit that would lead to ending up with a collaboration with Mahou San Miguel. "Six years before, we dreamed of working with global beverage brands like this. Telling the story now sounds straightforward, but behind it are a lot of doubts, difficulties, and failures that we had to go through first.”

In seeking recognition and validation for their work, Drinkotec applied for the SEF Growth label. "As a Swiss company in the startup field, the Swiss Economic Forum High Potential for Growth label is well recognized," Flegbo notes. Gaining this label ensured they were heading in the right direction and provided them with a push to meet the highest standards.

Drinkotec Sàrl

Replacing bottled drinks with beverage dispensing solutions