You may not have heard of Epoca International, but we’re sure you’ve seen their products. Founded in New Jersey, the now Boca Raton-based company specializes in the distribution of coffee wares, beverage servers and containers, cookware and tea ware is sold in over 20,000 locations in stores across the world. Major retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, Amazon, Target and the Home Shopping Network have sold their products to thousands of people through many different channels.
“Doing Good Is Part Of Our Core And Expressed Through Our Actions”
The company focuses not just on making an eco-friendly friendly footprint, or lack thereof, but on being socially conscious. They believe that in making a strong brand, it can make an impact on today’s culture. By incorporating the history and tradition of others, they believe they can help to make products that echo the customs learned by traveling the world!
In 2011 the company moved to Boca Raton, which quickly became President Brian Melzer’s second home. Since then, the company has been waiting to open a second location, and now its time!
The new location will be at 931 Clint Moore Road, in an 11,000 square foot office. The new building will “provide increased space for both employees and new showroom space,” Melzer stated in an interview.
What Sets Them Apart from Other Companies?
Epoca International’s products are eco-friendly and BPA free. BPA is a chemical compound found in commercial epoxies and plastics that can seep into liquids and has been known to cause concerns in pregnant women.
In their cookware products, which fall under the Ecolution brand, they now use a PFOA-free compound that extends the life of their products. Products made with PFOA, a chemical used to manufacture heat and chemical resistance materials burns off after a period of time, whereas their Hydrolon PFOA-free cookware evaporates more slowly over time. PFOA is also known to break down very slowly over time, which makes for a pretty big carbon footprint.
Moreover, the company develops brands that lend themselves to sub brands, which allows retailers to differentiate their products and cater to consumers on a more intimate level.
Their product, referred to as the Primula Flavor It Beverage System, is BPA free and is built with an infuser that can be filled with fruit, spices or herbs to give a little zing to your favorite beverage of choice! The pitcher design won the 2013 Good Design award from Chicago Athenaeum, a museum dedicated to architecture and design.
“The idea is to show [brands] in a lifestyle fashion. For example, our Primula brand will have a craft coffee bar showing department stores how they can merchandise the different brewers to create a great experience for their consumers,” said Melzer.
Along with their physical expansion, they have been working to expand their product line as of recently! The company has begun working on new Primula brand hydration water bottles and non-stick bakeware made with more health conscious products, which will be marketed under their Ecolution cookware brand.
So Why Boca?
Why not!? According to Melzer, Florida’s business climate is “very conducive to [their] continued growth.” As we have seen over the course of a few years, many companies have migrated to South Florida to expand their business’. Epoca International even has design and engineering offices located in China, which offers them quite an advantage. While two of their offices are located on the eastern seaboard in New York and Boca Raton, they are able to provide 24-hour service to their customers.
Are They Hiring?
Yes! The company is said to hire packaging designers, inventory managers, web marketers, data managers and sales coordinators. They are hoping to add 17 new employees to their regional office here in Boca Raton.
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