New video: Decent Factory Tour
In December, I shot this walking tour of the Decent Espresso factory.
I move from the video studio, through the front entrance, via boxing, Alex's R&D, Alfred's cave, saying hi to Paul, Celine and Bugs, and then through each step of the factory, where we build our espresso machines. You'll see the machines being built at each stage, as well as quickly meeting each person who is the “master” of each component.
COVID was still very much a thing in Hong Kong at the time, so you'll see a lot of people wearing masks. I was really trying to get our video production quality up, so I was recording a new video every day. We did so for 3 months. So, that's why this video is appearing 11 months later, as we're still editing the stuff shot a year ago. Sorry about the sound being a bit loud and scratchy, as we had to turn the gain up on the microphone, since this is a working factory, and not a studio.
I'm pleased with this video, because: if you've been following us for a few years, and you compare what you see today, to what we were several years, wow! you'd never have guessed we'd get to this point.
Here's how things stood in 2018, to compare with today.
AI Summary
Decent Espresso, based in Hong Kong, operates an 8-room, 24,000-square-foot factory dedicated to manufacturing high-end espresso machines. The tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at their production process, quality testing, and engineering expertise. The tour begins in the video studio, formerly a warehouse, and progresses through various sections of the facility. The factory is designed for efficient assembly, testing, and shipping, ensuring high-quality machines reach customers quickly.
Key Highlights
- Shipping & Boxing:
- Machines are shipped within 24 hours of purchase.
- Each machine is packaged in a suitcase for protection.
- Stress Testing Room:
- Machines undergo durability tests with some logging over 200,000 espressos.
- Components are tested for longevity to ensure reliability.
- R&D & Customization:
- Engineers experiment with laser etching for custom designs.
- Various components are continuously refined for performance improvements.
- Factory Operations & Assembly:
- Three production lines assemble 50 machines each at a time.
- Skilled engineers oversee different components like the manifold (water control system) and heaters.
- High-quality materials, including Korean aerogel and Corning glass, are used in the Group Head Controller (GHC).
- Quality Control & Final Testing:
- Machines are pressure-tested for leaks and undergo a “Hi-Pot” high-voltage insulation test.
- Burn-in testing ensures machines operate flawlessly under prolonged heat conditions.
- Every machine is filmed during final tests, and videos are available to customers.
- Staff & Work Culture:
- The factory includes a kitchen where employees share meals.
- Each employee has a custom cartoon portrait displayed as part of the company's culture.
- Final Stages & Shipment:
- Machines are inspected under a 4K camera in a lightbox to check for cosmetic flaws.
- Fully assembled units are stored before being transported to the boxing area for shipping.
Conclusion
Decent Espresso's factory tour showcases a meticulous, high-quality production process driven by engineering expertise, rigorous testing, and a dedication to innovation. Their commitment to durability and performance ensures customers receive reliable espresso machines, making them a standout manufacturer in the industry.
Updated 2023/11/03