The story begins in Trieste, Italy, the Adriatic port town where coffee first entered Europe, and where in 1933, company founder Francesco Illy developed the modern espresso machine. The story is still being written today by President and CEO Andrea Illy, representing a third generation of illy family leadership.

Rich and full-bodied, yet velvety smooth: distinctly illy. Ask discerning coffee lovers what makes them passionate about illy, and chances are, this is what they'll say. You'll hear it in 140 countries, where illy's singular, signature blend - a rich symphony of nine pure, sustainably grown Arabica beans from four continents - delights millions of coffee lovers at home, at fine hotels, restaurants and cafes, and at work, every day.

illy is where experience, taste, scientific curiosity, art and culture come together to create a multidimensional and multisensory pleasure in the cup. You can find it in every bean, and in every visually striking espresso machine illy designs; in the illy collection of cups produced by art's contemporary masters; at every espressamente illy, the worldwide chain of Italian-style coffee bars; and in the Artisti del Gusto ("Artists of Taste") international network of leading independent cafes and skilled baristas.

illy considers respect for the environment and people that nurture coffee a fundamental part of doing business -- in evidence every day for 20 years across Central America, South America, India and Africa. It is expressed through Università del caffè ("University of Coffee") providing hands-on instruction at no cost to coffee growers, and in the above-market prices illy guarantees to growers who meet its quality standards. And it is is recognized by independent arbiters like DNV (Det Norske Veritas), which in 2011 conferred its first-ever global Responsible Supply Chain Process Certification to illy, in recognition of sustainability in every aspect of its coffee sourcing, particularly the ethical, long-term direct relationships with coffee growers.

Francesco Illy's innovative spirit lives on today through advances like iperEspresso, a five-patent-protected rethinking of espresso preparation, made simple for all; in illy issimo , a ready-to-drink coffee distributed globally through a joint venture with the Coca Cola Company; and in bringing café-quality espresso to offices, with capsule convenience, through Mitaca, a company owned 50% by illy.

The Illy family remains deeply involved in company leadership. Joining CEO Andrea Illy are his brother Riccardo Illy, vice president, and sister Anna Illy, who continues the pioneering work with coffee growers on four continents of their father, the late Dr. Ernesto Illy, who passed away in 2008 and was the son of Francesco. Dr. Illy's wife, Anna Rossi Illy, serves as honorary president.