Elektra (espresso machines)

Elektra srl is an Italian manufacturer of professional espresso and cappuccino equipment. Beside their core products, and automatic espresso machines, the company also manufactures coffee grinders and accessories.
Unlike other manufacturers of espresso machines Elektra does not produce super-automatic machines, but only machines with a manual portafilter. Elektra machines are mainly used in the business sector.
History and technology
The company was founded in 1947 by Umberto Fregnan and is still owned by the Fregnan family. From the beginning, Elektra's focus was on easy operation and maintenance. The company has been issued a large number of patents. In 1950 the first machine was presented with an automatic hydraulic unit. In addition to the water level control with float, which was developed by the company as a seal-less system, the company also developed automatic dispensing with an electrically controlled valve (1968) and the electronic delivery of five doses (1978).
Only copper is used for the boiler and 80 percent of parts are produced by Elektra itself. All machines are tested for 48 hours before delivery.
Models
Elektra produces two types of machines that are aimed at professional users () and consumers (). The professional line features seven different series with semi-automatic equipment. In the consumer line, the Nivola and Family Retro units can be ordered with semi-automatic equipment. There is also a model with a single-lever machine. The entire product range contains over 40 models. For each of the respective areas, mills and accessories are available.
Some models have the company's symbol, an eagle, sand cast and mounted on a chrome plate on top of the cover. Studs made from Murano glass are also available. Finally, some models have decorative panels with a coat of arms or the company logo attached.
Perception in the media
Elektra machines have been featured in some luxury goods and lifestyle publications, particularly retro style machines from the ‘Belle Epoque’ and ‘Family Retrò’ series.
Elektra machines have been used for decades in cafes and bars. Caffè Florian in Venice and Harrods department store in London prepare espresso using Elektra machines.
On 14 September 2010 an Elektra boiler burst which injured six people in a Sainsbury's supermarket in Farnborough, Hampshire. After the accident all the espresso machines at Sainsbury's were shut down. According to a study by the supermarket chain, the damage was caused by the manufacturer changing a safety valve in 2009, so Sainbury's reactivated their old Elektra machines. On 24 February 2012 Elektra stated that the accident was caused by the supermarket's faulty electrical connection and not a fault of the machine. This was confirmed by an independent testing laboratory.
Service
Elektra provides no direct support to customers who purchase their machines in the United States, where there are only a handful of distributors. The only way to obtain support is through a distributor.
See also
* Bialetti
* Cimbali
* De'Longhi
* Faema
* FrancisFrancis
* Gaggia
* La Marzocco
* Rancilio
* Saeco
* List of Italian companies

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