essence of the craft: the best idea award

Essence of Craft is a journey into the making of La Marzocco, a visual and narrative exploration of the craft of our espresso machines, the precision, and the human presence behind each step.

Human Touch, the first capsule in the series, explores the artisans whose hands shape every machine—from preparation to assembly—revealing the rhythm, responsibility, and pride behind each step. This first article takes us inside the workshop and welding department, where the steam boilers, the heart of the machine, begin to take shape.

Best Idea Award: improving the work, starting from the people who do it

Behind every La Marzocco espresso machine is a chain of skilled hands bringing it to life. The final stage is packaging: a delicate step that requires care, precision, and responsibility.

Today, commercial machines are lifted and placed onto pallets using a dedicated crane. This solution ensures greater safety, reduces physical strain, and protects operators’ health. But until a few years ago, this operation was carried out manually, lifted by the packaging team.

The change started with an internal idea. An operator in the packaging department, experiencing that movement every day, proposed introducing a lifting system to reduce ergonomic risks and make the process more efficient. From that practical observation came a simple yet meaningful evolution: less physical load on people, more control during handling, and a smoother workflow.

This is the spirit behind the Best Idea Award, established years ago to recognize contributions that improve production flow and workplace organization. It is an award that places value on those who work hands-on in each department and deeply understand processes, critical points, and opportunities for improvement.

In recent years, awarded ideas have covered many different areas:

Tools and jigs are designed to facilitate assembly and prevent defects or scratches.
Modifications to wiring and sub-assemblies to reduce errors and assembly time.
Layout and logistics optimizations.
Digital tools to simplify the management of data, spare parts, and firmware.
Solutions aimed at improving safety, quality, and sustainability.

Often small, targeted interventions — but with a real impact on efficiency, costs, and people’s well-being.

The crane now used in packaging is a concrete example of how innovation at La Marzocco is not only technological, but cultural. Machines continue to be assembled with a deeply artisanal approach, where craftsmanship and expertise remain central. At the same time, it is equally important that people continuously observe their work and contribute ideas to improve it.