Lifting the Load: How a Kent Coffee Roaster is Brewing Up Safety

In Kent, a local coffee roaster is making waves with a smart investment in safety. Bent Tree Coffee Roasters has just installed a new overhead crane system. This isn't just about lifting heavy bags of coffee beans. It's about keeping workers safe and making the business run smoother. The crane is a big deal. It can handle 150-pound bags of coffee beans with ease. Before, moving these bags required a team of people. Now, it's a one-person job. This upgrade is part of a $30, 000 project. A chunk of that money came from a $25, 000 grant from JobsOhio and Team NEO. Ryan Brannon, the managing partner, sees this as a win-win. "It's about keeping our team safe while setting us up for the future, " he said. The crane isn't just about safety. It also improves workflow and creates room for growth. Bent Tree Coffee Roasters started small in 2011. It was just a downtown cafe. Now, it's a regional brand. They supply grocery chains, restaurants, and coffee lovers all over Northeast Ohio. They have a roastery on North Mantua Street and a coffeehouse downtown. The crane was built and installed by PWI, an engineering company from northern Indiana. They designed the system specifically for Bent Tree. This investment shows Bent Tree's commitment to their team and their community. Safety first, but also smart business. That's the message here. By investing in their workers and their operations, Bent Tree is brewing up a better future for everyone.