As the largest private provider of residential and care centres, the Tertianum Group operates almost 100 establishments throughout Switzerland. Since its foundation in 1954 with the first care home in Berlingen/Thurgau, the company has grown significantly – and is planning to continue this trend. For guests, this means that they always have the chance to choose to live how they want. The facilities of the Tertianum Group include family-style homes with 14 beds as well as senior centres and exclusive 5-star residences. The approximately 6500 guests are on average 80 to 90 years of age, so the service is deliberately designed to be comprehensive and ranges from many different activities to assistance with daily tasks and individualised care. Tertianum strives not only to stand at the side of people through all phases of old age, but also to offer them a fulfilling experience all around. So it goes without saying that enjoyment is not underestimated.
Every day, guests have a choice of three different menus. In the residences, the in-house restaurants spoil their inhabitants with four-course menus that change daily, and for the perfect cup of coffee, Tertianum uses coffee machines from Schaerer. “The highest level of product and service quality is our top priority,” explains Remo Dattilo, Category Manager of Maintenance & Repair at Tertianum. “The quality of the food, beverages and, of course, coffee is important to us, because our guests deserve only the best for the last stage of their lives that they spend with us. Outstanding service is essential in all areas. When it comes to coffee machines, a high level of service quality is crucial to ensure a consistently high level of beverage quality and to fix any faults as quickly as possible so that our guests can always enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.”
Delicious coffee from Schaerer for everyone
Two years ago, the purchasing department of the Tertianum Group, which now has its headquarters in Dübendorf near Zurich, was centralised. The plan was to create exclusive, long-term partnerships with suppliers who are also represented throughout Switzerland. This also applied to the coffee machines: Various Schaerer models were already in use in different establishments, but due to acquisitions, machines from other manufacturers were also available. Overall, around 70 percent of the installed machines were Schaerer models and the partnership had been in place for more than ten years. In the future, however, only one brand will be found at Tertianum: Schaerer. Two standard products – with and without a milk system – have been defined for this reason.
The Schaerer Coffee Club was selected for the stations and homes with less demand for coffee, while the Schaerer Coffee Soul will make sure that everyone gets the perfect cup of coffee in public areas and restaurants as well as large homes.
Schaerer is a step ahead with service, handling and coffee quality
“Price should not be the only factor when making these types of investments. A good partnership based on trust and efficient service throughout Switzerland, which is exactly what Schaerer offers, are just as important,” emphasizes Dattilo. Fixed maintenance contracts that fulfil the requirements of the Tertianum Group also ensure regular maintenance of the machines and particularly fast service calls if faults occur. Easy handling of the machines is very important for employees in day-to-day operations. Since the coffee machines are cleaned by the housekeeping team, the restaurant staff or the nursing staff, depending on the location, it is important for everyone that the process is quick and easy. The feedback on cleaning and general handling of the coffee machines has been consistently positive – both from the employees in the different facilities and from the parties responsible for central purchasing.
At the Corporate Service Center in Dübendorf, two new Schaerer Coffee Soul machines are making sure that coffee specialities are prepared quickly at peak times. The Schaerer machines also impress when it comes to self-service by guests: The display as well as the selection of products has been adapted to the needs of the age group, making the coffee machines easy and pleasant to use. Some establishments also have devices available for visitors that are equipped with a payment system using tokens. Dattilo was also impressed by the high degree of customisation options and the resulting level of coffee quality: “The purchasing department of the Tertianum Group has defined one type of bean for espresso and café crème from one supplier as the standard for all homes, which is characterised by low acidity and caffeine. Thanks to the many setting options of the machines and the coffee expertise of the Schaerer employees, it was possible to achieve the optimal aroma and the coffee specialities taste good to guests and visitors as well as the employees.” The design of the coffee machines has also impressed everyone involved.
Next step: Schaerer Coffee Link
The Tertianum Group is currently undergoing major changes when it comes to coffee machines. The focus is on equipping all homes with the latest generation of coffee machines, and the following measures are already planned: Based on the digitalisation strategy of the Tertianum Group, the first tests with the Schaerer Coffee Link digital solution will start in 2025. Initially, coffee consumption will be measured in selected homes and then the machine statuses of the individual locations will be recorded and compared. Digitalisation will also play an increasingly important role at Tertianum in the future. “Our strategy is geared towards the constantly growing need for care, which in turn requires more spaces in care homes. This goes hand in hand with the professionalisation of technical equipment on the one hand and process optimisation with the help of digital approaches on the other,” says Dattilo as he looks towards future trends.