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        The Fresh Eyes behind Slayer                    Chris Flechtner

            The design of Slayer espresso machines wows both baris-  With an academic background
        tas and consumers. It’s the ability the brand has to react quick-  in graphic design, jewelry-mak-
                                                        ing, and metalsmithing,
        ly in response to the market demands in high-quality espresso   Flechtner earned an MFA from
        extraction, as well as the courage to take on the challenge in   renowned Cranbrook Academy
        producing something that is truly artwork itself. “Slayer Espres-  of Art where he studied
        so was created because people in the industry were reluctant   furniture design. He has been
        to take the risks necessary to see big changes,” shared Flecht-  the Industrial Designer for
                                                        Slayer since 2007, and now has
        ner. “It’s our hope that we can inspire our fellow coffee friends   an independent design office in
        to continue pushing the limits of what we already are comfort-  Kyoto, Japan.
        able with in all of our processes associated with coffee — we
        want to be the catalyst for change.”
            During the innovation and change, Flechtner also en-
        countered challenges. “As an industrial designer, the distinction   A hand-made touch of uniqueness and a combination of
        lies not in aesthetics, but process,” he said. When a ceramic   aesthetics and functionality make Slayer a big name in the
        artist designs as they go, it can turn out to be something that   coffee world. All of its cafe owners love taking shots with their
        is one of a kind, but not easily duplicated. Industrial design is   beautiful  espresso  machines.  The  pale pink Slayer at Host
        another story. The challenge that Flechtner faces is creating   Milano 2019 was the apple of people’s eye. “Each piece made
        designs that are practical and replicable, “built with consisten-  with these materials displays eccentricities that make it truly
        cy for each of the hundreds — and thousands — of machines   unique. In the case of wood, time only adds to its beauty, as
        that we would produce by hand.” He said: “Industrial design   the handles show subtle wear,” shared Flechtner. Also at Host,
        has the unique goal of mass production.”
                                                        the Steam Wand X  preview cheered many baristas and cafe
                                                                     [1]
                                                        owners. “This stand-alone steam wand offers the cafe owner/
                                                        barista the ability to increase their milk or alternative steaming
                                                        capacity without adding an additional full size machine,” ex-
                                                        plained Flechtner.
                                                            ‘Design’ at Slayer means a machine needs to be both a
                                                        practical tool and an elegant centerpiece, according to Flecht-
                                                        ner. Having him on-board since 2007 has turned Prefontaine’s
                                                        vision into a reality.
                                                        Improve as I Create


                                                            Now, Flechtner runs an independent design office in
                                                        Kyoto as he designs espresso equipment exclusively for Slayer
                                                        and Gruppo Cimbali . The passion for design and constant
                                                                       [2]
                                                        quest to improve what he has created means he is always fo-
                                                        cused on what’s coming next. “I think my favorite model of
                                                        Slayer is the one in my head that I have not yet designed.”
                                                                                                                                                                                         [1] The Steam Wand X is in the final
                                                            With appreciation for antique hand tools used for hand-                                                                      phase of development, it is not yet for
                                                        brewed coffee and tea, Flechtner is happy to be embraced by                                                                      purchase but is ready for volume
                                                        the rich cultural history and eye-opening rituals, beautiful yet                                                                 stress testing and customer facing
                                                        inspiring, in Japan. “Even our six-year-old son is learning the                                                                  engagements that help the brand
                                                                                                                                                                                         gather consumer opinions.
                                                        tea ceremony in school now,” he said.                                 Photo / Slayer Espresso
                                                                                                                                                                                         [2] Gruppo Cimbali and Slayer joined
                                                            Although surrounded by great coffee and espresso bars                                                                        hands in partnership in 2017, which also
                                                        in Kyoto, he confessed: “I am not as much of a coffee snob as                                                                    assists Slayer in streamlining its
                                                        I probably should be.” Instead, he enjoys making coffee with                                                                     manufacturing process through
                                                        his Bialetti Moka Pot at home and in the office, as well as “a                                                                   consultation and lean production
                                                                                                                                                                                         implementation, enhance its engineering
                                                        local Japanese brand of coffee from an old-time producer”.
                                                                                                                                                                                         expertise and provide access to build a
                                                            Next time, you walk past a coffee shop and spot a Slayer,                                                                    large, high-quality team to truly achieve
                                                        you may stop to take a closer look at the machine.                                                                               all of Slayer’s goals.

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