In 1981, Sergio Zappella and Arthur Schmed, a Swiss engineer created Saeco with its offices located in Gaggio Montano, a small Apennine town in the province of Bologna, Italy. Immediately seeing huge potential in the coffee market, the partners devoted considerable time and resources to perfecting technology.

In 1985, they successfully manufactured the first fullyautomatic espresso coffee machine. Now, Saeco is the leading producer of espresso coffee machines for home use in both the Italian and European markets. With recent changes in culture and lifestyle, the consumption of espresso coffee has increased in countries worldwide; opening up new markets for manufacturers of espresso coffee machines.

Factoid: Saeco is also the name of an Italian road bicycle racing team, sponsored by the company with the same name.