Mocopan An Australian Icon
In 1953, three young Italian immigrants - Agostino Monaci, Sergio Coperchini and Vic Panatieri - arrived in Melbourne. They were among the post-World War 11 influx seeking opportunities in a new land, but the impact they would have on their adopted country would be profound.
They had arrived at the beginning of a love affair that was to transform Melbourne into a cosmopolitan city and one that is highly regarded worldwide as a top destination and as a place to find some of the best coffee.
The year after Agostino, Sergio and Vic landed was an auspicious one. Melbourne’s first espresso bar opened in 1954 - Don Camillos, which to this day is still serving customers in Victoria Street near the iconic Queen Victoria Market.
Mocopan was born that year too, when these three passionate young men instantly saw and created opportunity and bravely turned their attention to the importation and distribution of various smallgoods, spices and of course coffee, to service the emerging consumer demand. But, they took an extremely important step by steering away from the traditional imported roasted beans and bringing in green beans and roasting locally. The freshness of the product and the taste difference was palpable.
The business was purchased by the Dimattina family in 1959 and they took Mocopan to heights that never could have been imagined.
Once the Mocopan business had grown to its potential in the Melbourne cafe market, it began an inter-state expansion. A sales office was established in Queensland in 1988. Mocopan was already selling coffee in Sydney via an agent, but felt it needed to expand more rapidly and acquired Asco Coffee in 1992 which was previously owned by Burns Philp. Asco was supplying fresh coffee to businesses such as McDonalds, Donut King, Muffin Break, and East West Airlines. Asco had a roasting facility in Matraville. Kings Coffee in Western Australia was also acquired in 1995.
The privately owned Mocopan company was sold to Cerebos (Australia) Ltd in December 1995, and a new chapter began in what is sure to continue to be one of the most enduring and iconic coffee brands.
