Kicking Horse Coffee is one of Canada’s leading wholebean and fairtrade coffee roasters | Photo credit: Kicking Horse Coffee

Lavazza Group has announced Cédric Malaga as the new CEO of Canadian specialty coffee roaster Kicking Horse Coffee. 
 

The Italian coffee roaster acquired an 80% stake in Invermere-based Kicking Horse Coffee in May 2017, with Founder and then-CEO Elana Rosenfeld retaining a 20% share. 

Rosenfeld stepped down from her role and retired from running the business in May 2023. 

Malaga has worked at Lavazza since July 2021, serving as Global Revenue Growth Director. He previously worked for Lavazza-owned French coffee brand Carte Noire for five years, including as Benelux Country Sales Manager between 2018-2021. 

At the time of acquisition, Lavazza labelled Kicking Horse Coffee one of the ‘local jewels’ it was seeking to acquire as part of its ‘premium positioning strategy’. 

“Since joining Lavazza Group in 2017, Kicking Horse Coffee stood out as our most courageous and unconventional brand, leading the organic coffee market in North America with its unique identity. Cédric has more than 20 years of experience, passion and expertise in the world of coffee. He’s well poised to help Kicking Horse Coffee tackle new challenges as the brand continues its growth agenda,” said Mauro Mantovani, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Lavazza Group. 

Founded in 1996, Kicking Horse Coffee is one of Canada’s leading coffee roasters, distributing to cafés across North American, grocery stores and via direct-to-consumers via its online store. The business is set to open its first café in Invermere, British Columbia, in 2023.