Alterra Coffee Roasters

Alterra Coffee Roasters began its journey in 1993 as a local coffee roastery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by Lincoln Fowler, Ward Fowler, and Paul Miller, the brand was built on a commitment to high-quality, ethically sourced beans and a distinct cafe culture. The brand gained significant attention for its artisanal approach to coffee roasting and its focus on direct-trade relationships with coffee farmers.

In 2010, the brand underwent a significant ownership change when Mars, Incorporated acquired Alterra's commercial brand and its specialized single-serve technology to integrate into their Flavia office brewing systems. While the original founders maintained ownership of the Milwaukee cafes (which were eventually renamed Colectivo Coffee), Mars took the Alterra brand global, making it a staple in professional environments and office kitchens worldwide.

Today, Alterra operates as a key component of the Mars Drinks portfolio (now part of Lavazza Professional since a 2018-2019 transition). The manufacturing and sourcing processes are managed through global supply chains, ensuring the beans are roasted and packaged to meet the rigorous standards of both office brewing systems and consumer retail markets. The brand remains synonymous with the professional coffee experience, backed by the infrastructure of one of the world's largest food and beverage conglomerate networks.