Acme Journey
We make tableware for everyday rituals and the moments that happen around them. Built to last, made to be used, and designed to earn its place at the table for years to come.
Acme was founded from an idea that was formed back when the founders were deep in the day to day of running Caffe L’affare in Wellington. They were importing into Aotearoa what were at the time, considered the best cups in the business. But after leaving the business in 2009 they saw an opportunity to create a cup that fixed those things that they felt were common sense when viewed from our hospitality lens.
Acme creates modern classics that adhere to the design ethos of form and funtion. We design with a less is more approach as we believe that what we have should be working harder. Our extensive backgrounds within Speciality Coffee goes beyond our design process and into how we operate as a company.
Approaching everything with compassion, humour and enjoying what we do is our why.
process
We’re coffee specialists with over 30 years of combined experience, designing for coffee professionals and trusted by barista champions, tea drinkers, and everyone in between.
In 2022 founders Jeff Kennedy and Bridget Dunn approached long time employees, Megan and Paddy with the opportunity to purchase the company. Together they have 30+ years as coffee professionals and are passionate about continuing the work that Jeff and Bridget started while also finding their own voice.
[ Sustainable ]
We believe well-made products that last are better for people and the planet.
Our 2026 Sustainability Strategy outlines the practical steps we're taking over the next three years to reduce our environmental impact, support our people and partners, and strengthen the communities we're part of.
Our focus areas are:
- Climate & Energy
- Circular Design
- Responsible Supply Chain
- Community Wellbeing
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Transparency & Education
We'll set clear targets, share our progress openly, and keep looking for better ways to design, source, and operate.
There's still plenty to learn, but we're committed to doing the work and improving as we go.
[ Elegant ]
We design so that our product isn't the feature; it sits comfortably in the background, elegantly doing the heavy lifting.
With details like a refined lip, we've thought of everything to make your coffee experience seamless, effortlessly bridging the gap between cup and lips.
[ Functional ]
Acme crafts modern classics with a focus on functional design through a hospitality lens.
Kitchen space is hot real estate, so why clutter it with different saucers for every cup? Imagine a large bowl that serves sides at a dinner party and doubles as a salad bowl for one.
Less is more, and everything in our kitchens should work harder.
[ Durable ]
Our products, crafted from durable porcelain, are built to endure the daily hustle of a café while providing a sense of refinement and elegance.
We work closely with our factory team, using their top-secret mix of durable porcelain, firing each piece at high temperatures, and meticulously designing every detail to ensure both strength and style for café and home use.
[ Community ]
We've been proud members of the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association for the past 12 years. Megan, our co-owner, has spent the last 6 years volunteering on the board and is currently in her second term as president. Founder Jeff Kennedy is a lifetime member.
Since 2016, we've been the proud ceramics sponsor of the World Aeropress Championships, a grassroots event that we're passionate about. This event, open to all, aligns with our inclusive values.
We champion those who see their future within hospitality through events with low entry barriers.
Acme has been teaming up with local coffee festivals across Europe and Aotearoa to cut down on single-use waste at their events. We donate products that didn’t quite meet our standards—items that would otherwise end up in the landfill—so they can be used at the festivals year after year. Visitors simply return them at the end of the event, ready to be reused again and again (and again!).
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colours [13]
Acme may be most known as the home of cups, but we are also the home of our palette of iconic colours that adorn Espresso machines and Café tables globally.
