At Industry Beans Little Collins Street, innovation has never been a fleeting idea, it’s been a defining thread in the fabric of their principles, something they’ve embraced since opening the doors in 2017.
For almost a decade, Industry Beans’ Lt Collins café has been a meeting point for Melburnians, keeping in time with the pulse of the city: office workers in the morning rush, shoppers drifting in from Bourke Street Mall, and coffee lovers who know exactly where to find something special.
Behind the bar, the original Modbar system offered an advanced service workflow, proudly standing as one of the earliest installations within an Industry Beans venue. Perfectly matched to their bright, minimal and refined aesthetic, Modbar quietly helped redefine what a coffee experience could look like by opening up the counter space typically occupied by a traditional espresso machine and placing connection at the forefront.
Now, more than eight years later, that story enters its next chapter.
The upgrade from the original Modbar EP (v1) to the latest Modbar ABR represents more than a machinery refresh, it marks the evolution of a long-standing partnership between Industry Beans, La Marzocco, and Brewtech. Three teams united not only by a commitment to innovation and design-led hospitality, but by an enduring belief in quality, collaboration, and all-encompassing support.
This wasn’t simply an equipment swap. It was a shared effort shaped by years of working side by side, navigating growth, refining workflow, solving technical challenges, and continually raising the standard of coffee in Melbourne. Trust built over time through installation days, service calls, late-night problem solving, and long-term planning conversations.
While La Marzocco brings a legacy of engineering and innovation, Brewtech delivers precision installation and ongoing technical expertise on the ground. Industry Beans brings clarity of vision and an unwavering commitment to the guest experience. Together, these strengths intersect in a way that makes progress feel seamless, even when the work behind the scenes is complex.
As Steve Simmons, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Industry Beans explains, the decision to upgrade was both practical and symbolic: a continuation of belief in a system that has shaped their coffee bars from the beginning. We sat down with Steve to explore how Modbar has helped elevate Industry Beans, and why it remains his first choice, for a second time.
Congratulations on your new Modbar! Can you tell us what prompted the decision to upgrade from the original v1 to v2? And why now?
We have been long time supporters of the Modbar system and the original v1 installed at Lt Collins was the first realisation of the concept in an Industry Beans location. After more than 8 remarkable years, it was time to upgrade to the newer technology and ensure our team have the best kit.
Are there any features in the latest Modbar that your team is particularly excited about?
Moving from the original EP model Modbar to the newer ABR is an exciting improvement for the team at Lt Collins. This aligns us with our other locations and ensures we can deliver our customers the most consistent, high quality coffee day in, day out. We always loved the coffee produced with the original EP model, however the introduction of the ABR supports greater consistency and allows our team to focus on the customer experience.
What is it about the Modbar that supports your style of coffee bar workflow and cafe spaces?
The Modbar, with the minimalist above-counter layout allows our baristas to showcase the coffee and interact with our customers without the typical barrier of a coffee machine getting in the way.
Industry Beans has been working with La Marzocco and Brewtech for some time – what has kept you coming back over the years?
Between La Marzocco and Brewtech we have access to a great range of market-leading espresso machines to make great coffee with, backed up by the best in the business support.
How does the Modbar tie into your vision for quality, consistency, and innovation at Industry Beans? What makes it your top choice for this location?
The Modbar has been integral to the customer experience across Industry Beans’ locations. The minimal benchtop footprint aligns with our overall design aesthetic, which puts the coffee itself at the centre and minimises the barriers between the customer and our baristas.
You’ve been a staple of Little Collins St for almost 10 years now. That’s no small feat. What’s your favourite thing about this part of town?
Our location on Lt Collins St is a great intersection between the bustle of CBD office workers and the destination appeal of the shopping precinct along Burke St mall. It means we have a great mix of customers throughout the 7 days of the week.
At its heart, the new Modbar installation at Little Collins Street isn’t just about technology, it’s about continuity.
It’s about backing a system that has been integral to Industry Beans’ design philosophy from day one, offering baristas tools that enhance consistency while freeing them to focus on what matters most: the customer in front of them.
And it’s about honouring the partnership between Industry Beans, La Marzocco, and Brewtech, a team that’s evolved through years of shared ambition, mutual respect and a genuine love for what we do.
Moving from EP to ABR brings greater precision and alignment across Industry Beans’ locations, ensuring consistency without compromising character. But the heart of the story remains the same: minimal design, maximum connection. With Modbar’s clean, undercounter format, coffee stays centre stage and the barrier between barista and guest disappears, exactly as intended.
Looking ahead to ten years on Little Collins Street, Industry Beans continues to evolve while staying true to its vision of quality, innovation, and experience-led hospitality. Standing loyally alongside trusted partners who understand their standards and support their growth, this latest upgrade signals not just progress, but momentum.
Momentum built on shared belief. Momentum strengthened by trust. Momentum that points toward a brighter future for specialty coffee in Melbourne and beyond.
La Marzocco is incredibly proud to step into this next chapter with Industry Beans, it’s an honour to play our part in future innovations they will no doubt continue to shape.
Industry Beans 345 Little Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000 @industrybeans
