After years of using a Moccamaster brewer at home, I created a simple steel bracket so I could eliminate the stock plastic brew basket. To get better pricing, I produced 50 units and launched it as a product in early 2026. After sales of the brackets ramped up quickly, I custom designed and sourced more components to create what I have been calling the “Semi-Manual System.” Once all my manufacturing purchase orders were submitted, the Semi Manual System was launched as a pre-order this summer, and sales were quick to flood my inbox. (thank you!)
Custom parts like the cork that holds the dripper and the glass carafes were initially slow to arrive, but have been fairly consistent as I enter 2nd and 3rd reorder cycles. However I have had some pain in managing my supply chain: the metal brackets have experienced shipping damage multiple times, keeping me consistently on my heels throughout the fall. And more recently I have had trouble getting enough of the size 03 Hario drippers, which turn out to be in fairly limited supply in the US.
So far I have shipped hundreds and hundreds of orders for the Semi-Manual System, but unfortunately there are still hundreds of pre-orders still waiting to go out. I am currently awaiting two shipments of around 400 glass drippers—which will get me almost caught up to the current backlog (as of Nov 1). An additional 500 units of drippers and another 1000 brackets should be in stock in early December, which will probably be the last chance to get a Semi-Manual System in 2026.
I sincerely appreciate everyone who has ordered—and patiently waited—so far. Managing a complex multi-product supply chain is not new to me, but one with this much volatility has been a real challenge. I appreciate everyone’s grace as I get this product line scaled up and stabilized!
