At the heart of Simalem Specialty Coffee is Eddy Tanoto, the visionary Managing Director whose leadership and passion have been instrumental in shaping the identity and growth of the brand. As the youngest son of the late Mr. Tamin Sukardi—founder of Taman Simalem Resort—Eddy carries forward his father’s legacy with a clear mission: to elevate the local coffee industry through quality, innovation, and sustainability.
Together with Johan Kwe, Eddy co-founded Simalem Specialty Coffee with a bold vision to transform coffee from the highlands of North Sumatra into a world-class product. From laying the groundwork for post-harvest infrastructure to establishing the Simalem Coffee Academy, Eddy has played an integral role in every stage of development. His strategic leadership continues to open new pathways for farmer empowerment, transparent sourcing, and market access on both national and international levels.
Eddy’s entrepreneurial spirit and long-term commitment have positioned Simalem Specialty Coffee as a key player in Indonesia’s specialty coffee movement—built on a foundation of quality, traceability, and education.
Johan Kwe is one of Southeast Asia’s leading specialty coffee educators and a global authority in post-harvest processing. He is the only CQI Q Processing Level 3 Expert Instructor in Asia and a rare “Full Q” professional, holding all five CQI certifications: Q Arabica Grader Instructor, Q Robusta Grader, Q Processing Professional Instructor (Arabica & Robusta), and Q Processing Expert Instructor.
Working alongside Eddy from the very beginning, Johan Kwe has been the architect behind Simalem’s quality philosophy. As Director of Quality Control, Johan brings deep technical expertise in coffee processing and evaluation, and has been instrumental in building systems that uphold the highest standards across the value chain.
Johan led the development of key post-harvest innovations and quality control protocols that now define Simalem Specialty Coffee’s processing excellence. Under his supervision, essential infrastructure such as fermentation facilities, drying stations, and sensory labs were established—laying the groundwork for both quality production and hands-on education through the Simalem Coffee Academy.
More his leadership has shaped the next generation of coffee professionals, including Quality Control Manager-Royana, Mill Senior Supervisior-Marlon, and Mill Supervisior-Gresana. With his sharp eye for detail and unwavering commitment to quality, Johan ensures that every cup of Simalem coffee reflects the richness of the land and the discipline behind its production.
As Director of Estate Development at Simalem Specialty Coffee, Frits Silalahi plays a strategic and foundational role inshaping the long-term growth and sustainability of our coffee estate. With his deep-rooted expertise as an agronomist and decades of field experience, Frits leads the planning and execution of cultivation systems that form the backbone of our specialty coffee production.
Firts oversees the entire estate landscape-from soil health and land utilization to planting strategies and ecological management. Working closely with our Estate Manager and field teams, he ensures that every plot is optimized for both productivity and sustainability. His leadership is central in maintaining the organic integrity of our cultivation, integrating traditional knowledge with modern agricultural science. Frits' vision is long-term and impact-driven-he is not only growing coffee but nurturing a living ecosystem that will serve generations to come. His strategic foresight, technical acumen, and deep respect for the land make him a cornerstone of our mission to produce world-class coffee with integrity and environmental stewardship.
A direct protege of Johan Kwe and one of the youngest Q Graders in the region, Royana represents the emerging generation of Indonesian coffee professionals. With a degree in agriculture and a growing reputation for precision and dedication, she has become a key pillar in Simalem’s quality assurance team.
Royana began her career at Simalem in 2019, working closely with Johan to master the principles of coffee processing and evaluation. Her efforts culminated in 2023 when she earned her Q Arabica Grader, Q Robusta Grader certification, a testament to her skill and her commitment to excellence.
As Quality Control Manager, Royana leads cupping sessions, monitors post-harvest processing stages, and collaborates with the production team to ensure consistency and quality in every lot. Her technical ability, combined with her deep understanding of sensory analysis, makes her a guardian of quality at Simalem Specialty Coffee—ensuring that every bean lives up to its potential, and every cup delivers a memorable experience.
At 68 years old, Ruchyat serves as the Estate Manager at Simalem Specialty Coffee, bringing over 40 years of experience in estate management and 16 years of dedicated organic cultivation to our team. As one of the most seasoned members of our organization, he plays a crucial role in the pre-harvest phase, ensuring the health and vitality of our coffee plants from the ground up.
Ruchyat leads the cultivation of our coffee with a deep commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. His expertise lies in the application of organic farming methods that enrich the soil, protect biodiversity, and promote long-term agricultural resilience. Under his guidance, every plant is cared for with precision and respect for nature—laying a strong foundation for the quality that defines Simalem Specialty Coffee. Beyond his technical skill, Ruchyat brings wisdom, patience, and a deep-rooted connection to the land. His leadership ensures that our farm remains not only productive but also aligned with our values of sustainability and stewardship. The fruits of his labor are present in every harvest and, ultimately, in every cup—making his contribution an essential part of the story behind our coffee.
As Senior Mill Supervisior at Simalem Specialty Coffee, Marlon plays a vital role in maintaining the consistency and quality of our post-harvest operations. He joined the team in 2020 and has since grown under the direct mentorship of Director of Quality Control, Johan Kwe-developing hands-on expertise in the intricate art of specialty coffee processing.
In his role, Marlon is responsible for overseeing the entire post-harvest workflow, from cherry intake and fermentation to drying and storage. Working closely with our Quality Conrol Manager-Royana, Mill Supervisior-Gresa, he ensures that each stage of Processing aligns with the rigorous standards set by the QC team. His attention to detail and strong operational knowledge help uphold the integrity of every batch that passes through the mill.
Marlon's work may take place behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center in every cup of Simalem Specialty Coffee. His dedication to process precision, cleanliness, and timing plays a key role in preserving flavor, character, and quality-making him an indispensable member of our production team.
Gresana joined Simalem Specialty Coffee in 2024 and quickly became an integral part of our post-harvest operations team. As Mill Supervisor, she plays a critical role in ensuring that the journey of our coffee-from processed bean to packaged product-is handled with precision, care, and consistency.
Her responsibilities span the entire post-processing phase, including the meticulous sorting of green beans, stock opname (inventory control), packaging, storage management, and the coordination of coffee distribution. Gresana ensures thet every lot is traceable, accurately documented, and meets the quality benchmarks established by the QC team.
With her structured approach and strong attention to detail, Gresana bridges the work of our quality control and logistics teams.
With her structured approach and strong attention to detail, Gresana bridges the work of our quality control and logistics teams. She works closely with our Mill Senior Supervisor, Quality Control Manager, and warehouse staff to maintain the smooth flow of production while minimizing losses and optimizing efficiency.
Though she operates behind the scenes, Gresana's contribution is visible in the final product-clean, well-sorted, and consistently packaged green coffee that is ready to meet both local and international market demands. Her role is crucial in upholding Simalem Specialty Coffee's reputation for quality, reliability, and professionalism in every shipment.