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.
Frits 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.