Behind the Scenes - Meet Leonardo and Thamires
Every day at Beyers Koffie, coffee moves swiftly from production to packaging. On the packing floor, high-speed lines prepare coffee for customers around the world, from private-label brands to retail shelves. Keeping these lines running smoothly requires focus, teamwork and fast problem-solving to ensure every pack meets strict coffee quality and packaging standards.
For Leonardo Alves Israel and Thamires Araujo, this work is also part of a shared journey in coffee. Originally from Brazil, the married couple moved to Belgium two years ago and today both work as packing operators at Beyers, contributing to the final steps that bring Beyers coffee from production to customers.
We sat down with them to talk about their path to Beyers, what it means to build a life in a new country and what it’s like to work side by side, on the factory floor and beyond.
1. Let’s start with the basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and the journey that brought you both from Brazil to Belgium and to Beyers?
Leonardo & Thamires: We’re Leonardo and Thamires, aged 34 and 29, from the countryside near São Paulo in Brazil.
Leonardo: Coffee has always been part of my life. My father runs a company that provides services to coffee producers, mainly in post-harvest processes such as pulping. I started working with him at 17 and the business has been running for 26 years.
Thamires: For me, it started differently. As a child, I spent time with my grandfather, who had a small farm where he grew and sold coffee locally. At the time, I never imagined coffee would return to my life or play such a big role. I later worked in retail in my hometown before reconnecting with coffee years later.
Leonardo: We met in 2022, and that’s when things came together. We decided to restart an artisanal coffee project that my family had put on hold. We began producing and selling coffee locally. It was something we built together.
In 2023, I obtained my Italian citizenship, which I had been working towards for years. Living in Europe had always been the goal, so we decided to move.
Thamires: Leonardo came to Belgium first and worked in construction. One day, while working nearby, he smelled coffee and spotted Beyers. It felt familiar. So, he sent in his CV, and soon afterwards, he got the opportunity to join the company.
From his very first day, he noticed the family-like environment. That’s when he asked if there might also be an opportunity for me. And that’s how our story at Beyers began.
2. Leaving your home country and starting over in a new place is a big step. What gave you the confidence to take that leap?
Leonardo & Thamires: Leaving Brazil wasn’t an easy decision. It’s a beautiful country with so much to offer.
At the same time, we had always dreamed of living in Europe. The quality of life and the opportunities here really attracted us. Even simple things, like experiencing the four seasons, felt exciting and completely new for us.
We’ve also always been curious about the world: traveling, discovering new cultures and seeing different ways of living was something we both wanted. Being here brings us much closer to that.
In the end, it was about pursuing a more balanced life with possibilities, both personally and professionally. And we feel like we’ve found that here.
3. Today, you both work as packing operators, helping keep the production lines running smoothly. What does a typical shift look like for you?
Leonardo: For me, going to work feels a bit like going to work with my father. It has that same family feeling. I genuinely enjoy what I do. I don’t go to work just for the money. Every morning, I start the day with the same energy, like it’s my first day and that keeps me motivated.
Sometimes, when I’m in a supermarket or a restaurant, I think about the products we make and imagine that people might be drinking coffee I helped produce. That’s a great feeling. And honestly, the team – coworkers and supervisors – have been amazing.
Thamires: No two days are the same. Some shifts are calm, others are more intense, with changes and a few challenges along the way. And actually, I enjoy that. Solving problems keeps me active and helps me learn new things. It can be tiring, but that’s part of it.
What really makes a difference is the team. We support each other, share ideas and figure things out together. And that makes the work much more enjoyable every day.
4. Production lines don’t always run perfectly. When an issue arises (an alarm, a rebuild, a quality issue…), how do you approach solving it?
Leonardo & Thamires: When something comes up, we always start by following the procedures in place. From there, it’s about really understanding the situation: where the issue started and whether it’s within our area or linked to another team.
Taking a moment to look at it calmly makes a big difference. It helps avoid mistakes and find the right solution, not just a quick fix.
And of course, we don’t do it alone. We work closely with the team to solve things safely and efficiently.
5. You’re not only colleagues but also a married couple. What is it like sharing both the factory floor and life outside of work?
Leonardo & Thamires: That’s a great question (both laugh). We know it’s a bit unique. Since the beginning of our relationship, people have always asked us how it works and many said things might change over time, especially because we’ve always done so much together.
We had worked together in Brazil before, but we never imagined we’d be doing it again! And definitely not on the other side of the world!
At the factory, we’re colleagues like everyone else. We keep things professional and treat each other with the same respect as the team. No special treatment. Outside of work, it becomes more “us” again. That’s when we talk about our days, share our thoughts… and sometimes compare perspectives (both laugh).
6. What is the best part about working at Beyers? And what are your ambitions for the future?
Leonardo & Thamires: As we mentioned before, even though Beyers is a large company, it truly feels like a family to us. You notice it every day in the care people show, the attention to wellbeing and the fact that our opinions genuinely matter. It’s a very values-driven company and you feel that in the way people respect each other, take responsibility and support one another.
Working here has only strengthened our passion for coffee and for what we do. Looking ahead, we want to keep growing, both professionally and personally, continue learning and build a stable life here while staying connected to what we enjoy most.