Coffee firm taking off.

A 60-YEAR-OLD specialist Italian coffee firm is flying high.

Not only is it defying the recession by recruiting more staff, it has even bought a plane to spread its message further afield.

Caff Gabriele, which imports Italian coffee, espresso coffee machines and bespoke bar fittings, says its Sukhoi Su29 aerobatic aircraft will be used at air shows and corporate displays.

Paul Gabriele runs the business - which his father founded in 1948 - with Tullio Petrucci, and is a former commercial pilot.

He said: "It's very unusual. Obviously, there are other companies that have done it, the best example is Red Bull sponsoring the air races."

The company, which brings Caff Bristot premium coffee and equipment made by coffee machine manufacturer Wega into the UK, is continuing to expand.

"Potentially, we will be getting into the London area, then looking at Scotland.

We'll be doing some air shows in Scotland next year," added Mr Gabriele The business, which employs four people, is also currently recruiting a couple of extra staff to the team.

CAPTION(S):

RUNWAY SUCCESS Paul Gabriele of Caffe Gabriele with the company's new promotional plane.