Intermountain Healthcare Supports Local Business by Contracting with Park City Coffee Roaster to Provide Coffee at All 23 Hospitals

What originally started as an idea to provide great local coffee and a ski resort vibe at Intermountain Park City Hospital, led to a Utah company – Park City Coffee Roaster (PCCR) being selected to provide locally-roasted coffee at all of Intermountain Healthcare’s 23 hospitals.

PCCR received rave reviews for the coffee and espresso bar at Park City Hospital at a time when Intermountain was seeking a single supplier for ready-to-drink coffee.  PCCR and other national suppliers were invited to submit proposals.

“During the bid process PCCR stood out with their competitive price and commitment to provide quality equipment and service, including barista training,” says Eric Wilkinson, Intermountain Healthcare’s Operations and Facilities Director for Nutrition Services.

“As far as taste went, PCCR was the choice, hands down,” says Liz Blike, dietitian at Intermountain Park City Hospital.

PCCR won the contract. A key factor, according to Wilkinson, was PCCR’s attention to sustainable initiatives, a focal point for Intermountain.

“By selecting a local supplier, a positive economic ripple effect has formed,” says Lisa Nichols, Executive Director of Community Health for Intermountain Healthcare.

PCCR co-owner Rob Hibl says, “I think Intermountain has an affinity to select the local vendor and local feel. They try to keep the money, momentum, and foundation inside of Utah. It’s been an amazing road we’ve been on with Intermountain.”

Because PCCR is a small local company, they had to hire more employees to meet the growing demand for their coffee. They also needed a loan for new equipment. PCCR was able to secure financing from a bank, based on the Intermountain contract.

“Within six months they were able to provide coffee to all Intermountain hospitals in Utah and Idaho. The transition has been very smooth,” adds Wilkinson.

Rob Hibl says, “We’re proud of the quality of the three USDA-certified organic coffee blend selections we offer for Intermountain patients, guests, and caregivers. All our coffee is fair trade certified, which guarantees a living wage to farmers and pickers.” The company also reuses their vacuum seal coffee bags and strives to have minimal impact on Utah’s environment.

PCCR owners Ray and Rob Hibl, who are twin brothers, credit the quality difference of their coffee to a small, 25-pound batch roasting process, and the quick delivery of their coffee, which is usually delivered within 24-72 hours after roasting.

“We drum roast our coffee at a higher elevation, which allows us to roast at a lower temperature for a shorter period of time, so we yield a better-quality coffee bean. This allows all our coffee varieties to exhibit their very best attributes: aroma, flavor, body, balance, sweetness, acidity, uniformity and clean cup,” says Rob Hibl.

Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 23 hospitals, 170 clinics, a Medical Group with some 1,500 employed physicians, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible®, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and in efficient healthcare delivery.