Next Steps: To vend, or not to vend 18 05 2007 - 02:06:11 PM

If you've got this far the answer is probably vend.

Here are a few logical steps, together with a list of some companies you can contact below.

1. Get your buying criteria in priority order.
Divide them into 'must have' and 'like to have' consider the following questions as you get your list in order (this has been lifted from UK distributor Kafevend)

• how many people do you want to provide drinks for?
• what kind of drinks do you want to provide?
• do you simply want household favourites like Gold Blend and PG tips?
• or do you want freshground coffee-shop specialities like Latte and Cappuccino too?
• will one central machine be enough or do you need separate ones for separate departments/floors etc?
• how much space do you have available for your vending machine?
• do you want to provide vending machines for snacks and canned drinks too?
• do you have customers visiting your premises who could be given free drinks, eg in reception or your showroom?
• will staff be paying for the drinks or will you offer them free?
• do you want them to pay by card/key or by cash?

2. Long-list the suppliers but make sure it's got the right mix of suppliers for your needs.

If you have to get snacks and sandwiches vending as well as drinks, and you need cans and bottles as well as cold drinks - you need to make sure you go to Operators. These guys don't manufacturer the machines but they will supply and manage them for you.

If on the other hand you just need drinks vending machines make sure you include a 'direct' option as well - Mars Drinks who supply KLIX and Flavia are one of these. The reason for this is that depending on the machine you choose regional or national operators may not be interested in servicing you - and you'll pay a price (either financial or in service terms) for being an 'uneconomic' site.

3. When you get in contact with them make sure you have your 'killer questions' ready... i.e. Customer satisfaction ratings, First Time Fix record, m.t.b.f (mean time between failure) of the machines, the technology behind the façade, drinks range, drinks supply response time that sort of thing.

4. When you have got all the responses evaluate the features against your original 'must have' like to have priority list.

5. Arrange a demo!

Here's a by no means exhaustive list of some of the people you might want to take a look at:

Mars Drinks UK

Mars Drinks are the only manufacturer who will supply and support machines on a 'Direct' basis. Their Flavia and KLIX machines are also available via distributors, operators and catering contractors.

Tel: 0800 055 6029
Fax: 01256 307 333

Flavia: Find out more about the Creation 400
Klix: www.klix.com ; If you are unfamiliar with Klix take their quick tour

KafeVend Group Limited

KafeVend are a reputable good national player supplying coffee vending machines and snack and can machines. They deal a lot in KLIX and FLAVIA and Kenco brands

Phone: 0870 600 8181
E-mail: rbridge@kafevend.org
Kafevend: www.kafevend.co.uk

Nexus Drinks and Vending Machines Systems

National distributor of a variety of vending machines from hot and cold drinks systems to water coolers, orange juicers and Cola vending machines.

Phone: 0870 991 7267
Fax: 0870 991 7320
E-mail: sales@nexusdrinks.com
Nexus Drinks: www.nexusdrinks.com

UK Vending Limited

Very nice people - always heard good things about them and again they represent a good option if you are looking for snack machines water coolers and floor standing drinks vending all from one supplier.

Phone 0845 3309696
Fax: 01634 404055
E-mail: ukvmacenquiry@ukvending.co.uk
UK Vending: www.ukvending.co.uk

There are a lot more people out there who will also be happy to supply you, and that includes the major catering firms (if you are big enough) who can supply every catering need AND vending.