Automatic Merchandiser

Apriva Announces Rate Incentives

Apriva, a provider of end-to-end wireless transactions and secure information solutions, announced that, in conjunction with its distribution partners, it is providing rate incentives...

Best Practices for a Delivery Sales Rep

Listen to complaints. No one wants to hear they have done a bad job. But in a service business, the service provider must hear from customers when they are dissatisfied. That is one of the responsibilities of a delivery professional. Welcome input, even if it is in the form of a complaint. It will allow problems to be corrected and avoided in the future. Remember, if a sales rep doesn't hear the complaint, their supervisor will or, worse yet, the competitor will.

Coffee's Hot Health Facts

Myths and old research about coffee leaves consumers with concerns about how it's affecting their bodies. It's thought to raise blood pressure, cause dehydration, increase the risks for heart disease, and cause cancer. Some of these negative health consequences come from an unusually high intake of coffee or caffeine.

Creative Marketing Drives Illinois Vendor's Sales

"It's something vending operators are probably providing, but they need to market it," said Walsh. Hometown/Tri-City Vending's exclusive healthy program is called "Good 4 You" and is indicated with a special cling on the snack machine explaining the program and a heart-shaped seal next to the item's price.

Danone to Buy Yocream

Danone, the world's biggest yogurt maker, agreed to buy YoCream International...

General Mills to Buy Yogurt Maker

General Mills Inc. will purchase the Mountain High Yoghurt business...

Health Care Reform: Five Steps Vending Operators Can Take

If a health plan is "grandfathered," then the new law doesn't impact it President [Obama] regularly said that "if you like your health plan, you can keep it." He is correct. However, if your grandfathered health plan has made any "significant changes" such as cost increases to deductibles or co-payment, your plan may have lost its grandfathered status. If this has happened, then the above new regulations, penalties and changes will start to apply.

Hershey Sues Mars Over Packaging

The Hershey Co. sued Mars Inc. in federal district...

Investor Group Agrees to Buy Del Monte Foods

An investor group led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. agreed to buy...

Kraft, Starbucks Argue Over Distribution Pact

Kraft Foods Inc. recently sought a preliminary injunction against Starbucks Coffee Co., claiming the coffee company violated terms of a...

Marlowe's Buys Ohio Ocs Operation

Marlowe's Coffee Services, Youngstown, Ohio, purchased...

New Zealand Ends Vtl Investigation

The Serious Fraud Office in New Zealand announced that it had closed its investigation into Vending Technologies Ltd.

News at Press Time

* Lance, Inc. and [Snyder]'s of Hanover, Inc. announced they have signed a definitive agreement to combine in a stock-for-stock merger of equals that will create a combined company to be called Snyder's-Lance, Inc. In addition to leading iconic brands including Lance®, Snyder's of Hanover®, Cape Cod® and Grande®. Snyder's-Lance will have a national distribution footprint, including one of the largest direct store delivery networks in the U.S.

Obama Signs $4.5 Billion Child Nutrition Bill

The National Automatic Merchandising Association supports the measure, noted Ned Monroe, senior vice president of government affairs. "This will be valuable for vending operators and product manufacturers who can then plan for and expect one national standard rather than a patchwork of state and local nutritional guidelines," Monroe said. "It's also very good news in that the bill does not ban vending machines...

People in the News

G&J Marketing and Sales, the Palm Harbor, FIa. -based vend product brokerage, hired vending veterans Daryl Thomas from Pierre Foods Inc., Marty Mirt from PepsiCo Inc., and James Barber from Classic Food Service as part of a national vend product brokerage.

Pepsico Invests in Coconut Water Firm

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Performance Food Group Buys Ledyard

Performance Food Group, which owns Vistar Corp., has acquired Ledyard Co., a broad I i ne foodservice distribution company in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Senate Passes Coin Modernization Act

The U.S. Senate recently voted to pass H.R. 6162, a measure to allow research authority for alternative coinage materials, a bill supported by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA). The legislation allows the Secretary of the Treasury to research and develop alternative coinage material.

The Driver's Role Changes, but Remains Critical

Editor From the days when vending machines first appeared in cafeterias, the route driver has played a key role in the success of the vending company The driver established the relationship with the customer and represented the service provider to the account. It was the driver who made sure the customers got what they wanted, made change, provided refunds, and kept the machines clean, filled and working.

To Your Health: Coffee

Coffee isn't generally considered a diet drink, but it has few calories. A typical 6-ounce cup has only seven calories. And the caffeine increases metabolism, helping burn more calories. Just beware of additives like cream, flavorings and sweeteners. Find out how many calories you're adding to your coffee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Foodapedia Website, www.myfoodapedia.gov.

Vending Reinvented

Editor All Star Services Inc., Port Huron, Mich., agrees with this assessment, and plans to find someone to focus more on "mining" the data, said Jeff Smith, president "It (wireless pre-kitting) has affected our entire system," said Smith, whose operation uses Cantaloupe's Seed and is also using Lightspeed's automated "pick to light" picking in the warehouse. Smith said he is seeking someone with a background in operations software.