Profile: Multi Vend Solutions
Three is a magic
number
A West Yorkshire machine refurbishment specialist is defying the downturn to celebrate
its third anniversary. Nick Clancy spoke with director of Multi Vend Solutions, Geoff
Spark on the eve of its third anniversary, about lessons from the past, the present
economic squeeze and the bright future ahead.
Halifax-based Multi Vend Solutions provides refurbishment across a wide range of restore a machine back to pristine condition
a wide range of support services to vending equipment plus one-off special projects, for a fraction of the cost.”
and foodservice companies across the UK. including equipment assessments and machine Geoff admits that although some customers
It was set up in 2006 by Geoff Spark and trials all carried out in a fully fitted workshop have reduced the number of machines for
his partners, Harinder Panesar and Mark with re-spray facilities. refurbishment, the vast majority have increased
Beeden, who, with over 35 combined years of It is, says Geoff, his company’s bespoke the quantities with some even preparing small
experience in the sector had just been made approach to working practice that has allowed stocks of refurbished machines so they can
redundant from their respective positions with the unique creation of a designated expert for quickly respond should a new site be acquired.
Nestlé. each machine type. In three short years the Multi Vend Solutions’
He said, “We have created a ‘champion’ workforce has grown from three to nine
of each machine, someone from our team dedicated employees and the company now has
‘‘
We have created a
of technicians who has an innate knowledge a national reach that belies its modest number.
‘champion’ of each
of the workings of a unit. Each guy has a Geoff cites a customer network stretching
workspace, and although we encourage a from England’s South Coast up to Scotland
machine, someone team ethic, we take pride that we can call and predicts that things can only get bigger and
from our team of
upon the expertise of one of our fully trained better.
champions.” “In three years we have built up the facilities
technicians who has
Recently, as the recession continues to hit and skills to ensure a flexible approach where
an innate knowledge
harder, Geoff says he is finding that refurbished we can give the customer what the customer
of the workings of
machines are becoming an even more wants. We’ve had a fantastic three years and
attractive proposition to customers as, in his most importantly a busy three years,” Geoff
a unit. Each guy has view, they simply offer good value for money. concluded.
a workspace, and
He said, “Recession is starting to bite, and So Multi Vend Solutions looks to the future
I can definitely feel a change. At this point, with optimism, AV wishes the company many
although we encourage
people haven’t got much money and are happy returns with the hope of many more
a team ethic, we take
asking, ‘why should I buy new equipment?’ prosperous years in the industry.
pride that we can call
“Now is the time for refurbished machines, 01422 340070
why would you buy a new unit when you can www.multivendsolutions.co.uk
upon the expertise of
one of our fully trained
champions.
,,
The trio was not complacent, however, and
conspired to use their wealth of experience in
the vending sector to create a new business
that could provide customers with a bespoke
service. It was a mantra that proved to be
key to the success of the venture, with hardly
any two customers wanting the same service.
“We really do offer as much, or as little, as the
customer wants, be it a valet clean down to a
full strip, re-spray and refurb,” said Geoff.
Within its portfolio, Multi Vend Solutions
says it is able to provide vending machine
The Multi Vend team (from left) Geoff Spark, Harinder Panesar and Mark Beeden
storage, pre delivery inspection and machine
28 April 2009 www.auto-vending.co.uk
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44