Vendex ReView Innovation aplenty at Vendex


Vendex exhibitors, visitors and industry friends finally had an opportunity to network in person again and showcase innovations when the show took place at the Centenary Pavilion, Leeds on November 10


Nicola Hill, managing director of East


Midlands Vending reiterated viewpoints about employee benefits, commenting that the company had received many enquiries from people wanting to improve the quality of the coffee they are offering to staff.


Newcomer 1Account was eager to show M


ore than 100 exhibitors participated showcasing new products and marketing


campaigns to a record number of visitors. Everyone exhibiting, including names like Westomatic, Mondelez, VMC, SB Software and Mr Lee’s were eager to reconnect at the event where operators traditionally come to seek out new products, systems and technology.


Westomatic has been focusing on innovations aimed at the environment and sustainability with new launched featured refill systems, eliminating single use plastic, saving operators energy and helping to reduce carbon footprint. Managing director Richard Brinsley


pointed out that there is a big opportunity for smaller footprint, very high quality vending/bean to cup machines to help employers retain employees in a competitive recruitment market. He added that providing free, high quality, high street style drinks is now a key retention strategy. Ralph Francis, sales director at Lavazza,


also noted this trend, saying that smaller refreshment stations, dispensing high quality drinks using recyclable, fresh packs and giving people more choice is really driving the market.


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operators how its new age verification technology can open up revenue streams and sites for their businesses. Spokesperson person Ben Keirly said enabling consumers to purchase age verified products via a vending setting could be a real game changer. SB Software managing director Simon


Black said: "What we enjoyed most was looking ahead, to an ever better future, with innovations such as: • photo functionality, now stored/accessed from within our management system • our warehouse app, mapping stock onto your mobile device to improve picking • telemetry integration, with single walk and visit on demand growing ever more popular because they save time and money, while increasing customer service. "We were struck by the advances in


micromarkets (or unattended retail) and OCS. Over the duration of the virus so far, it’s clear that there has been a step change on these fronts in both demand and what is available. We are looking forward to meeting (then exceeding) market requirements on both fronts." Jill Bode, operations manager at VMC


commented: “The focus was very much on ways to move forward coming out of the pandemic and as a result contactless payments and non-touch selection on machines were the main topics of discussion.”


“It was a great opportunity to engage with


the vending community in person on the potential new innovations of the future. We’re keen to show operators that now they have contactless in place, there are additional opportunities to increase revenue by incentivising spend with loyalty and promotions supported by our VMC Flex system.” Jo Roffey, head of vending at Mondelēz International said: “Our new vending blend of Cadbury Hot Chocolate has been a real hit – we’ve had fantastic feedback from customers on this market-leading brand. The fact that all of the cocoa is sustainably- sourced has also become increasingly important, but of course the biggest win for vendors, customers and consumers alike is the delicious chocolatey taste.” Martin Verspeak, the COO at Mr Lee’s


Pure Foods Kiosk Technologies commented: “For the past few years we have been working really hard to develop and trial the Mr Lee’s Noodle Bar, and launching and presenting our noodles machine at Vendex North was a great way to show what we are doing.” He added: “Not only were we able to showcase our Kiosks’ high-tech features, immersive experiences and cashless payment systems, but we also got the opportunity to speak to an array of professionals from the vending industry as well as business owners and retail and catering providers about the relevance of serving hot healthy food 24/7.” Show director Phil Reynolds said: “It’s


great to see crowded isles and catch the buzz of eager conversations. I’m astounded, but not surprised, at the innovation the industry has been working on over the past two years.”


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