SIEMENS


Flexible financing for today’s office dining and social hubs


Kathryn Vassilissin, Vendor Finance, Siemens Financial Services UK


K


athryn Vassilissin, Siemens Financial Services (SFS), explores how businesses can take advantage of


new opportunities in the growing vending industry with tailored financing solutions. The global vending industry provides


great examples of companies that rise to challenges creatively and have an ‘anything is possible’ mindset. Germany has the largest


European market by revenue , and one can stock up on sausages and other groceries at any time of day or night – especially helpful in remote areas where shops are less accessible or close early. The pandemic inspired food businesses to further rethink the vending machine. In France, for instance, one enterprising bakery installed a town vending machine during the pandemic to ensure residents could still enjoy traditional, fresh baguettes. Similarly, in the workplace, remote and hybrid working have


precipitated innovation in the vending sector and created new opportunities. Catering service providers must now develop solutions for feeding office workers whose location and schedule are no longer as reliable as they used to be. Good quality meals and refreshments remain essential for those in the office, especially in secluded areas with limited options for eating out. Early in the pandemic, the vending machine quickly became an obvious solution for minimising contact with others, with some companies creating a touchless experience. But it is also a convenient solution for offices with variable or atypical footfall, especially if vending providers take advantage of digital tools to capture staff usage and preferences. This new approach is reflected in the estimated tally of UK micro-markets, which now stands at 480, five times more than just five years ago . The SFS offices in Stoke Poges are one example of an office ‘hub’ with unmanned provision of food and beverages.


10 | vendinginternational-online.com


HOT FOOD, SHARPISH New catering models need not look the same everywhere. A hybrid solution may work best for some, with main courses served in a manned canteen and non-perishable, longer-lasting items or puddings provided in a vending machine. Of course, hot food vending machines are also a possibility. In future, workers could enjoy hot boxed lunches from vending machines too. One Hong- Kong start-up is capitalising on the popularity of bento with a vending machine option that delivers a hot bento box in just 17 seconds. Smart vending introduces yet more options, with usage data


and digital tools helping to predict usage and prevent waste. As one smart vending solutions provider notes, “an office can include vending machines on each floor with different products based on data and consumer behaviour” . Vending in all its forms is becoming increasingly personalised for the type of environment and its occupants.


FLEXIBLE FINANCING FOR THE FUTURE OF VENDING Steady expected growth in the vending sector makes it worthwhile to explore these existing and emerging opportunities. According to a 2022 census (published 2023) conducted by The Vending & Automated Retail Association, the vending industry generated a total turnover of £3.01 billion ($3.85 billion), marking a significant increase of 15.7% compared to the previous year – a strong result given the economic climate and disruption in the sector. However, modern vending services come with a capital cost, whether for upgrading equipment or investing in new machines. This can clearly present a disincentive to invest, for operators, caterers and facility management businesses interested in retaining existing business, remaining competitive and expanding their offering. This is why it is essential to partner with a specialist, one that


has experience financing assets across the whole range of office equipment, who can create a financing option that makes sense. Why? Because catering providers are often part of wider facilities management (FM) companies who are delivering office tech, front of house, security, cleaning, and much more.


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