CRANE CONVENIENCE


A century of innovation: the legacy of Crane Convenience


What 100 Years of Innovation Can Teach Us About the Future of Vending


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n 2026, Crane Convenience celebrates 100 years in the vending industry. With roots stretching back to National Sales Machine Co. in 1926 and National Vendors in 1933, the business has witnessed


many of the industry’s most significant transformations, from mechanical merchandising and cash transactions to digital engagement, cashless payment, and connected convenience solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, we spoke with Matthew Volinsky, general manager of Crane Convenience, about what a century of innovation has taught us and where unattended retail is headed next.


Crane Convenience is celebrating 100 years in vending. What does this milestone mean to you? When you look at a milestone like this, it’s impossible not to think about the people behind it. For a century, generations of employees have developed


products, supported customers, solved operational challenges, and helped shape the vending industry. While technology has evolved dramatically, what stands out most is the consistent commitment to serving our operator customers and the end consumers. For me, this anniversary isn’t simply about longevity. It’s about the ability to adapt, innovate, and stay relevant across multiple generations of technology and changing customer expectations. Reaching 100 years is an achievement, but it also serves as a reminder that innovation never stands still.


You’ve effectively witnessed many chapters of vending history through the heritage of National Vendors, MEI, Crane Merchandising Systems, CPI, and Crane Convenience. What has changed the most?


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The scale and speed of innovation. Early vending was largely focused on delivering a product


efficiently and reliably. Today, operators are managing connected unattended retail environments that generate insights, support remote management, enable digital payments, and create more engaging consumer experiences. We’ve moved from purely mechanical systems to intelligent


platforms. Cashless payments, real-time connectivity, remote diagnostics, telemetry, promotional tools, loyalty programs, dynamic pricing, and digital merchandising have transformed what vending can do. What once was a machine is now part of a broader retail ecosystem. Equally important is the growing sophistication of the consumer.


People increasingly expect the same convenience, personalization, and quality from unattended retail that they receive elsewhere.


Despite those changes, what has remained constant? The customer’s need for convenience. Whether you’re talking about a machine installed in 1926 or a connected retail solution in 2026, the fundamental objective remains the same: helping people access products quickly, easily, and reliably. Similarly, operators have always needed solutions that are dependable and profitable. Technology changes, but reliability, uptime, ease of operation, and serviceability remain critical. Many of the conversations we have today about labor availability,


operational efficiency, and consumer engagement are modern versions of challenges operators have faced for decades.


The industry is increasingly discussing connected retail rather than simply vending. How do you view that transition? I think it’s a very important shift. Consumers don’t necessarily think in terms of vending, micro


markets, coffee, payments, or software. They simply expect a seamless experience wherever they are buying and consuming.


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