» NAMA Introduces Ethics Tool Kit
A s part of an ongoing effort to promote honesty and ethics in the industry, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) recently introduced a tool kit that members can use to distinguish their business from dishonest competitors. The tool kit follows two previously established projects, the ethics code and the industry accounting best practices, a document that helps accounts identify unethical financial practices when auditing vending companies.
The new tool kit includes materials operators can use to show accounts how they can identify unethical competitors. These include:
- A “talking points” document that explains low profit margins don’t equal high commissions.
- Ten tips for working with your vending operator; a document that educates the account on how to identify an unethical operator.
- Language for bid responses; points to include in proposals to demonstrate honesty and integrity.
- Language for requests for proposals (RFPs); a document that includes specific points an account should add in an RFP to ensure only ethical operators respond.
- How technology can help; an explanation of how advances in technology enable transparent accounting for all aspects of the vending operation.
- The NAMA industry accounting best practices document.
For more information about the tool kit or ethics program, call Jackie Clark at (301) 987-7113 or e-mail at [email protected].
» NAMA Announces Schedule for its 2009 National, Spring Expos The National Automatic Merchandising
Association (NAMA) announced the schedule for its spring and national expos. The 2009 Spring Expo will be held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center April 16 to 17, with education programs April 15 to 17. The National Expo will be held at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Sept. 23 to 25, which is a different month than usual.
The spring and national expos are different events with different formats, schedules, educational programming and attendees. Both show locations, however, are fun destinations delivering a host of attractions and activities. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is in the heart of Las Vegas, which delivers entertainment, restaurants, nightlife and gambling.
In Chicago, the Navy Pier has been the place where visitors come to enjoy all the fun and beauty of a day on Lake Michigan. Visitors can also sign up for cruises, enjoy restaurants, or attend theatrical performances and special events.
Attendees can learn more about the 2009 Spring Expo as plans are finalized by visiting www.vending.org.
» California Wperators Get VendingMisers Through State Energy Program
A request from a vending operator to remove lights from a vending machine to save energy resulted in VendingMiser installations on more than 100 machines in northern California.
Napa Valley Vending, Napa, Calif., installed the units at no cost to operators located in Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Contra Costa counties. Many of the vendors were not even aware the VendingMisers had been installed, and those that did were delighted to see the difference in their monthly energy bills.
More than 100 VendingMisers were provided at reduced cost through a program offered by the Small Business Energy Alliance (SBEA) of California, and sponsored by California’s Pacific Gas &Electric Co., one of nearly 60 energy utilities participating in USA Technologies’ VendingMiser Rebate and Turnkey Program.
» Pepsi Bottling Group Restructures, Will Close Four Facilities
The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. announced a multi-year initiative designed to enhance the company’s operating capabilities around the world. The restructuring program is expected to result in annualized pre-tax savings of $150 to $160 million upon completion.
In the U.S. and Canada, the company will continue to focus on refining its selling and service organization, reducing its general and administrative expenses, and enhancing the efficiency of its supply chain infrastructure.
About 750 jobs are expected to be impacted as the company implements these plans. The company will modify its defined benefit pension plans, which will generate long-term savings and reduce future financial obligations.
» Lance Bids $30 Million for Archway, Mother’s Cake and Cookie Co.
Lance Inc. entered the first official bid for Archway Cookies and Mother’s Cake and Cookie Co. in U.S. bankruptcy court through Archer Acquisitions LLC, according to The Mansfield News Journal in Mansfield, Ohio. Lance bid $30 million for the assets.
» Barclays Private Equity and Investcorp Acquire N&W Global Vending
Barclays Private Equity and Investcorp have completed the acquisition of N&W Global Vending, the pan-European manufacturer of food and beverage vending machines from Argan Capital and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity. Investcorp and Barclays Private Equity will own the company on an equal basis, with management retaining a minority stake in the company. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Based in Valbrembo, Italy, N&W Global Vending manufactures products in three core areas: hot and cold beverages; snack and food; and can and bottle vending machines.
N&W Global Vending was formed in 2000 through the merger of two European vending machine manufacturers, Necta and Wittenborg. Some machines are sold in the U.S.
» Sabbers & Associates Relocates
Sabbers & Associates Inc., the vend product brokerage, relocated to a new facility. The new address is 466 Old Hook Road, Suite 24-C, Emerson, NJ 07630; Phone 201-262-5959 (no change); Fax 201-262-8765 (no change).
» Supermarkets to Carry Keurig Brewers, K-Cups Nationwide
Green Mountain Coffee Inc. and Keurig Inc., divisions of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. are providing single-cup brewers and patented K-Cup® portion packs to grocery stores nationwide.
A new single-cup brewer from Keurig, the Classic, is available exclusively at grocery locations. In addition, Green Mountain Coffee has debuted a new and compact 12-count box of K-Cups®, available in 10 different varieties of coffee, including Fair Trade Certified™ and organic offerings. The 12-count packaging is specifically designed to fit on supermarket shelves.
» Nestlé Promotes Water as a Healthy Alternative to Soda
Nestlé, in an effort to boost its bottled water business, is trying to persuade consumers they should worry more about another drink: soda, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company recently began advertising its Nestlé Pure Life on U.S. Spanish-language TV channels such as Univision and TeleFutura, touting water as a healthier alternative to sugar-filled soda drinks. It will expand the campaign into English-language TV and print ads across the U.S. in the first quarter of next year, a spokesman said.
» Aramark Acquires Brand Coffee Service Inc. in Houston, Texas
Aramark Refreshment Services, LLC, acquired Brand Coffee Service, Inc., a Houston, Texas-based company providing brand-name refreshment services in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio for an undisclosed sum. Brand Coffee Service provides OCS that includes premium coffees, hot and cold drinks, snack selections and allied products. Brand Coffee Service has nearly 3,000 clients.
» Bankruptcy Court Approves Pierre Foods’ Reorganization Plan
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the disclosure statement filed in connection with the Pierre Foods Inc.’s proposed plan of reorganization and authorized Pierre to begin soliciting votes on the plan.
The plan is supported by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P., the company’s single largest creditor, and Pierre’s official committee of unsecured creditors.
» Sabra Dipping Co. to Open Manufacturing Plant in Virginia
Sabra Dipping Co., a U.S./Canadian joint venture between Pepsico Inc. and Israel-based Strauss Group that has exhibited hummus at vending trade shows, plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, Va., creating an estimated 260 jobs by mid-2010, according to Virginia Business, based in Richmond, Va.
» Shamrock Farms Prepares Nationwide Distribution
Shamrock Farms, which supplies the vending trade in addition to other retailers, announced plans to introduce its single serve milk line at retail in selected national markets. The initial rollout will focus on the Shamrock Farms flavored, on-the-go line and is expected to fuel future efforts for national distribution of the dairy brand.
» Sara Lee Corp. to Close Kosher Hot Dog Facility in Chicago
Sara Lee Corp. will close its kosher hot dog and meat processing facility on or before Jan. 30, 2009. The company has decided to exit the kosher meat business, and will discontinue processing and distributing products made under all of its kosher meat brands, including Best’s Kosher, Sinai Kosher, Shofar and Wilno. The closure of the Chicago facility will result in a workforce reduction of approximately 185 employees.
People in the News
» Industry Loses Veteran Walter F. Bucki, Jr.
Walter F. Bucki, Jr., a partner in Royal Sales & Consulting, based in Elgin, Ill. and a contributing editor to Automatic Merchandiser, recently passed away following an illness. He was 58 and a resident of Naperville, Ill.
Bucki was a 36-year vending/foodservice industry professional who spent more than 20 years in regional management with two of the nation’s largest food service/vending companies.
» Larry Eils Becomes a NAMA Knowledge Source Partner
The National Automatic Merchandising Association named former 23-year employee Larry Eils as a Knowledge Source Partner. Eils has devoted more than 30 years to the advancement of the environmental and public health professions, and he is a widely recognized and respected leader in food safety issues and the vending industry.
Eils is a registered sanitarian in Illinois and a foodservice manager in sanitation in Illinois.
» Patterson Co. Inc. Tabs Pavlic Vending Service’s Annie Sawa For Sales Position
Patterson Co. Inc., the Northbrook, Ill.-based vending and OCS product brokerage, recently hired Annie Sawa as a sales rep for the Wisconsin and eastern Michigan territory.
She joins Patterson Co. Inc. from Pavlic Vending Service Inc. in Waukesha, Wis., where she served as a sales rep. Sawa replaces Tom Westerman, who joined MEI as a sales rep.
» Rowe/AMI Tabs Crane’s Bryan Aune for Sales Position
Bryan Aune recently left his role as regional sales director at Crane Merchandising Systems and has joined AMI Entertainment and Rowe International as regional sales manager. He will oversee the sales of AMI-powered jukeboxes throughout the Midwest region.
» Campbell Soup Co. Announces Management Changes
Campbell Soup Co. announced the appointment of Sean Connolly as president, Campbell USA and Irene Chang Britt as president, North America Foodservice.
Connolly, 43, will be responsible for Campbell’s $3.7 billion U.S. soup, sauces and beverages business.
» Hershey Co. Names Andy McCormick Vice President Of Public Affairs
The Hershey Co. announced that Andy McCormick is joining the company as vice president, public affairs. McCormick will lead Hershey’s global corporate social responsibility, community relations, product publicity and corporate communications activities.
» Dean Foods Co. Promotes Greg McKelvey to Executive Vice President
Gregg L. Engles, chairman and chief executive officer, Dean Foods Co. announced the promotion of Greg McKelvey to the newly-created position of executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer, effective immediately.
Reporting to Engles, McKelvey will continue to develop the company’s strategic planning processes and capabilities, as well as lead the organization’s transformation efforts.
