November December 2011 News

Cashless vending providers cite progress on debit fees

Cashless vending system providers announced progress in minimizing transaction rate hikes for Visa debit cards, which represent the majority of cashless vending transactions. This bodes well for cashless vending following the October announcement that banks and credit card networks would impose higher rates on small ticket transactions on account of the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation. Apriva, a cashless system provider, announced that its rates for cashless transactions will continue in line with its Visa Incentive Program for Visa debit transactions beyond 2011. USA Technologies Inc., another cashless system provider, announced that Visa will allow USA Technology’s card processing rate to remain steady for at least the next year. “The market will straighten out the effects of Durbin,” noted Gene Ostendorf, CEO of InOne Technology, another cashless vending provider.The National Automatic Merchandising Association, meanwhile, reported in late November that a resolution of the Durbin issue is imminent.

Atlantic Coast Expo draws strong turnout

The Atlantic Coast Exposition drew a 15 percent increase in attendance in October at the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C.Scott Halloran, show chairman, said the show’s education seminars were well attended, the best one being on the new self checkout markets.The 2010 award winners are:• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Kerley, retired, Canteen Vending Services Inc., Greenville, S.C.• Chairmans Award: Scott Halloran, Trolleyhouse Refreshments, Richmond, Va.• North Carolina Vendors Association Vendor of the Year: Scott Denhard, Canteen Vending Services Inc., Charlotte, N.C.• North Carolina Vendors Association Supplier of the Year: Doug Darby, Vendors Supply Inc.• Virginia Automatic Merchandising Association Vendor of the Year: Carl Moser, Cardinal Industries, Ashland, Va.

Next Generation buys Zappia Vending

Next Generation Vending, LLC, based in Stoughton, Mass., acquired assets of Zappia Vending Service, Inc., based in Newark, N.Y. Next Generation will integrate Zappia Vending into its operations in upstate New York. Next Generation delivers vending and office refreshment services to customers throughout the Northeast, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania.

J.M. Smucker Co. to acquire Sara Lee coffee business

The J. M. Smucker Co., which owns Folgers, announced a definitive agreement to acquire a majority of the North American foodservice coffee and hot beverage business of Sara Lee Corp. The acquisition includes Sara Lee’s liquid coffee concentrate business sold under the licensed Douwe Egberts® brand, along with a variety of roast and ground coffee, cappuccino, tea, and cocoa products, sold through foodservice channels in North America. In addition, the companies agreed to collaborate on liquid coffee technology by entering into a long-term foodservice innovation partnership. The acquisition is expected to add annual net sales of approximately $285 million to the company.

ConAgra Foods to buy National Pretzel Co.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. has agreed to acquire National Pretzel Co., based in Lancaster, Pa., from Brookstone Holdings. National Pretzel makes private label pretzels in a variety of forms, including rods, sticks, braids and twists for a variety of customers, including many of the top grocery retailers in America.

Coca-Cola Co. to buy Great Plains Bottling

Coca-Cola Co. agreed to acquire Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Co. based in Oklahoma City, Okla. for about $360 million as the soda giant continues to bring its bottlers in-house.

Canteen buys NCV Refreshment Services

Canteen Vending Services Inc. acquired NCV Refreshment Services, also known as North County Vending, located in Vista, Calif. for an undisclosed sum. The company was started by John Sowell in 1977 and operated branches in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. Nine of NCV’s business locations were sold to Canteen while a Southwest division that includes Las Vegas and St. George, Utah, was not included in the acquisition.

Coinstar Inc. tests OCS concept

Coinstar Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of Coinstar counting machines and redbox DVD rental machines, has been testing a coffee service concept. The concept being tested is geared to public spaces as opposed to offices.

Halloran merges with Richmond, Va. firm

Halloran Refreshment Services, based in Richmond, Va., recently merged with Vending Services of Richmond, under the new name, Trolleyhouse Refreshment Services. Scott Halloran, owner of Halloran Refreshment Services, said he is now a partner with the co-owners of Vending Services of Richmond, Tom Crowell and Michael Calkins.

Missouri shuts down Pop N Go Inc.

Missouri regulators have ordered Pop N Go Inc. and two men associated with the company, Kirk Porter and Melvin Wyman, both of Whittier, Calif., to stop doing business in the state after they allegedly misled two elderly Independence, Mo. residents into investing more than $87,000 in popcorn vending machines.

Dippin’ Dots files for bankruptcy protection

After a 4-year battle with its biggest lender, Dippin’ Dots Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Paducah, Ky., to avoid foreclosure.