May 2011 News
News for the Vending Industry in Print
Survey: young adults drink more coffee
»The National Coffee Association National Coffee Drinking Trends data indicates that consumption among consumers 18 to 39 years of age has rebounded to 2008-2009 levels following a decline last year. The finding mirrors increased confidence expressed by that group about their personal financial situation. The study also found that the coffee category remains strong, narrowing the already slim lead of soft drinks.
Flowers Foods will buye Tasty Baking Co.
»Flowers Foods Inc., which owns Mrs. Freshley's pastries, and Tasty Baking Co. announced a definitive merger agreement whereby Flowers will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Tasty Baking common stock for $4.00 per share in cash for a total purchase price of approximately $165 million, including Tasty’s existing indebtedness. The transaction is expected to contribute approximately $210 million to $225 million to Flowers’ 2012 sales.
Equity firm buys Ice House America
»Ulysses Management, LLC, an investment firm, has completed its acquisition of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Ice House America, LLC, and its affiliated companies through a controlled investment vehicle, Twice the Ice Holdings, LLC, according to news reports.
Ingenico and KICTeam sign OEM agreement
»Ingenico and KICTeam announced the signing of an OEM agreement for cleaning cards specifically designed for Ingenico POS terminals.
Coca-Cola introduces fully recyclable Dasani and Odwalla bottles
»Coca-Cola Co. recently announced that all Dasani bottles and Odwalla single-serving bottles will be available exclusively in PlantBottle packaging – the first-ever fully recyclable plastic beverage bottle produced using plants. Single-serve Odwalla packages are made from up to 100 percent plant-based materials with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. PET bottles for Dasani are made with up to 30 percent plant-based materials.
Coinco expands its cashless and telemetry offerings
»Coin Acceptors Inc. has expanded beyond its traditional role as a payment specialist with its recent acquisition of InOne Technology, a provider of telemetry-based aftermarket products. As announced in the April Automatic Merchandiser, the two companies continue to operate as separate entities, but the merger brings Coinco into the wireless communication business, offering telemetry-based remote machine monitoring (RMM) and cashless vending.
Under the trade name Arrow™, a new line of products being introduced at the National Automatic Merchandising Association OneShow includes three components: Arrow™ Connect, a “black box” that enables machines to record and transmit DEX data; Arrow™ Vision, a management software system that allows an operator to analyze results; and Arrow™ Reader, hardware that enables cashless payments.
Parker Condie, Coinco president, noted that the company is by no means a newcomer to DEX technology or cashless readers. Coinco offered DEX-based route management and cash collection and analysis in mid 1980s and was the first to offer combination bill acceptor/credit card reader in the 1990s.
In partnering with InOne, a developer of aftermarket DEX and telemetry products, Coinco expands its cashless and remote machine monitoring offerings.
Arrow™ Vision is an Internet hosted software that provides pre-pick and dynamic scheduling, which enables customers to increase route efficiencies, reduce routes and increase profits. Arrow™ Readers are equipped with voice prompting and allow for multi-lingual capabilities and multi-vend selections.
The Arrow™ combo reader accepts bills, credit or debit cards, and prepaid cards. Operators will have the option of utilizing the system’s credit processing function or use another processing service.
The Arrow™ standard reader accepts credit or debit cards and prepaid cards. The Arrow™ smart reader offers the same features and benefits as the standard reader but also using contact and contactless technology for vending purchases.
