VendingMarketWatch News

» 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 jclark@clarkcommunicationsonline.com.

» 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.