Vending machine reach rules begin March 15, 2012

The compliance date set forth in the revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules is March 15, 2012, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) reported. The reach range must now be no higher than 48 inches (instead of 54 inches) and no lower than 15 inches (instead of 9 inches). The reach requirements apply to operable parts on accessible elements, to elements located on accessible routes, and to elements in accessible rooms and spaces. The regulations apply to “public entities” which include any federal, state or local government. It also applies to private entities that operate public accommodations. A copy of this document can be found on the NAMA Website at www.vending.org.

Mint to cut dollar coin production

? The U.S. Mint will curtail production of dollar coins due to lack of use. The Dollar Coin Alliance, a coalition of small businesses, budget watchdogs, transit agencies and labor groups, called on the Obama Administration to reverse course on its decision to suspend the Presidential $1 Coin program.

USAT stops accepting MasterCard debit

? USA Technologies Inc. (USAT) recently advised customers the company would no longer accept MasterCard debit transactions. USAT  will continue to accept all other debit and prepaid card brands, as well as all credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover, with no change to its current card processing rates.

Green Mountain halts K-Cup vender program

? Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. has discontinued the vending machine program and is no longer making the sale of individual K-Cup® packs available through a vending environment. The company acknowledged that while Multi Max LLC may still be selling a vending unit that dispenses K-Cup® packs, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is not specifically providing K-Cup® packs for use in any vending environment.

Weymouth Distributing closes its doors

? Weymouth Distributing Co., based in Los Angeles, Calif., ended operations after 55 years after owner Laura Weymouth had a heart attack and triple bypass along with a valve replacement.

Snak King Corp. acquires C.J. Vitner Co.

? Snak King Corp. has acquired C.J. Vitner Co., a manufacturer and distributor of snack foods in the greater Chicago, Ill. market.

Sara Lee buys luxury tea company

? Sara Lee Corp. has acquired luxury tea company Tea Forté to be part of its international beverage company when it splits into two later this year.

Hostess files for bankruptcy again

? Hostess Brands Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in the last decade.

DS Waters acquires Deep Rock Water Co.

? DS Waters of America, Inc.,a provider of bottled water products, is pleased to announce the acquisition of substantially all of the Colorado assets of Deep Rock Water Co., which provides coffee and filtration services.

Next Generation buys New England Ice Cream

? New England Ice Cream Corp., a Taunton, Mass.-based provider of wholesale and specialty distribution services, divested its machine vending division to Next Generation Vending, LLC, based in Stoughton, Mass.

Cafection partners with Betson

? Cafection has partnered with Carlstadt, N.J.-based Betson Enterprises to extend its customer services program throughout the U.S. This partnership ensures lower shipping costs, no custom fees and faster delivery times. Parts, brewer exchanges, and accessories will be available from Betson Enterprises at three locations; New Jersey, California and Illinois.

First Class buys NCV routes in Las Vegas

? NCV Southwest Inc., a division of Vista, Calif.-based NCV Refreshment Services Inc., is selling assets to First Class Vending Inc., according to The Las Vegas Sun in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bell Gardens, Calif.-based First Class already operated in Las Vegas.

DS Waters acquires Deep Rock Vuncannons sell Refreshment Services

? Long-time vending Charlotte, N.C. area vending operator Bill Smith and a partner, Drew Schwartz, have acquired Indian Trails, N.C.-based Refreshment Services Inc., one of the area’s largest vending companies, from husband-and-wife owners Scott and Nan Vuncannon. Smith merged a 2-route operation in Indian Hills, Carolina Snack Services, into Refreshment Services, which now has a total of about 20 routes, six of which are based in a Denver, N.C. facility. Scott Vuncannon continues to help out on a consulting basis.

Advanced Vending merges with Florida Fresh Vending

? Advanced Vending Systems, Inc., based in Ringgold, Ga. merged with Florida Fresh Vending, LLC, based in Tampa, Fla., creating a 30-route vending and OCS operation that will be led by Dennis Thornton, who operates from the Ringgold, Ga. office, and Paul Plante, who leads the Florida Fresh Vending in Tampa, Plant City and Orlando, Fla. Advanced Vending Systems is based in Ringgold, Ga. with operations in Knoxville and Chattanooga Tenn., along with Atlanta and Griffin, Ga.

VendScreen acquires CTO Services, taps Jim Brinton, secures $12 M

? VendScreen Inc., inventor of the VendScreen™ smart device for new and existing vending machines, acquired the intellectual property of CTO Services, LLC and named its principal Glenn Butler, as co-founder and chief technology officer. Jim Brinton, former chairman of the National Automatic Merchandising Association, current chairman of Unified Strategies Group, president of Evergreen Vending in Seattle, Wash. and CEO of Avanti Markets, joins VendScreen as an investor and member of the board of advisors. VendScreen also announced it has secured a $12 million investment.