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VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories AMA CEO Carla Balakgie appeared on Fox Business Network to deliver the industry's message regard- ing calorie disclosure: "In our estimation, calorie disclosure is unnecessary, redundant and expensive." Likewise, operators across the U.S. have been talking to media outlets to publicize their frustration with the regulation. Jeff Metzger, CEO of American Value Vending in Hazleton, Pa. told local news source Go Lackawanna that the calorie disclosure law would be a lot of work and unnecessary for vending operators. In addition, Michael Grandone, owner of IT Vending Co. in Worcester, Mass., objects to the regulation because of its imprac- ticality, according to the Telegram. However Brandon Stallings, president of SmartBox in Jacksonville, Fla., told the Florida Times-Union that he is unconcerned, as his machines already display nutrition information. Final rule remains pending Eric Dell, senior vice president of government affairs at NAMA said, "It's important to note that the Calorie Disclosure Act has not been fnalized. We will continue to work with Congress, regulators and the industry to communicate the cost and impact of these proposed regulations." NAMA is also encouraging members to contact Roni Moore, vice president of mar- keting and public relations, before speaking to the press in order to articulate a unifed message to the media about calorie disclosure. N Vending Operators Speak Out On Calorie Disclosure and the combination has been approved by the board of directors of each company. VendScreen lands $17.8 million investment ▶ VendScreen, Inc. announced it has closed a $17.8 million round of fnancing to take its 3G vending platform technology into broad commercializa- tion. The fnancing was secured from two current investors: 3x5 Special Opportunity Fund and Mer- rickhanna Ventures. Canteen acquires Zaug's Vending ▶ Canteen's acquisition of Zaug's Vending, Cater- ing and Food Service in Appleton, Wis., was fnalized on Dec. 12, 2013, accord- ing to the Post Crescent. The family-owned company was founded in 1938 and is a full-line vending company in Appleton, Manitowoc and Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Reily Foods acquires New England Tea & Coffee Co. ▶ Reily Foods Co. based in New Orleans, La., announced the acquisition of the New England Tea & Coffee Co. based in Malden, Mass., one of the country's largest independent coffee roasters. Terms of the trans- action were not disclosed. Courtesy of Fox Business Network NAMA CEO Carla Balakgie calls calorie disclosure "unnecessary." Crane Co. acquires MEI for $804 million ▶ Crane Co. announced it has completed the acquisi- tion of MEI Conlux Holdings. The preliminary agreement was announced Dec. 21, 2012 that Crane Co. would purchase MEI Conlux Hold- ings, Inc. for $820 mil- lion from Bain Capital and Advantage Partners. On Aug. 2, 2013, Crane Co. revised purchase terms to acquire MEI for $804 million on a cash free and debt free basis. Aramark reveals new logo, new tagline ▶ Aramark unveiled the com- pany's re-vitalized logo and tagline: "We Dream. We Do." Aramark opened for trad- ing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ARMK" after its initial public offering. Sysco, US Foods announce merger ▶ Sysco Corp. and US Foods announced an agreement to merge. The total enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $8.2 billion 8 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com February 2014 autm_8-9_VMWNews.indd 8 2/4/14 11:58 AM