Automatic Merchandiser serves the business management, marketing, technology and product information needs of its readers including vending operators, coffee service operators, product brokers, and product and equipment distributors in print.
Issue link: http://automaticmerchandiser.epubxp.com/i/378523
VendingMarketWatch Top News Stories ayRange announced that it has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Vistar. As part of the agreement, Vistar's nationwide staff will focus on the representation and sales of the PayRange technol- ogy. "We see this as an incredible partnership," Paresh Patel, CEO and founder of PayRange, told VendingMar- ketWatch. "Vistar has a vested interest in the vending industry, as nearly all operators buy from the company, and now Vistar can help operators increase their sales by accepting mobile payment on the machines." There will be no additional shipping cost for operators adding the PayRange technology to their Vistar orders and prices will remain at $49 each. Top Investor Backing Following on the heels of a $2.75M funding round, PayRange also disclosed a list of notable investors: Nyca Partners (which includes Osama Bedier, former head of Google Payments; Hans Morris, former president of Visa; and Max Levchin, co- founder of PayPal); Anil Aggarwal and Jonathan Weiner, founders of the Money 20/20 conference; Barbara Corcoran; Google Ventures; Jared Leto; and Phil Nadel. P Refreshments is suing USA Technologies, according to The Atlanta Journal- Constitution. Coca-Cola Refreshments alleges that USA Technologies failed to disconnect its card readers on Coke vending machines after the two companies ended a partnership and the lawsuit claims that USA Technologies continued to collect monthly fees. A USA Technologies representa- tive is quoted as saying the lawsuit is without merit. Mars, Inc. Introduces SNICKERS Xtreme ▶ For the frst time, SNICKERS ® Brand offered consumers the chance to select the name of a new product through an exclusive vote on the brand's Facebook page. Mars Chocolate North America announced the fans' choice – SNICKERS Xtreme. SNICKERS Xtreme includes a single layer of roasted peanuts and cara- mel blended and enrobed in milk chocolate. AMS Announces New Ownership ▶ Automated Merchandis- ing Systems (AMS) President Sharon Shull has announced the purchase of the vend- ing machine manufacturing company by AMS Group, Inc., led by its CEO, Roger Tovar. In a letter to AMS customers, Shull points out, "Roger Tovar is no stranger to AMS, as he was one of our frst customers. In that early relationship, Roger and Roy Steeley, like Roger and I, became friends." Vistar sales representatives will now sell the PayRange device nationwide. BBI Adds National Telesales Offce To Its Portfolio ▶ Burdette Beckmann, Inc. (BBI) announced the addition of a new inside sales offce located in downtown Apple- ton, WI. The offce is staffed with a professional inside tele- sales team that will act as an extension to the existing BBI sales team. The new offce and team are being managed by Tammy Whittemore. USConnect Hosts Affliate Summer Meeting ▶ The USConnect family of companies conducted their summer meeting in Balti- more, MD, on July 9 and 10. Nearly all of the current 39 USConnect affliate com- panies were represented at the meeting. The balance of the meeting revolved around subjects such as: how to use the USConnect advantages in selling new business, how to roll out the USConnect Rewards Card and services at client locations, the Bistro to Go! Micro Market concept, end consumer promotions via the USConnect Rewards Card, and how to incorporate the USConnect "The Right Choice…for a Healthier You!" program in account retention and sales. Coca-Cola Refreshments Sues USA Technologies ▶ A lawsuit fled in federal court in Atlanta, GA, reveals that Coca-Cola PayRange Signs Distribution Agreement With Vistar 10 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com September 2014