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AMA announced that 30 partici- pants successfully completed its Execu- tive Development Pro- gram at Michigan State University. The EDP Class of 2015 joins the ranks of more than 450 other industry execu- tives to graduate from the program since its inception in 2000. "On behalf of NAMA, I'd like to congratulate our 2015 EDP graduates on their tremendous performance in the program this past week," said Dan Mathews, NAMA executive vice president and chief operating offcer. "This fall marks the 15th year of the NAMA Executive Development Program and it gets bet- ter and better each year. Our participants came from a variety of professional back- grounds within the industry, but they were united by passion and a strong desire to learn and grow." New additions this year included EDP faculty member, Dr. Cheri Speier-Pero, who led Business Analytics and Leveraging Customer Data, giving participants a look at how predictive analytics can be used to create value within organizations. The 2015 curriculum also incorporated new content, including an updated case study and a cus- tomer pricing component, helping participants strategize and tackle pressing industry challenges while preparing them for the future. N 30 Participants Complete NAMA's Executive Program of its merger in July and in August it laid off 700 employees at its corporate headquarters in Northfeld, IL. This latest round of cuts continues the Kraft Heinz Co. plan to be more globally competitive and modernize plant equipment. The company intends to close production plants in California, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Production in those facilities will move to other factories. Carvana Opens World's First, Fully-Automated, Coin-Operated Car Vending Machine ▶ Carvana launched the world's frst, fully-automated, coin-operated car vend- ing machine in Nashville, TN. Carvana customers can now purchase a car entirely online and choose to receive their car through a propri- etary and fully-automated pick-up experience, similar to how a can of soda is dispensed from a traditional vending machine. Carvana's car vending machine in Nashville is a glass building that contains a welcome center, a fve story glass tower storing up to 20 cars, three customer delivery bays and an automated delivery system that moves a customer's vehicle from the tower and into each bay. NAMA held its Executive Development Program at Michigan State University Oct. 18-22, 2015. Gourmet Coffee Service Signs Long Term Distribution Deal With Nespresso ▶ Gourmet Coffee Service has partnered with Nespresso to bring the brand's single- serve espresso and coffee machines to Los Angeles County and Orange County offce environments. "We are very excited to join forces with Nespresso," said Bob Tullio, VP of business devel- opment for Gourmet Coffee Service. "For some time, our clients have been asking for Nespresso, brewed on profes- sional equipment, managed through our refreshment services program. It's another opportunity to spoil our ter- rifc client base." Kraft Heinz Co. To Close Seven Manufacturing Plants ▶ Kraft Heinz Co. will be closing seven of its manufacturing plants and eliminating 6 percent of its workforce, The Wall Street Journal reports. As part of a plan to "reduce overlap and excess capacity" the newly merged company is eliminating 2,500 jobs. Pre- viously, the Kraft Heinz Co. announced the completion 8 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com December 2015 T O P N E W S