Vending Technologies Tailors Drinks

Vending Technologies Tailors Drinks

To Meet Kiwi Summer Thirst

Small is Beautiful When It Comes to Vending

AUCKLAND, 20 December 2001 – Kiwi demand for more convenient summer sipping has prompted two New Zealand companies to team up and produce thirst-sized drinks especially for vending machines.

This is the first time brands such as e2, Kiwi Blue, Keri and Thextons have been packaged in 300ml and 330ml PET (plastic) bottles.

And now they’re available chilled from vending machines at stadiums, sports clubs, swimming pools and other recreation sites throughout the country thanks to Vending Technologies Limited (NZSE: VTL) and Rio Beverages Limited.

Sharon Turner, VTL Sales and Marketing Manager, says they are responding to consumer requests for a wider selection of cold drinks from vending machines.

“The larger bottles hold more than a single serving, and people purchasing from vending machines usually want a cold drink for one. Small is beautiful when it comes to vending,” says Turner.

While adults are likely to choose water or juice, e2 has proven to be a winner with the young and the thirsty.

“e2 is still one of the top performing brands in the fast growing Energy drink category. And because the e2 range is ‘OK for Kids’, we anticipate it will be popular in recreation sites,” says Turner

The small format Kiwi Blue is also likely to prove popular.

“New Zealanders have taken to bottled water in increasing numbers and until now vending machines have not provided a wide selection,” says Turner. “We’re confident that the new bottle size will give thirsty Kiwis the refreshment they need from vending machines at sport and recreation venues.”

Nigel Woodd, Chief Executive Officer for Rio Beverages, knows from market research that consumers want a smaller more convenient bottle for convenience beverages.

“Our beverage brands perform well in other channels and we anticipate that the new format will see us rapidly gain market share in the vending channel,” says Woodd.

As part of an agreement that VTL and Rio entered into earlier this year, distinctive e2 signage is being placed on new vending machines as they roll out around New Zealand.

About Vending Technologies Limited
Vending Technologies Limited (NZSE: VTL) supplies and operates electronically enhanced food and beverage vending machines throughout Australasia. Established in 1997, the company manufactures, sells, maintains and services vending machines and licenses branded electronic vending businesses under its VendSmart programme.

The company has developed a proprietary computerised management system to enable tracking of all transactions, with complete revenue accountability and the ability to monitor the performance of each machine from remote locations.

Vending Technologies’ independence means it has a network of long-term alliances with leading suppliers of major branded convenience food and beverages offering consumers an extensive choice of leading brand snacks, meal replacements and drinks.

About Rio Beverages
Rio Beverages, 50 percent owned by Cerebos Greggs, is one of the fastest growing beverage companies in New Zealand and owns numerous leading beverage brands including e2, Keri, Kiwi Blue, Thextons and Ikon.

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