The lever opened up a valve which let some water flow out and continued to tilt with the weight of the coin until it fell off, at which point a counter-weight would snap the lever back up and turn off the valve.

Both vending and water dispensing have come a long way since then with manufacturers bringing out new models regularly. Watercoolers like Ebac’s new Fmax which is not only functional and money saving but very stylish and a great addition to any office, and vending machines which dispense up to 20 different hot drinks including tea or coffee to the strength you like and ones where a type of payment swipe card is used instead of coins.

An average size business with 50 staff could be spending more than £85,000 of its annual wage bill in time spent by employees making their own tea and coffee (NOP Research).

To save on costs many companies are switching to vending as a cost effective alternative to traditional restaurants and canteens. Technological advancements in the industry has meant that better quality and a more diverse range of food products can be sold through vending machines.

A report has shown that the high street has become a less popular place for lunch, with more workers than ever choosing not to leave the workplace at lunchtimes. This is primarily due to the fact that lunchtimes are becoming shorter - the average person taking only 28 minutes. The need to eat quickly, and often to take snacks rather than full meals, has encouraged more vending sales in the workplace.

Employers have recognised this need for convenience with the emergence of vending machines in the majority of work places nowadays. But what about those who would prefer a healthier alternative to hot beverages or canned fizzy drinks?

More women are entering the workforce than ever before, making up a large percentage of those in office based employment. It is typically women who encourage more innovative options such as healthy snacks and drinks.

More people are seeing the health benefits of drinking water but while the UK is a long way behind Europe in water consumption (on average British people drink just 22 litres/year each compared to other Europeans who drink more than 100 litres each) employers are increasingly seeing the need to provide a source of fresh chilled drinking water.

Drinking water is a simple and effective way to care for your health. The majority of people spend more than half of their waking hours at work so it’s important not to neglect your health during these hours.

As a result, few offices are without a watercooler, be it in their reception, staff areas or both. Water is one of the most effective and simple tools to increase efficiency and be more productive at work, combating headaches, poor concentration and lethargy.

As people are becoming more aware of the benefits and therefore drinking more water manufacturers have adapted their products; bigger cups to save on the number of trips to the cooler, adjustable cup stand like the one on the Fmax that allow you to fill jugs and sports bottles, higher burst rates to dispense more water quicker so distributors sell more, and the introduction of point of use watercoolers as opposed to ones that require bottles.

The point of use watercooler industry is a growing one with over 534,000 POU coolers in Western Europe, 35% of which are installed in UK companies and organisations such as schools and hospitals. The growth of the POU can be attributed to a number of factors; environmental benefits of not having bottles delivered, convenience of never running out of water and the cost savings. Recognising a need for the addition of a more cost effective environmentally friendly watercooler Ebac launched the Emax POU, based on the ever popular Emax - Europe’s best selling watercooler.

Tony Hird, Sales Director at watercooler manufacturer Ebac Limited commented, “The rise of the POU has been a significant breakthrough in the watercooler industry as it shows there is a market for innovative products that are different to what is perceived as conventional for this industry. However there is still the need for development and innovation of bottled watercoolers in order to give people a choice.”

The recent collaboration of the watercooler and vending industries at the AVEX Cooler and Vending Show held at Earls Court, London is testament that the industries are intertwined and complement one another, not just in offices but in hospitals and schools also. A resounding 96% of respondents to a questionnaire set by the European Point-of-use Drinking Water Association (EPDWA) said that they liked the idea of the combined industry show.

Tony Hird commented, “The majority of offices have both watercoolers and vending machines to allow their staff access to refreshments and snacks. These industries complement one another so it makes sense for people to see them side by side in a global arena.”

So with developments in the vending industry to provide healthy options as well as caffeinated drinks, sugary snacks and fat ridden crisps, as well as the inclusion of watercoolers in most offices, employers are getting the right balance to allow people to choose for themselves.

While there is still the need to provide sugary fatty drinks and snacks the vending industry is reinventing itself with healthy options, driving sales by responding to consumer demands.

Coupled with the inclusion of watercoolers in most offices, employers are getting the right balance to allow people to choose for themselves which can only be a good sign for both industries.

Ebac are Europe’s leading watercooler manufacturer. For more information on our range of bottled, POU and home watercoolers visit www.ebacwatercoolers.com

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