General Vending Services is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record.

The Surrey-based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors.

Harrogate Spa Water is joining the popcorn and pick-and-mix at the snack counters of Vue cinemas around the country. 750ml PET (plastic) bottles of the original British spa water will be available this month at Vue’s 66 locations around the country, including Leicester Square in London, which has hosted royal premieres for more than 60 years. It is estimated over 1.5 million bottles will be sold in the first year.

Tetra Pak announces that 75% of its cartons on sale in the UK and Ireland, around 1.5 billion units, will become Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified in the next year.

In the US, the New York State government will be able to implement its 5 cent bottle deposit tax on bottled water, after an injunction against the bill was lifted.

Lavazza, Italy’s favourite coffee, has appointed Gary Sanders as Head of Technical Services for the OCS/Vending division.

Gary has acquired vast knowledge with the Italian machine manufacturer N&W where he started work over 16 years ago when the company was still known as Zanussi Vending. As a founder member of the UK team he was instrumental in setting up the UK operation and played a key role in the growth of the company. 

The 2010 edition of the VENDING PARIS trade show will take place from 27 to 29 October in Paris at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, in partnership with the French vending association Navsa (Chambre Syndicale Nationale de Vente et Services Automatiques). Attracting more than 10,000 professionals and 200 exhibitors in 2008, VENDING PARIS has established itself as the industry’s key event.

With over 60 current European directives, either in discussion or nearing completion, likely to impact on the vending industry across Europe, the AVA has a key role to play in protecting its members’ interests and ensuring that the government does not impose unnecessary financial burdens on the vending industry.

The AVA are very sorry to announce that William Richie, a long standing member of the AVA, from Caledonian Vending and previously Sales Manager for GKN Sankey sadly passed away on Wednesday 11 November.

Congratulations to Steve Collins, AVA Quality Coordinator, as he completes 10 years service with the AVA.

Starting his career as a chef, Steve was quickly introduced to vending as his role widened. He became catering manager and took over responsibility for vending services. His career includes some big names such as Compass, JVH and Sodexho.

Creating more moments of pleasure, Cadbury the UK’s number one confectionery manufacturer has invested £1.5m behind an advertising campaign for Cadbury Flake.

The European Vending Association welcomes Simat, a Catalan company, specialised in the manufacture of soluble products for vending machines.

Simat has been producing soluble products since 1979, and has continued to adapt its products to the most innovative technologies, as well as maintaining the very best standards in human resources.

Leading European vending operator Selecta, is supporting UNICEF’s water project WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) to help give 25,000 inhabitants of Gambia’s Upper River Region access to clean water.

AIMIA FOODS LTD has joined NIVO from the 1st November 2009. This is a long term agreement that will include the full range of AIMIA services to the NIVO members.

Graham Kingaby, M.D. of NIVO explains, “Aimia has for many years held a special place in our industry, offering almost unique added value services for operators throughout the UK. Not just great products and a great service, but also additional support packages especially geared for the independent vending operator. I am sure that many members will find this a very powerful combination to help them, in turn, give great products and services to their own clients. I have every confidence that AIMIA will prove to be a very valuable addition to our NIVO offering to members.”

Caffè Culture has announced details of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe’s conference programme to be hosted at its 2010 event (23–25 June). Europe’s largest coffee led event, Caffè Culture 2010, is set to attract the cream of the global coffee community to London for three days of business, networking, conferences and competitions.

One of the world’s largest paper and packaging products company, International Paper, has announced the appointment of Mike Gardner to the role of Sales and Market­ing Director in its European Foodservice operation.

Britvic is launching a new drench advertising campaign starring a hamster jazz band and demonstrates that best performances come from being hydrated.

Huhtamaki is well known for its innovative range of foodservice disposables and quality printing processes, which is why they were chosen by premium organic chocolate brand Green & Black’s to create a bespoke design for the 12oz paper hot cups ordered as part of their sponsorship of the Natural History Museum’s Ice Rink, as Natalie Brown, Senior Brand Manager, Green & Black’s explains:

“Open to the public from 5th November to 17th January, the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum will be one of London’s most popular and spectacular winter attractions, and so it was essential that we maximised our sponsorship investment by ordering customised paper hot cups to promote the Green & Black’s brand.

Nestlé strengthens its commitment to sustainable cocoa sourcing by certifying its flagship UK confectionery brand

Nestlé UK has announced that Kit Kat, its leading confectionery brand and the UK’s favourite chocolate biscuit - will be certified Fairtrade in the UK and Ireland. This move follows the October launch of Nestlé’s global Cocoa Plan which represents a £65 million investment over the next ten years in programmes to address the key economic, social and environmental issues facing cocoa farming communities.

Wenlock Spring are celebrating after receiving 3 industry awards for their new glass bottled spring water range, at the 52nd BBI Gala Awards Dinner in London at Vintners Hall in London, on 23 November.

Lavazza, Italy’s leading coffee company, has created Espression, a new and innovative approach to coffee consumption, environment, service and quality. Ten Lavazza Espression cafés have already been opened worldwide and with the concept has been awarded the 2008 Grand Award for Restaurant Design at the A.R.E. Design Awards, sponsored by the Association for Retail Environments. Lavazza is looking forward to further opening across Europe in 2010.

United Biscuits (UBUK), a leading manufacturer of snacks, biscuits and cakes, is launching a diverse range of promotions, new products and reformulations to drive awareness and sales of its bagged snacks in 2010. An engaging Hula Hoops charity on-pack promotion and consumer event, a popular new addition to the McCoy’s range and further saturated fat reduction and a raft of new Phileas Fogg products all form part of actioned-packed start to 2010. They have been designed to support growth across all channels.

The Food Standards Agency’s seventh UK-wide Consumer Attitudes to Foods Survey, published in February 2007, found healthy eating to be a key concern for consumers. It noted a significant yearly increase in the number of consumers who are aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

Incorporating Nivex, Vendex 2009 is the only one day vending exhibition in the UK. Organised by Auto Vending, the show was held in the Manchester Suite at Old Trafford, home to none other than Manchester United Football Club, on Tuesday 17th November. Said to be the show the trade goes to for the latest innovations in machines, in addition to wide range of vended products and services, there was a free lunch laid on for visitors and a great time was had by all.