Benders now extend the traceability coded printed on the bottom of their paper cups to cover all vending paper cups manufactured for the UK and European markets. Even though Benders manufacturer one of the most reliable vending cups in the market, the traceability initiative is another example of their commitment to improved quality, making it easier for the vending operator and ensuring that the operators maximise their profit opportunities.

Now in its sixth year, Caffè Culture, the UK’s most comprehensive resource for the UK café and coffee bar market, took place in the National Hall, Olympia on 18th & 19th May 2011. On Friday 20th May the show also won the award for UK’s Best Trade Event at the prestigious Exhibition News Awards for Caffè Culture 2010.

This year be prepared to be wowed with a trip into the future of vending management technology. We have always considered our progression in vending software as a continuing journey and the launch of our 4th generation product; SeQueL will mark a major milestone in that journey.

Visitors to AVEX (Stand A60) will be the first in the country to get a sneak preview of how the Vivreau team of designers have taken the successful V20 tap to the next level with a complete design overhaul. The latest development is rumoured to incorporate a futuristic new control system along with a more stylish look and feel that is set to revolutionise tap design.

Thomas Automatics will be showcasing their model 1006 & 3004 change machines and a range of banknote and coin counters from CT Coin. The 1006 is a wall mounted banknote changer and provides an affordable, reliable solution where note change is required. The 3004 is a free standing banknote and coin changer which provides a simple, reliable solution where high volumes of banknote and coin change is required.

All you need for crisps and snacks from one great supplier. Golden Wonder, resurgent over the past year, is continuing to grow through its comprehensive offering of Crisps and Snacks and has everything you need to satisfy your consumers’ requirements all under one roof.

Siemens Financial Services understands the needs of businesses in a way few others can, which is why 90 of the current FTSE 100 companies and more than 50% of NHS trusts and local authorities have entrusted us to arrange financing for them. In the vending sector, our approach to building long-term service oriented relationships is well recognised through the NIVO Service Supplier of the Year accolade, which we received for the second year in succession.

Rheavendors will be displaying its range of Espresso based B2C and instant dispensers including the much acclaimed Grande range at this year’s AVEX. The company will also be unveiling its Spaqa iQ intelligent water dispenser for the first time in the UK.

To celebrate AVEX, Seaga UK Ltd is offering major discounts on its unique vending machine range throughout June 2011. Seaga UK’s red hot offers cover its full range of flexible machines that are suitable for any type of location including its innovative Office Deli Automatic Refreshment Centre. The Office Deli is a sleek, modern refreshment centre ideal for high-end locations like the work place and office environment.

N&W will be taking a substantial team to AVEX 2011 as the company prepares to demonstrate that espresso from its vending machines is every bit as good as the celebrated High Street equivalent. The Necta Canto, brimful of leading edge Italian espresso ingenuity, will be the star of the show; ably supported by the company’s new tabletop bean-to-cup arrivals, the Krea, Solista and 7300 – plus the 7100 Touch.

MEI, one of the global leaders in providing payment solutions to the vending industry, will use this year’s AVEX to present its new range of products that were designed with an objective of increasing operator profitability. In addition to the new coin manager CashFlow 8000, which is packed with features that will help increase efficiency of Vending operations, MEI’s stand will feature Vending Audit Module (VAM) and the new cashless range CashFlow mei-pay.

Mars is home of some of the world's favourite brands: chocolate classics like Mars, Snickers, M&M's and Maltesers. For every one of our brands we are committed to offering great tasting products that give pleasure. We do this by using high quality ingredients and by employing the highest standards of quality control.

Thanks to the AVA and members of Cover Group’s kind sponsorship Macmillan will be at this year’s AVEX show. The charity looks forward to welcoming AVA members and visitors onto the stand to enjoy a coffee, discuss how to support Macmillan, register for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 2011 or take away information on Macmillan’s services.

The Kenco Coffee Company will be at AVEX with its full range of great tasting sustainably farmed coffee . All of the beans sourced for Kenco freeze dried coffee and Kenco core roast and ground range come from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Spanish vending machine manufacturer Jofemar, will present its vision of the automated restaurant using a systematised combination of vending machines, merchandisers and microwave ovens. Visitors to the AVEX exhibition will be able to see this futuristic concept on the Company’s stand, B10.

Cummins-Allison has been the leading supplier of cash handling solutions to the Vending Industry for over 20 years. We have provided fast, efficient and accurate time saving means of processing vending revenue. From our M6400 and M4200 Jetsort coinsorters, sorting at 6000 and 3000 coins per minute respectively, to our most recent M1000, which sorts and batches ‘ready for banking’ for the smaller application, our comprehensive range of cash-processing equipment has enhanced many vending operations nationwide.

At around £11bn, the soft drinks market offers attractive margins for the wholesale and vending companies. A resurgence in school vending machines is boosting the marketplace, offering a new range of healthy soft drink options for students. Calypso has seen growth all over the UK for its juice based drinks and Fairtrade range of bottles (250ml and 500ml). Soft drinks also fare quite well in recession, especially those which offer real value for money, like Calypso products.

“Stylish & Affordable” is the by-word for the new Alpha 1 range of POU- and Bottled Coolers which will be on show at AVEX. The Alpha 1 comes in an all silver livery with a sleek and modern design. The floor standing unit has two integrated Cup Holders and the lower front panel opens with a hinged door to place a POU Filter, to add an Overflow Kit or SIP Automatic Ozone Sanitisation.

AVEX is here. It’s been a two year wait but AVEX is back at the NEC on Wed 15 and Thurs 16 June. With over 120 exhibitors it promises to be a tremendous event, jam packed with all that is new and different in vending and water. This time the scope of the exhibition and the range of exhibitors is wider than ever.

Markets for sustainable products have expanded significantly over the last five years, growing much faster than those for conventional products, according to the State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) Review 2010, published in November last year. The report revealed that sales of certified sustainable coffee have more than quadrupled over the past five years; sustainable tea production by more than fifty times over the same period and sustainable cocoa sales, by 248%.

Plans for the new 5p and 10p coins were announced last year. Instead of using the current cupronickel alloy, the new coins will use steel with a nickel coating and be magnetic for the first time. Although there will not appear to be a lot of difference, there will be an increase in thickness with the new coins measuring 1.9mm, rather than 1.7mm.

Packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki supported the first-ever UK Coffee Week (4th - 10th April 2011). John Young, the company's UK Foodservice Sales & Marketing Director commented: “We’ve been delighted to be involved with UK Coffee Week, a great event aimed at helping an extremely worthy cause!  As one of the world’s leading packaging manufacturers, we play a key role within the coffee industry and continue to develop innovative concepts which add to the vibrancy of the industry.”

Nestlé Fawdon has announced the development of a butterfly meadow, set in its factory grounds, designed to encourage indigenous wildlife back to the area. The butterfly sanctuary, situated at Nestlé’s Newcastle site, was created with the assistance of its employees and their families.

Visiting AVEX? Make sure you pop along and see AVA on stand D46! You can meet the team, technical committee, and find out more about the Association. There’ll also be a great offer for anyone taking out membership whilst at the exhibition – yes, we’re waiving the joining fee! We think you’ll agree that this is a fantastic deal, so for those of you who’ve recommended the Association to others, make sure you tell them about the show exclusive and encourage them to visit the show!

Mars Drinks UK has rewarded cup supplier RPC Tedeco-Gizeh UK with a ‘Golden Supplier Award’ for business achievement in 2010. The award recognises the professional approach taken by RPC Tedeco-Gizeh, towards meeting the needs of its customer, Mars Drinks UK.

illy issimo, the ready-to-drink coffee-based beverage developed by a collaboration between illycaffè and The Coca-Cola Company, launched into the UK at the recent Caffè Culture event at London Olympia. The chilled coffee range is all-natural and made with illy’s unique 100% Arabica coffee blend and no added preservatives, artificial colours, aromas or flavours.

Following detailed negotiations and consultation with its membership; Associated Vending Services Ltd (AVS), the UK’s leading vending operators consortia, has awarded a two year extension to the sole supply contract for plastic vending cups to RPC Tedeco-Gizeh, the principal supplier of plastic vending and drinking cups to the UK and European markets.

International Paper Foodservice Europe Ltd. has announced that Patricia Ashton, (29), has been promoted to the role of Customer Service Executive less than 12 months after joining the company as a member of its Customer Service Administration team.

EurOps, the European Conference for Operators, organised by the EVA, took place on the 14 and 15 April, in Estoril, Portugal and enjoyed a high turnout with 110 participants, representing all segments of the industry. Around 60% of those attending were operators, 32% were suppliers (ingredient suppliers, machine manufacturers, payment system manufacturers, etc).

Rexam, one of the world’s largest beverage can makers, has won an award for Quality Design at the Italian Oscar dell'Imballaggio 2011 (an annual national contest promoted by the Italian Institute of Packaging in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Design).