Founder of Becktech and UK vending industry pioneer, Tom Beckett has passed away aged 95. Tom's career in vending spanned eight decades, during which time he was responsible for the development of the first hot beverage machines to offer tea, coffee and hot chocolate and the development of the first four-coin electronic coin validator.
Working for Mars he was appointed to establish the specific refreshment vending operating company, Vendepac, which would become one of the industry's major national operators of its day.
The AVA recognised Tom's lifetime contribution to vending in 1997, awarding him one of the first (and only) Achievement Awards at a ceremony held in Manchester during AVEX.
Tom also had a distinguished war career, flying Tiger Moths, Oxfords, Ansons, Wellingtons and Liberators and serving with 614 Pathfinder Squadron in Southern Italy as part of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
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