Hearing you loud and clear!

Time was when most people wanted nothing more than a basic vendor that sold drinks that were hot and didn't steal your money. Today's vending technology has come a long way. Machines now have a host of innovations including the new temperature control systems, user-friendly software, enhanced MDB management, and cashless systems to complement it all. So, we've got everything thing we need, the technology, research and development, and we can rest on our laurels? How far from the truth that really is, as Carl Bjorkstrand, managing director of N&W explains: "For us listening is the most important part of our business, and whether that's to a distributor, an ingredients supplier or the end user we take it all in. "Having spoken to many people in day-to-day business life and at trade shows, it seems to me that there is a real desire to provide ethically traded products. Customers want to be able to buy a machine that has the opportunity to be branded with their preferred choice of ingredients, whether that's Café Direct, Fairtrade Foundation or Rainforest Alliance. And that's exactly what we've done." N&W have a service to provide customers with the complete range of equipment with the option of providing bespoke graphics to promote ethically traded products. Whether a customers allegiance lies with ethical organisations such as UK based Fairtrade Foundation, or the lesser-known New York-based international conservation organisation Rainforest Alliance, we know that our customers value the opportunity to remain ethical, environmentally sound and sustainable. Carl continued: "At N&W we are concerned about environmental impact and sustainability, without just paying lip service. We were the first leading vending machine manufacturer to achieve ISO 14001 way back in 1997. Our constant strive to be at the forefront of eco-friendly working practices was also recognised at AVEX when we were awarded the Best Sustainability Initiative Award. "Listening to consumer and industry demand to provide customers and distributors with the products they need to give them competitive edge, whilst recognising green ambitions, is key to opening doors and developing the sustainable operation of the future." Ethically traded is happening here and now, moulding the way we work, the way we live and being a part of that is ultimately satisfying.