RSL seals novel vending contract with Phoenix

Bradford based Refreshment Systems (RSL) has been awarded a five-year contract to operate vending services for leading healthcare group Phoenix. The national deal, described by RSL as 'substantial', was made possible by RSL's membership of Cover Group. Fellow members will sub-contract to cover the stocking and maintenance of vending machines located in Phoenix outposts in those places, such as Aberdeenshire and Devon, that are beyond RSL's regional stronghold. Phoenix came to market seeking a single vending partner as a consequence of recent expansion, which saw them inherit a variety of vending services operated by a range of suppliers. Phoenix's will be the first national, 'operated' – as opposed to 'Do-It-Yourself' account – that a Cover Group member has been appointed to serve; but it is not expected to be the last. "This is a perfect example of the co-operation we envisaged when we became founder members of Cover Group," said RSL managing director Alistair Balmforth. "There are other companies in the UK, like mine, that are owner-operated and are committed to personal customer service. We share the same standards and it's rewarding to be able to trump to the offer of the national operators by presenting the availability of high quality personal, local service on a national basis." Similarly, Roger Williams, of Cover Group, is encouraged by the award of the contract: "There is great strength to be achieved when resources are pooled. This contract is vindication, if any were needed, that 'the little guys' can compete with the Big Boys on every level and I hope very much that this is the first of many such contracts within which our members can demonstrate their professionalism and their nationwide consistency." Refreshment Systems, which formerly traded under the three divisional names of Northern Vending Services, Drincup and Cappresso Coffee, was established in 1967. It claims to be the largest independent beverage specialist in the north of England, with branches in Manchester and Nottingham.