16-10-2003 - Go-ahead Group changes name to signal growth
One of the most active new players in the UK and European
vending market, Benchmark Vending, has changed its name as a sign of
its intention to build the brand and acquire other regional businesses.
The Benchmark Vending Group is now known as "Vendia", and each regional
operator within the group will keep its current identity but with the new tag
of "a Vendia company."
Chief Executive Mike Potts explains: "The name change is a sign of our ambitious
growth plans. We want to become a very well recognised and highly-regarded
refreshment vending brand, in the UK and Europe. Increasingly, we aim to combine
the best of both worlds: a nationwide operation, offering efficiency and high
standards, plus the familiarity of local operators and engineers who take a
pride in their job and who offer what we call "vending with personality".
Already within the Group are five former independent, vending businesses, bought
by Vendia since 1999 - Simply Drinks, Drinkmaster, Integer, VMI and JVH Benchmark.
There are also two French operators, Sofradis and Daco.
In its three years of operation, Vendia has built more than 10,000 customers
in offices, manufacturing sites, leisure venues, schools and colleges, retailers,
hospitals and catering suppliers. There are plans to expand, through further
acquisition, improving the geographical reach of the business in both the UK
and mainland Europe.
In scale terms, with revenue of about €45m, the company spans the gap between
the market's major, big players and the numerous small, local players. Says
Mike: "We plan to grow through building our business organically and by acquiring
more, excellent regional operators to build a nationwide UK presence as well
as to build our presence in France and elsewhere on the Continent".
"What we do best is service. We recognise that customers have bigger things to
worry about than the office drinks or snacks machine. So we sit down with our
customers to understand their needs and then recommend the most suitable machine,
ingredients and service package for them. This personal touch is being very well
received and building us strong customer loyalty."
Vendia's vending machines sell a wide variety of drinks and snacks, including
their own Van de Roma brand. Among the range are also ethically-traded products,
bean-to-cup machine options and various tabletop machines.
Vendia UK Ltd is one of the largest beverage and snack vending companies in the UK. It is part of the international Vendia Group which is based in Holland and also has vending operations in France.
Vendia’s unique strength is its network of strong local operating companies and management teams, who leverage their regional knowledge and experience to deliver better products and services, whatever the required vending package. Vendia companies have particularly strong knowledge and experience in five market sectors: Leisure, Business, Education, Public Service and Retail.
The company is based at:
17 Rufus Business Centre
Ravensbury Terrace
London
SW18 4RL
United Kingdom
T : +44 (0) 20 8879 8354
F : +44 (0) 870 762 8985
www.vendia-group.com
info@vendia-group.com