Wholesale and Commercial Coffee Machines for Outdoor Advertising Brand.
About
Date
17 Mar 2025
How an Outdoor Advertising Brand Transformed its Office Snacks Procurement with Connect Vending
A global leader in outdoor advertising demonstrates as much dedication to its people as it does to its craft. At their UK sites, they provide complimentary office snacks, drinks, and premium office coffee to enhance employee benefits, wellbeing and satisfaction.
Already a trusted partner, Connect Vending supply eight Franke commercial coffee machines under a DIY contract. While the company's in-house facilities team manages the business coffee machines’ cleaning and replenishment, Connect Vending ensures a steady supply of ethically sourced Change Please coffee beans, sugar sticks, and stirrers. With a shared commitment to quality and simplicity, this partnership was the foundation for solving the client's broader procurement challenges.
The Challenge
As the outdoor advertising company’s operations evolved, their fragmented procurement process for office snacks and beverages became increasingly onerous. Their office milk delivery came from a local dairy, cereals from a supermarket, and office snacks from a wholesale supplier—a time-consuming setup that created inefficiencies and logistical challenges.
Key issues included:
- Unpredictable stock and pricing made it difficult to manage budgets effectively.
- Ad-hoc credit card payments disrupted cash flow management.
- Difficulty managing stock often led to last-minute office milk runs to the local shop, resulting in disruption and frustration.
These inefficiencies grew alongside their demands, putting unnecessary pressure on their facilities manager and wider team. It was clear they needed a simpler, more streamlined solution for bulk office snacks and office supplies.
The Solution
Hayley, Wholesale Manager at Connect Vending, worked closely with the business’s facilities manager to create a tailored approach that addressed these challenges head-on.
1. Consolidated Supply Chain
Connect Vending became the company’s single supplier for all office food and beverage needs, streamlining the procurement process and eliminating the need for multiple vendors. In addition to coffee vending machine supplies, Connect Vending now delivers:
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- Fresh office milk and yoghurts.
- Breakfast cereals
- Office snacks and drinks from popular brands like Cadbury, Walkers, and Coca-Cola.
2. Account Management and Budget Support
Regular account management meetings were introduced to ensure that the service remained aligned with evolving business needs. Key benefits included:
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- Detailed spending reports to simplify budget planning.
- Predictable pricing fixed for six months, helping improve cash flow stability.
- A shift to monthly invoicing, reducing the reliance on ad-hoc payments.
3. Convenience and Reliability
By consolidating all orders through Connect Vending, the business reduced the workload for their facilities team. The partnership also included:
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- Scheduled deliveries to ensure consistent stock levels.
- Flexible ordering to accommodate changing requirements.
The Results
After a year of collaboration, the client experienced significant improvements:
- Streamlined Operations: A single supplier replaced three, saving time and reducing complexity.
- Improved Budget Management: Monthly invoicing and fixed pricing enhanced financial predictability and stability.
- Increased Employee Satisfaction: Reliable availability of free office snacks, drinks, and premium office coffee maintained a valued employee perk.
- Reduced Effort: Iwona and her team saved time and resources, allowing them to focus on higher-priority tasks.
Conclusion
Through a tailored and customer-focused approach, Connect Vending proved to be an invaluable partner for the client. This partnership highlights the tangible benefits of simplifying supply chains and prioritising convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
With ongoing support from their customer relationship manager, Talytha Coutts, and Wholesale Manager Hayley Kirkby, our client continues to refine and optimise their office snacks and coffee, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of their workforce and continues to foster staff health and wellbeing for years to come.