At SV24-7, efficiency isn’t just about keeping vending machines stocked — it’s about improving service, growing the business, and putting technology hard to work. From their Alloa headquarters, SV24-7 has built a reputation for high standards, smart systems, and a deep commitment to people — clients, staff, and end users alike.
We spent a day with the team to understand how Vendmanager supports them across every role — from the office to the road, and all the way to their celebrated service engineer, Craig Mitchell.
A local leader with global standards
SV24-7 serves a huge part of Scotland from a perfectly placed location in Alloa. The company’s growth has been purposeful, powered by customer demand, fresh food, and a clear plan. Their facilities are designed with function in mind—from refrigerated out-of-hours access for drivers to a well-equipped training room for client visits.
With the Guardian recently profiling SV24-7’s embrace of vending innovation, our visit was a chance to go behind the scenes and see how they’re putting technology into practice — with Vendmanager at the heart of it all.
“My day starts and ends with Vendmanager”
Jaqui Martin, Operations Controller, puts it plainly: “Vendmanager is more than a computer system, it is the heart of our business.” From stock to food waste to service reporting, her day revolves around the system. And it’s not just Jaqui. The whole team — from merchandisers to directors — uses Vendmanager every day to make smarter decisions, faster.
Reports are accurate and easy to use. Data validation keeps everything clean. And the ability to pull custom or ad hoc reports helps SV24-7 stay agile and proactive.
For Jaqui, the food waste report is a standout — improving ordering, surfacing trends, and reducing unnecessary costs. “Sending tuna sandwiches to a fish factory might seem like a bad idea — but Vendmanager shows exactly how bad, in lost sales and waste.”
Real-world results from real-time data
Every part of the business benefits from Vendmanager’s structure and accuracy. The team use Datakey, the plug-and-play telemetry tool, to gather and sync machine data quickly. It’s a favourite for both seasoned merchandisers like Alan Whyte and newer team members like Lee Money.
“Datakey is simple, fast, reliable and speeds things up,” they agree. “It’s easy to use and useful. What more is there to say?”
Vendmanager also keeps SV24-7 aligned internally. Engineers, operators, and office staff access the same system, with clear visibility of who’s done what, where, and why. Supervisor tools allow calls and routes to be reassigned in real time. Reporting feeds into billing and planning. The entire operation is joined up and on point.
Award-winning service starts here
Craig Mitchell, SV24-7’s Service Engineer, won the UK Vendies award for Best Service Engineer—and it’s easy to see why. He’s detailed, technical, and focused on performance. He uses Vendmanager daily to diagnose faults, manage stock, and keep machines running smoothly.
“The acid test is what would happen if we ever switched it off,” he says. “Then the shit would really hit the fan.”
Together with SB Software’s Phil McGhee, Craig works on tailoring Vendmanager even further — sharing insight, testing new features, and helping define what comes next.
A tech-first approach to growth
SV24-7 isn’t just using technology — they’re investing in it. Fiona and Ian Chambers, co-founders and directors, have made strategic use of Scottish government funding to upgrade their full estate to contactless payments. And they’ve embraced telemetry, planograms, and micro market capabilities through Vendmanager.
“The question became: why not do every machine?” Ian says. “And the benefits have paid for themselves many times over.”
For SV24-7, technology enables better service, sharper operations, and faster adaptation to market changes. It’s a tool — not a goal — used to support people and performance.
More fresh food, more service, more value
The market is changing — and SV24-7 is changing with it. Fresh food demand is rising. Employers want better environments for their teams. And SV24-7 is positioned to deliver.
Their expansion includes hot food, bean-to-cup coffee, and micro markets. Data from Vendmanager helps them monitor every product, location, and client. It supports smarter stocking, clearer reporting, and stronger relationships.
Their client base is broad — education, healthcare, transport, and manufacturing. They even serve NHS Lothian, the UK’s second-largest NHS authority. And at every site, Vendmanager helps them deliver visibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
Grounded values, elevated expectations
Fiona and Ian are clear about what SV24-7 stands for: pride, professionalism, and expertise. But more than that — it’s about putting clients and end users first.
“People buy from people. It’s 100% about trust,” Fiona says. “And that means looking after our own people, too.”
They’re the first vending company in Scotland to pay the Real Living Wage. During Covid, they retained their full team. Now, they’re growing again — adding more operators and even considering expanding their facilities.
Hiring criteria? “They should be people we’d want to have over for dinner.”
Every detail designed for success
SV24-7’s Alloa offices reflect their brand values—clean, professional, and built around their team. From well-planned logistics to training rooms and local landmark photography, the message is clear: they’re proud of who they are and where they work.
And they’re always looking for what’s next. With SB Software’s support, SV24-7 continues to explore new features, better data use, and more ways to integrate technology across the business. From service calls to sales to route planning, Vendmanager is a constant.
A decade in, still moving forward
SV24-7 celebrated their 10th anniversary with a special graphic. At the bottom? Not just Fiona and Ian—but also their dogs, Coco and Poppy, known in-house as the company’s “fur babies.”
It’s a fitting symbol of their approach: professional, personal, and full of character.
SV24-7 isn’t just putting technology to work — they’re using it to support growth, serve their community, and keep raising the bar. With Vendmanager by their side, they’re already building the next ten years.
Fast Facts
- SV24-7 uses Vendmanager across their entire estate, with full contactless and telemetry integration.
- Food waste reporting has helped cut costs, improve ordering, and reduce loss.
- Real-time data helps merchandisers and service engineers work smarter and faster.
- The company retained its full staff through Covid and continues to invest in growth, people, and innovation.
