Nutrivend isn’t your typical vending business. From day one, the Pontyclun-based company had a bold vision: become the UK’s leading specialist in sports nutrition vending. Today, they’re achieving that—with national coverage, a fast-growing footprint, and a relentless focus on data, service, and results.
Helping to drive that success is Vendmanager. From pre-picking to performance tracking, the system is woven into every part of Nutrivend’s operation. It supports decision-making, speeds up service, and helps the team do more — faster and smarter.
“I couldn’t imagine a vending business without Vendmanager,” says Scott Morgan, Nutrivend’s founder and Managing Director. “I certainly cannot think of running this business any other way.”
Built on data. Driven by results.
Scott, a former professional rugby player, has brought a competitive edge to vending. “Go hard, go early, go fast, go big,” he says — half-joking, half-mantra.
That philosophy shows up in everything Nutrivend does. Their decision to go national came when they had just three machines. Their warehouse uses visit-on-demand across the board. And their investment in systems like Vendmanager began before growth made it necessary.
Scott’s method? Use data, take the decision, review results, and adapt.
“It was necessary,” he says. “It made sense. And it’s proven right — for us, our clients, and our offering.”
National scale needs national systems
Unlike most vending operators, Nutrivend didn’t grow city by city. Their niche — premium sports nutrition for gyms and health clubs — required national reach from the start.
That footprint meant more routes, more complexity, and a higher demand for efficiency. Vendmanager helps Nutrivend stay on top of it all. “It defines our way of working,” Scott explains. “Visit-on-demand is our standard, not an upgrade. And Vendmanager supports that every day.”
From mobile pre-pick to real-time reporting, Vendmanager enables scale without sacrificing control. Route planning is visualised on large interactive displays. KPIs are tracked to the hour. And key decisions—like compressing workweeks in London — are backed by live data.
“With Vendmanager,” Scott says, “you can see what needs to be actioned, and our guys know where to go next.”
Streamlined warehouse. Smarter service.
Step inside Nutrivend’s warehouse, and the system’s impact is immediately visible. The bright, high-racked space is buzzing with activity, but it’s all under control.
Operators pick based on Vendmanager’s Warehouse App. Each task is guided by pre-built routes, machine-level stock data, and real-time tracking. Everything is logged. Everything is traceable.
“It maps the warehouse and the stock,” one picker explains. “It’s clear, quick, and easy.”
The goal? Less waste. Fewer returns. And faster delivery. And it’s working. Nutrivend recently recorded its best three months ever — beating pre-pandemic highs.
The tech that helps teams do more
Inside the office, tech is everywhere. A massive touchscreen maps out the UK, showing machine locations, driver schedules, and service priorities. But it’s not just for show — it’s a daily tool.
Scott uses it to demonstrate how Vendmanager supports route planning, real-time stock views, and instant reporting. “Technology should generate profit,” he says. “It’s a benefit, not a cost.”
That mindset is shared across the business. From pickers to planners, everyone uses Vendmanager to stay aligned. Issues are spotted early. Stock is used efficiently. And performance is always measured.
“Vendmanager takes uncertainty away,” Scott says. “It gives us a way to work things out and prioritise.”
Leadership rooted in sport — and structure
Scott’s background in elite rugby has shaped how he runs Nutrivend. “In professional sports, you work to a system—a weekly pattern. Vendmanager does the same for us,” he says.
That system creates rhythm: pre-picking kicks off at 2pm daily. Calls are prioritised based on Vendmanager data. VoDs guide daily operations. And KPIs—like vends per visit—keep teams focused.
“There’s a link between sports and business,” Scott says. “Measure, monitor, manage. Stats and understanding. Data and interpretation. You need both.”
Investing in what matters
Nutrivend’s rise hasn’t been easy. When the pandemic hit, their customer base — mostly gyms — shut down overnight. Business dropped to zero for seven months.
But instead of retreating, Scott made a bold move: consolidate multiple sites into one large, centralised warehouse. It was a risk. But it paid off.
“Now we’re stronger than before,” he says. “Vendmanager gave us the visibility to make that call — and the structure to follow through.”
Stronger together: the SBS relationship
Scott’s partnership with SB Software isn’t just about product — it’s about shared goals. His visits with Client Success Manager Dan Varney reflect deep collaboration, focused on finding better ways to work.
Whether it’s exploring KPIs, refining routes, or tweaking warehouse flows, their conversations centre on outcomes.
“Dan and I talk vending, full stop,” Scott laughs. “We’re aligned. It helps.”
And that alignment extends to the system itself. Vendmanager doesn’t just sit on top of Nutrivend—it’s integrated throughout. From payment systems to VoD, it supports every part of the operation.
Always improving. Always adapting.
At Nutrivend, the work’s never finished. Scott and his team see every success as a step toward the next improvement.
“You need to take full advantage of what you can do today — and know that you’ll be doing better tomorrow,” Scott says.
Vendmanager is a key part of that mindset. It supports the team’s drive for constant improvement, enabling faster pivots, smarter decisions, and stronger service.
As Scott puts it, “There’s no standing still. Vending will always be changing. So you adapt. And take advantage.”
Fast facts:
- Nutrivend runs entirely on visit-on-demand routes powered by Vendmanager.
- The warehouse uses mobile apps for pre-picking and real-time tracking.
- National coverage was part of the strategy from the start—enabled by smart systems.
- Vendmanager supports route planning, KPI tracking, stock control, and service improvement in one integrated platform.
Cantaloupe CMO Elyssa Steiner gets firsthand experience into a UK vending operation with a visit to Refreshment Systems, LTD. (RSL). She describes how they’re leveraging technology, empowering their team, and creating efficiencies that are both practical and forward-thinking.
What happens when a vending operator fully commits to doing things right—from the car park to the back office? Bettavend’s journey with Vendmanager shows how clarity, collaboration, and data-driven decisions can lead to smarter operations and stronger results.
Explore how technology can tackle key challenges for European vending operators, including enhancing operational efficiency and overall customer experience.