A Success Story in Growth and Innovation
East Midlands Vending, founded in Nottingham in April 2021, has achieved remarkable growth in just over three years. With an expanding customer base, they now operate nine micro markets & over 200 vending machines daily. With a dedicated team of 16 employees and a continued focus on expansion, East Midlands Vending has earned a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and operational efficiency. From the outset, they adopted a 100% cashless model and quickly realised the importance of a robust vending management system to support their ambitious growth.
How East Midlands Vending Ltd adopted Vendmanager
From day one, the team at East Midlands Vending has been committed to operational excellence. As Sales Director Rak Ladva recalls, “We wanted to adopt the best technology to make our vision a reality.” Initially relying on manual spreadsheets, the team quickly realised a fresh approach was needed for sustainable business growth.
Recognising the need for automation, the team conducted a thorough evaluation of available vending management systems. After consulting with industry peers, the team unanimously chose a solution that best aligned with their needs. “The Vendmanager system went from being a ‘maybe’ to an obvious ‘yes,’” Rak shared.
"The system was a game-changer for us, allowing tasks that previously took days to be completed in just minutes without manual errors."
East Midlands Vending worked closely with SB Software throughout the implementation process, from system setup and training to live deployment. Their Technical Account Manager (TAM), James Nield-Smith, played a critical role in ensuring a smooth transition, while ongoing support continues to drive their success.
How Vendmanager drives efficiency and solves challenges
Vendmanager has become integral to East Midlands Vending’s operations, addressing key challenges and enabling the team to grow rapidly without compromising quality.
Streamlined Operations:
Vendmanager automates route planning, inventory management, and service schedules, significantly reducing administrative workload. Operators receive optimised daily schedules with detailed service instructions via the Vendmanager app.
Enhanced Accuracy with Datakey:
The Datakey tool ensures precise sales data collection, automatic price updates, and error-free reconciliation. This innovation allows for instant electronic price label updates, saving time and improving efficiency.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
The Vendmanager dashboard provides real-time insights into machine performance, enabling the team to make informed decisions about planograms, routes, and stock levels.
Collaboration with SB Software
East Midlands Vending values its partnership with SB Software as a key driver of success. Beyond the technology, the collaboration extends to strategic planning and continuous improvement.
Working with SB Software is about more than just improving how we operate today, it’s about building a platform that supports us as we grow into the future. – Rak Ladva, Sales Director
Dedicated Support From day one, SB Software provided hands-on support, including tailored training and ongoing technical assistance. The team has built close relationships with the SB Software support staff, with the confidence to call on them at any time.
Functional Priority List With the guidance of their TAM, East Midlands Vending has implemented 80% of Vendmanager’s capabilities and continues to explore new features that align with their growth strategy.
Future-Ready Tools East Midlands Vending was one of the first companies to preview Vendmanager’s next-generation dashboards, which promise enhanced mobile capabilities and data insights.
The road ahead
Looking to the future, East Midlands Vending remains committed to growth and innovation. Their plans include:
- Expanding their portfolio with Micro Markets and new innovations to provide
modern solutions for customers.
- Further automating planogram updates and inventory management processes.
- Leveraging Vendmanager’s next-generation tools to enhance mobile operations.
Beyond the technical advantages, Vendmanager has reshaped how the East Midlands Vending team approaches their work. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining operations, the platform has allowed employees to focus on high-impact activities that drive growth. Team members are no longer burdened by manual processes and can instead dedicate their energy to customer service, strategic planning, and business development.
With their forward-thinking approach, East Midlands Vending is set to continue thriving, serving as an exemplary model of how embracing innovation can enhance both business performance and workplace culture.
“Vendmanager hasn’t just made us more efficient; it’s empowered us to think bigger, act smarter, and grow faster – together as a team.” — Nicola Hill, Managing Director