By Andrew Barrow
Hello again
This is the second time I’ve taken my place on the Planet Vending soapbox and once again, I find myself responding to a question that was put to me recently. Last time, it was ‘what makes Evoca stand out from the rest?’ That was an easy one to deal with but in this article, I’d like address the (false) impression that some in the marketplace have accepted as Gospel: namely that vending is no longer important to us as a company.
I get it. Since we acquired the Gaggia Milano brand, we’ve put a lot of effort into promoting how the range of Gaggia machines, both ‘traditional’ and ‘automatic’, can add quality, style and substance to any coffee outlet. The casual observer may take this as an indication of our forward direction and conclude that we’ll be concentrating one-hundred percent on coffee machines and in so doing, we’re turning our back on our stock in trade – vending machines.
No, we’re not. In fact, it’s impossible to over-state the importance of vending to Evoca.
There’s no doubt that the coffee sector is very important to us – our extensive range of bean to cup machines is testimony to that. However, our history lies in vending and our reputation as a global business was built on vending. Vending remains a strategically important part of our business and frankly, I can’t see that changing any time soon.
Let’s take stock.
Necta’s Barista 1000 Touch (formerly Maestro Touch), is a winner, thanks to its cutting-edge performance and its customisation possibilities. This means that consumers can create their personal drinks. What’s perhaps more, these days, is that those consumers can also consult nutritional information, so they can identify which product best suits their needs.
Barista 1000 Touch is also equipped with latest generation microprocessor and advanced software, which means easier machine management and programming.
From the same stable, there’s Barista 600 (formerly Opera), which was re-introduced in 2024 and marries the best in electronic technology with the optimum mechanical layout. The result of this combination is maximum simplicity of management and a sector-leading user experience. With Barista 600 Touch, for example, everything revolves around its extraordinary 13.3” full HD screen, which dramatically widens the drinks menu you can offer, including tea and – vital to the UK market – soup. However, we’re not resting on our laurels! In fact, we’re about to launch three additional models to complete the range. Expect a touchscreen version which uses fresh beans, plus two direct selection machines, one that uses fresh beans and another that delivers instant coffee.
Make no mistake: these are state-of-the-art pieces of kit.
Did you know that Necta is the market leader in Impulse machines? From the small footprint Necta Gusto 6M (formerly Vivace), through to the top-end Gusto 8P (formerly Orchestra Touch), we offer operators a truly comprehensive range of snack and impulse vending machines.
The all-embracing nature of the range enables operators not only to retail snacks and refreshments, but also to offer all manner of other items, from PPE to books to stationery to toiletries. Frankly whatever you can think of that fits in the spirals. Next year, we’ll up our game with the introduction of a 10-spiral machine.
All of which – I hope! – is continuing proof of Evoca’s commitment to retaining our status as (perhaps) the leading force in vending, as well as coffee.
So, if you think Evoca has moved away from vending, think again. Not only are we ‘in’ vending, we’re ‘in it to win it.’
Rant over!
I’ll be back with another article soon, in which I’ll be turning the spotlight on the importance of Coffee in the workplace
Until next time…
Andrew Barrow is Sales Director, Evoca UK.
For more from – and about – Andrew Barrow, click here
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