Planet Vending welcomes the return of Simon Willis to the world of vending – following a serious heart attack
Abbeychart’s Tom Mitchener reports:
Abbeychart, a market-leading supplier of vending and coffee spares, is pleased to announce the appointment of industry veteran, Simon Willis, as its new General Manager.
About Simon
Formally of N&W, Simon Willis was appointed by Abbeychart to guide and support the business and their ambitious growth plans over the next five years and beyond. The position, created specifically to manage all aspects of the business, from the 5,000 sq ft. warehouse to the day-to-day operations, is a vital and strategic step taken to ensure the longevity of Abbeychart and its core business offering.
‘I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Simon Willis as the new General Manager for Abbeychart. Simon comes to us with significant Industry experience having been the Managing Director of Crane Merchandising Systems, N&W Global Vending and Commercial Director for Autobar. Simon has also worked alongside Connect Vending in a consultancy capacity’. Simon will take full responsibility for the running of Abbeychart and has been brought into the business to work with the existing Abbeychart Team to take the business forward’. Mark Taylor – Managing Director, Abbeychart
The appointment of Simon comes following a busy year for Abbeychart. In the past six months alone the business has:
- Launched a brand new e-commerce website with a simple pricing structure – offering customers a 30% discount on selected products to ensure it remains competitive
- Launched its first product catalogue in over three years – http://ow.ly/JRmZf
- Undertaken a total warehouse re-organisation to improve the overall efficiency of the business
- Hired Tim Westmacott, a former Espresso Engineer brought-in to develop Abbeychart’s product offering in this growing market
- Partnered-up with chartered marketing agency, Studiowide, to help execute a comprehensive multi-channel marketing, content and communications strategy in-line with the business’s commercial objectives
Simon’s Decision to Join Abbeychart
As many people in the vending and coffee industry will know, Simon suffered a cardiac arrest two years ago whilst half way through a 100 mile charity bike-ride. Simon’s heart stopped for just under an hour and if it hadn’t been for his friend’s CPR training, he may not be here to tell the tale. Following almost a month spent in an induced coma, Simon awoke without any recollection of the event.
A couple of years later and with Simon working with his son at FMCV, he was tempted back into the world of coffee and vending when offered a ‘real job’ by Managing Director Mark Taylor.
‘The lure of the world of vending and coffee was just too great, so back in the game and off and running at Abbeychart. As a lot of you will know, no longer under private ownership but now part of the Diploma Group, Abbeychart is set for its next stage of growth. With markets across Europe and the USA, as well as the UK, we are all very excited about what’s next. One thing is for sure, we’re going to have some fun. The prospect of growing something with a great foundation with outstanding customer service as its bedrock is very exciting!’ – Simon Willis – General Manager, Abbeychart
So, what’s next for Abbeychart?
With Simon’s background in sales and marketing, Abbeychart is keen to transform its new website into an all singing, all dancing representation of its offline business. With a keen focus on delivering exceptional customer service at the forefront of everything they do, the plan is to promote the business, its staff and the best-in-class service it provides to ensure Abbeychart becomes the industry’s leading spares supplier over the next five years.
With the Abbeychart website home to just shy of 1,000 products and growing every week, the website’s main purpose is to provide existing and new customers an alternative purchasing option for their businesses. Built on Magento, an e-commerce platform focused on product first, content second, the Marketing team at Abbeychart are keen to make the site as much about its staff, customer service and technical support, as it is the total management of a business’s day-today purchasing.
Simon Launches New Blog on LinkedIn
As part of Abbeychart’s renewed focus on its people, best-in-class customer service and technical support, Simon has now launched his own blog on LinkedIn. Considered by many to be an industry thought-leader and with Simon’s blog focusing on all things Vending and Coffee, he plans to utilise the social network as means to continually engage and promote discussions between industry professionals at every level.
To view Simon’s blog, please follow: http://ow.ly/JOEwQ
With some exciting ideas in the pipeline already, it looks like it’s going to be another busy year for Abbeychart – watch this space!
