Victory over vending machine vandalism
By Judy Rice,
Managing Editor, Beverageonline.com
A vending machine security system has helped both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo nix vandalism, even in high-risk locations. "VendProtect" is an electronic two-way cellular voice security system provided on a national basis by Pilot Wireless Technologies (Los Angeles, CA). It combines patented wireless technology with proprietary audio/two-way voice alarm panel-to-cellular interface technology. Within seconds of an attempted intrusion, a live voice comes onto the site via speakerphone to warn against further tampering.
The high-tech "sentinel" has been successfully used to stymie vending machine damage and coffer thefts at schools, hotels, motels, convenience stores, and military bases.
Pepsi prevails
Pepsi Bottling Group (Riverside, CA) has been using VendProtect for about a year and a half to protect vending machines placed in schools in the Riverside and San Bernadino County areas. Prior to implementing the security system, vending machine vandalism had been an "out-of-control" problem with some of these installations. In fact, Pepsi had to completely remove some its vending machines from a number of school campuses.
"Since installation of the first Pilot Security System in 1998, Pepsi Bottling Group of Riverside has seen a complete decrease in vandalism attempts on Pepsi-Cola vending equipment on school campuses, " reports Alex Orr, key accounts manager for Pepsi Bottling. "This has allowed Pepsi-Cola vending equipment to remain operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in high-risk areas where we would not normally be able to do business."
Orr points out that investment in the technology makes good economic sense because the cost to repair or replace a seriously vandalized vending machine one time is roughly the same as the cost to install the security system, which protects the machine against multiple attempted assaults.
Coke conquers
Between 1998 and 1999, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (Charlotte, NC) suffered the destruction of approximately 50 vending machines in the Fort Bragg area. As a result, sales were down about 11,000 cases.
David Myers, director of risk management for Coca-Cola Consolidated, noted, "In 1999, we installed the VendProtect System at two important full-service accounts in our Charlotte and Fort Bragg, NC markets. The system has eliminated the theft and the necessity of changing locks. It has the potential to save Consolidated thousands of dollars on an annual basis in lock replacements hardware alone. The reduction in service calls also has a significant impact on our financials and customer service relations."
Coke is planning to extend use of VendProtect to other vending machine installations and other market areas, including Nashville, TN.
For details about installation and operation of VendProtect: John McIntyre, vice president, Pilot Wireless Technologies. Tel: 877-658-8634; Fax: 323-782-0366.