Sponsored Editorial

Remember those water cooler moments in the office? A chance to catch up with friends and colleagues? Well as we return to the workplace, one company is ready to provide the all important equipment to ensure the road to normality is as smooth as possible.

Fairtrade Vending, in Medway, provides a complete 24/7 vending solution including fresh food vending, Bean to Cup hot beverages, snacks and cold drinks and wholesale supplies of drinks and snacks - and, of course, water coolers.

With more than 30 years of trading, customers include schools, universities, college, offices and NHS healthcare settings.

It makes bespoke recommendations of the best equipment based on each individual workplace's needs and offers a free site survey to get the ball rolling.

Based on the Medway City Estate, Fairtrade Vending recently unveiled an appointment-only showroom featuring a range of its machines - among them those harnessing new 'Air Touch' distance selection technology to cut down on touch points in the workplace.

They work by holding your finger 2cm away from the drink you're after rather than having to press a button.

It hopes the new technology, along with antimicrobial shields and contactless payments (that now make up 78% of all low value purchases), will reassure firms looking to introduce the machines to the workplace as people return to work.

One of the firm's key aims is to provide a safer user experience for both staff and visitors, and can even offer hand sanitisers branded with the customer's logo.

Managing director Mike Steel says: “We have been successfully awarded three big new vending contracts and several smaller orders, which in fact increased our turnover and profitability on the previous year, despite the challenges of Covid.

"Already this year, we are on track to grow again. These are very positive signs that the markets will recover quickly from the pandemic."

The new showroom is part of a major investment in the business which provides Fairtrade coffee in its machines - ensuring disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal.

The showroom is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm - but call first to make an appointment.

For more details, see its website FairtradeVending.co.uk or call 01634 726163