How to make it in the vending machine business

Opportunities | BY Staff Writer | October 10, 2011 at 07:27

Jason Delbridge, a 20-year-old South African, has been earning a regular passive income from vending machines for almost a decade. How we made it in Africa asked him about how to run a successful vending machine business.

Jason Delbridge started out with one bouncing ball machine at a local restaurant chain.

How did you first start out in the vending machine business?

In 2003 I was given a bouncing ball machine by my uncle. I was very keen on the idea of setting it up somewhere and approached the manager of a local Spur restaurant who agreed to try it out. I’m fortunate to still be operating there to this day.

I’ve always seen vending as profitable. When I started it was like a hobby, which resulted in pocket money. As time goes by and costs go up, you can do less with the money, but vending now covers my expenses.

Over the years Pro Vending has been supplying my machines and stock. They make vending a very simple process for operators and offer a great friendly service.

Where are your vending machines situated and what type of customers are you targeting?

As mentioned I started out at the Spur, which now operates two machines. I also have machines at other locations such as local cafés and 24-hour petrol stations. For the type of vending I’m involved in, kids are the target market.

How often do you have to top-up/service the machines?

Once every week to a month or two. Servicing depends on what you are vending and where the machine is placed. It’s important to keep the machines operating correctly and full of stock. When vending products for kids, servicing is more frequent during school holidays.

What is your advice to other entrepreneurs looking to start out in the vending machine business?

It can be profitable if done correctly. Secure your sites and ensure there will be sufficient customers that fall into your target market. Thereafter, good machine maintenance will result in a good return.

ABOUT PRO VENDING

Pro Vending specialises in machines aimed at children, dispensing a wide range of products, from gumballs to stickers. The company also holds the vending distribution rights in many parts of Africa for Tomy Vending, one of the world’s largest toy companies. Tomy gives Pro Vending’s customers access to products from brands such as Disney, FIFA, Hello Kitty, SpongeBob, Winnie the Pooh, Harry Potter and Pokemon, to name a few.

Roland Stoltzman, managing member of Pro Vending says all the company’s products are based around the interactive experience of a child.

Products that go into the vending machines include:

Toy capsules – in a number of styles, sizes and ranges; suitable for all markets
Bouncing balls – over 120 styles and sizes to choose from
Gumballs (bubble gums) and candy
Tattoos (girls, boys, licenced and generic) – following fashion trends and what is popular with children
Stickers (girls, boys, licenced and generic) – glow-in-the-dark stickers and much more
With so many options it is a one stop vending solution and shop

Pro Vending’s machines are fully mechanical and don’t need any electricity. All products come with a warranty and include back-up support if something goes wrong. Pro Vending is able to modify the coin slots for foreign currencies and tokens. Machine and product labelling is also available in French.

Pro Vending is offering How we made it in Africa readers a special introductory price on all its machines. The offer includes free foreign currency coin slot modification.