Vending International host the Vendies
Publishers of Vending International, Datateam Business Media, hosted the Vendies 2023 at the iconic Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London.
Exceptional contributions to vending recognised
The Vendies have a longstanding tradition of recognising and rewarding companies and individuals that have made exceptional contributions to the vending sector. The organisers of this year’s awards worked incredibly hard to ensure the event was the first certified carbon-neutral ceremony in its history.
20 award categories were judged by the panel of experts from across the vending industry:
Phillipa Atkinson-Clow, General Manager – Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA)
Erwin Wetzel, the Director General – European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA)
Vendex Show Director – Phil Reynolds
NIVO Business Manager – Michelle Hefferon
Vending International, Editor – Heather Ramsden
Awards end in Lifetime Achievement Award
Comedian Jimmy Mcghie took to the stage to compere the ceremony. After celebrating and applauding the winners of the Suppliers and Operators categories, Jimmy came to the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The award begins with a career back story to a now quiet and focused room. A story that tells of a vending career spanning 40 years, leading the recipient to set up his own vending surround manufacturing company. Jimmy continued to describe the first vending surrounds, the introduction of the modular micro market system to the UK, and a person with a phenomenal network. It was now apparent to the room, who Jimmy was speaking about and after a few nudges from fellow attendees, it dawned upon Paul too.
Paul Howard – Managing Director, Nebrak
After the initial shock, Paul accepted his Vendies Lifetime Achievement Award to a standing ovation, first thanking his team at Nebrak and then all those he’d had the pleasure of working with. When asked about the accolade Paul said ‘I am genuinely taken aback, what an award to receive, I’m speechless, which as many know isn’t me!’.
Nebrak survey, design, manufacture, deliver and install vending furniture solutions in the UK. They work with UK leading vending operators, facilities managers and organisations including numerous high-profile collaborations and partnerships with global food and beverage brands, automated retail technology pioneers, and vending machine equipment manufacturers.
The pandemic scuppered retirement plans, but now with son Tom securely at the helm, and a Vendies Lifetime Achievement award on the mantlepiece, is it time to kick back for Paul?
View the full list of categories and winners here.
Vendies sponsors 2023: Boostbar/Aeguana and Coffetek, Tower Leasing, 365 Retail, Selfy Store by Stora Enso, Pladis, Mondelez, and Siemens.