We Had Visitors from Sweden

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of welcoming Gareth Fitzpatrick and Anna Wilkins from Barry Callebaut Beverages, along with their colleagues from Sweden, Susanne Barrklint and Isabelle Åslund. Susanne and Isabelle head up marketing for Barry Callebaut Beverages, so it was a great opportunity to talk properly about the UK vending and HoReCa markets and where we’re all heading.

Barry Callebaut Beverages, part of the Barry Callebaut Group, is a long-standing partner of ours.  If you’re not familiar, Barry Callebaut Beverages is a powerhouse in the world of premium vending and HoReCa drinks, with a 190-year legacy in chocolate and milk-based products. Their visit was a chance to share insights, ideas and plans for the future and yes, we did get onto Sweden’s Eurovision entry (Sauna!)

A Shared Focus on Quality
We spent several hours together in good company, digging into the details of the UK market and sharing practical insights from both sides. We talked about the changing expectations in workplaces, the steady rise of better tabletop machines in locations such as workplaces, hotels and foodservice sites, and what operators are looking for when it comes to drinks that are both reliable and genuinely enjoyable. This wasn’t a sales trip or a box-ticking tour. It was a genuine opportunity to align and to make sure the products we’re offering truly serve the people using them. 

It’s clear we all share the same goal;  helping customers serve better hot drinks, whether they’re using a vending machine, running a busy canteen, or setting up an office drinks station.

“Thanks for having us and thanks for sharing your valuable insights about the British vending market,” said Susanne Barrklint. “Looking forward to growing our brands together with you!”

Products That Customers Come Back For
We’ve worked with Barry Callebaut Beverages for several years, and their products are firm favourites across our range.

LE Royal Vending Hot Chocolate is our top-selling hot chocolate; a consistent performer in vending machines and a favourite in offices and leisure sites.

The Classic Vending Range offers dependable milk and cocoa drinks that hit the mark in locations such as staff canteens, car garages and serviced offices.

And then there’s Van Houten, a premium name in chocolate drinks since 1828. It’s well known in Europe and increasingly popular with UK buyers looking to offer something better.

“We also got to visit some of our fabulous customers, including Leigh Walker at Vending Superstore, and what a warm welcome we received,” said Anna Wilkins. “Very grateful for the customers in the vending industry that we get to engage and collaborate with.”

Looking Ahead
We also got a first look at some of the upcoming developments from Barry Callebaut Beverages such as new branding, product tweaks and packaging formats that are well suited to today’s vending and HoReCa environments. We’re always on the lookout for products that combine ease of use with quality, and it’s clear that more of those are on the way.

Vinnie our recently launched and much-loved cup mascot, got a makeover in honour of the visit. He was sporting a fresh look in Van Houten colours, and we think he wears them well.

“It was a pleasure to host the Barry Callebaut team and to have proper time together to talk about where things are going,” said Leigh Walker of Vending Superstore. “We covered everything from brand plans and product improvements to the kind of support that really helps us serve our customers. It’s always encouraging to work with people who genuinely care about quality and want to keep raising the bar.”

Gareth summed it up best:
“A fantastic couple of days hosting our Marketing team in the UK. Thank you Susanne Barrklint & Isabelle Åslund for taking time out of your schedules to visit us. Today, we had a wonderful welcome from Leigh Walker at Vending Superstore and it was great to see Vinnie donning his Van Houten Drinks outfit. Everything from brand plans, comic sans to Sweden’s Eurovision entry (absolute banger) was covered. Exciting times ahead.”

We’re looking forward to building on these conversations and bringing even more value to our customers in the months ahead. Keep an eye out as I’m sure there’s plenty more to come.

Leigh Walker

Buyer & Head of Ecommerce

With 16 years of industry experience, Leigh is on a mission to offer the best value in vending machine supplies and workplace drinks & snacks. From premium coffee blends to budget-friendly refreshments, Leigh knows how to keep office break rooms stocked without breaking the bank. When not curating the perfect product lineup, Leigh can be found negotiating treat quotas with Stanley, the office dog and Chief Cuddler. Together, they make sure Vending Superstore delivers both great value and good vibes.