Vending Company Transitions From Traditional to Tech
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Indianapolis-based vending machine management company has evolved beyond its traditional customer base with big-name partners in the tech world. IVM Inc. technology provides supplies for clients using its custom-built vending machine systems and logistics software. IVM works with health care, production, transportation and education industries and increasingly, President Mike Pitts says, some of the biggest names in technology. In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Pitts says interest from tech companies has "exploded" since it began providing office supply and computer hardware vending services for Facebook five years ago.
Its tech industry customers include Facebook, Microsoft, AIG, Dropbox, Mozilla, Salesforce, Intel and Twitter. Pitts says IVM is also currently in discussions on a potential partnership with a United Kingdom tech company.
IVM builds vending machines and safety locker technology that companies can use to dispense equipment or work-related supplies to workers. Its software connects the machine to suppliers and helps companies keep tabs on what’s being used.
In 1991, the company was founded to handle food vending for companies with multiple operations throughout the country. Two years later, Union Pacific Railroad came to IVM to help it control distribution of its safety products and Pitts said, "therefore, supply vending was born." He added the company is now focused on growth in the tech sector, particularly in Europe.
The company’s roots in Indianapolis date back to the 1950s with the Calderon family and the old Calderon Brothers Vending business, which was acquired in 2009 by Treat America Food Service and has an office in Indy.