September_2021 - 36

added office coffee service to its repertoire in the
mid-1990s. OCS grew to be a strategic part of its
business but is also the segment that has been hit
hardest by the pandemic shutdowns and subsequent
shift to remote work.
Nationwide, the OCS business is slowly coming
back as employees return to the office and
the operators have everything in their arsenal
from premier coffee brands to portion-pack
and bean-to-cup brewing systems to provide
the coffeehouse experience in the breakroom
that employees have come to expect and that
employers have found value in delivering.
" When we began with OCS, it was a drip-coffee
world and then it evolved to single-cup with
Keurig and Flavia and now bean-to-cup machines
that make drinks like lattes and cappuccinos that
are all the rage, " Roselando commented.
Water is another service AFV added to be
a one-stop shop for its clients. The company's
bottle-less water filtration systems plumbed
to an existing water supply provide an endless
stream of clear, fresh, filtered drinking water.
AFV has also met surging demand for sparkling
and flavored water by adding the Bevi system to
AFV district
manager Chris
Braccia checks out
a glassfront vender
before it's installed
in the field.
its offerings.
" We never sub-contract our water services.
some of its earliest accounts. Key to its loyal following
and steady growth has been the company's
readiness to diversify and evolve to serve all
refreshment needs and adopt the latest technologies
to enhance both the customer experience
and operational efficiency.
"
If vending companies
operate the way they
have been without
micro markets and a
good coffee program
and understanding
customers' changing
needs, they will be out
of business. "
Patrick Arone, AFV vice president
ONE-STOP SHOP
AFV operates 31 routes
that provide vending, micro
markets, and office coffee
service and water filtration
to colleges, universities, businesses,
industrial complexes
and healthcare facilities in
Boston and the surrounding
areas. Its reach has grown
over the decades, spanning
beyond Massachusetts into
New Hampshire, Rhode
Island and Connecticut.
The company recognized
the need to provide a total
refreshment solution and
36 Automatic Merchandiser * September 2021
This means we're accountable to our locations.
We'll keep the water flowing, the filter working
and their taste buds happy, " Arone said.
" One thing about our company that's been a big
part of our success is we don't just jump into
anything. We watch and figure out what works
and doesn't first. Anything brand new does not
necessarily work well so we make the move once
we know what's sticking with customers and the
technology has proven itself. "
MICRO MARKET MOMENTUM
This wait-and-see approach made AFV relatively
late to join the micro market revolution in
2013, but that didn't hinder the company from
emerging as one of the largest providers of the
self-checkout stores in New England.
Pre-COVID, the company operated 120
micro markets. Currently, 65 are open and the
others are still on site, awaiting the return of
enough employees to reopen.
" We expect a surge in business by October
as kids go back to school, " Roselando predicted.
" We developed some unique approaches during
September_2021

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