Asahi subsidiary Etika to acquire vending company Advend

Asahi Group subsidiary Etika Holdings has acquired Singapore-based vending company Advend Systems for an undisclosed sum.

Advend Systems is a large-scale operator and refurbisher of vending machines in the region, and this acquisition includes Advend’s full vending business across Malaysia and Singapore, which operates under the name Atlas Vending.

Etika claimed in a statement that it is now the largest vending machine operator in Malaysia, as it will now manage 10,000 vending machines across the country.

Atlas Vending’s machines come in various formats, and can dispense a wide range of products including hot and cold beverages like coffee, canned and bottled drinks, as well as snacks such as cup noodles.

Some machines are equipped with cashless payment systems and proprietary telemetry technology, which allows businesses to monitor the operating status and stock levels of machines, reducing machine downtime and inventory shortages.

Etika says that the acquisition of Atlas’s vending network provides the beverage company with an opportunity to develop an improved vending experience for consumers, ranging from an efficient payment gateway to offering rewards to loyal consumers.

Khalid Alvi, CEO of Etika, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, said: “At Etika, we have always laid special emphasis on meeting consumer requirements as seamlessly as possible.

“Following the acquisition of Atlas Vending, we are now able to be
present in a larger number of vending machines, making Etika the No. 1 beverage company with vending machine presence in the country.”

“Innovation lies at the core of Etika’s business principles. We are constantly on the lookout for new ways to innovate our offerings for our consumers.

“Etika’s acquisition of Atlas Vending provides a major growth opportunity for us as we provide increased convenience to our consumers who can now access their favourite beverages, in many more locations.”