Automatic Age

N a t i o n a l M a g a z in e o f t h e V e n d in g M a c h in e I n d u s t r y
A L L IA N C E S
The bright star of 1930 for automatic merchandising has been the
large number of manufacturers of products nationally known that
have favorably considered vending machines as prospective sales out­
lets. The number of these has been so impressive
that we may expect 1931 to be marked by important
expansion in the field of selling by machine. Indi­
cations are that the most favorable forms of this
expansion are in the nature of trade agreements or
alliances between the manufacturer of the article
to be sold and the 'manufacturer of the vending
machine, or perhaps an operating organization. This
system may not yet be the ideal arrangement but
it permits a spirit of cooperation that may mean
much for the parties concerned. Manufacturers of
confections have been the most forward up to the
present in seeking these alliances, but now that
packaging of meats and other perishables is opening up a field for
selling by machine, there will be a widening of the types of firms in­
vestigating automatic selling. The automatic trade must expect that
these national manufacturers will demand the best in design and effi­
ciency for the machines which are to handle their products. It will be
a challenge to the manufacturers of vending machines to make even
greater improvements than have been made in the past. It will be
a great day for the industry too, when manufacturers of the articles
to be sold and of the machines to do the selling, get together to pro­
duce the best. These national merchandisers are going to seriously
examine the ability of the professional operator, too. It will be the
operator's chance to prove that his mechanical knowledge of ma­
chines cannot be dispensed with, and that he is also capable of keep­
ing abreast of the times in his knowledge of modern merchandising.
Manufacturers of merchandise will be expected to cooperate by liberal
contracts and price agreements that permit the operator a proper
margin of profit. There are big opportunities in prospect and the
proper attitude on the part of those concerned will insure great pro­
gress in automatic selling during 1931.
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