Vending solution helps control inventory and increase productivity

3M Vending Solutions provides users with an effective method to dispense essential products on-site, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This form of controlled vending can also provide cost savings, increased productivity and process improvements.

“Our machines can be configured to dispense a variety of products, including personal protective equipment (PPE), industrial, electrical, office and healthcare consumables - everything from protective eyewear, grinding discs and respirators to first aid supplies or stationery supplies,” said 3M Personal Safety Division Business Manager Gary Watsford.

This type of controlled vending is suitable for mining, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, airlines, maintenance workshops, factories, automotive body repair shops and many other workplaces.

According to Watsford, “3M Vending Solutions offers customers a variety of cost savings including: controlled distribution and usage of PPE and industrial consumables by eliminating product waste and unauthorised usage, reduction in procurement and inventory costs, and the ability to identify contractors so that companies then have the option to back charge for product usage.”

Productivity is increased with a continual supply of essential products, 24/7, 365 days a year. Machines can be placed wherever required, not limited to one location in the store.

Automated and customised product usage reports can be used for inventory management, budgeting, cost recharge and operation and production reviews. 

These machines also protect consumables from dust and damage and can assist with PPE compliance.

Simple and easy to use, workers just need to locate the item they require, swipe their card (or the machine can be configured to use swipe tags), enter the corresponding item code and then collect the item from the bin.