The EVA is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1994, representing the interests of the whole European coffee service and vending industry vis-à-vis the European Union Institutions and other relevant authorities or bodies. The EVA is an international association governed by Belgian law and its membership comprises of both National Associations and companies (in total 121 members).
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There are 295 million consumers who use machines at least once per week;
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There are approximately 4.5 million vending machines in Europe;
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3 million machines (67%) are hot drinks machines – the majority of these being table-top vending or OCS machines;
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This corresponds on average to 175 Europeans for every vending machine;
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The machines are run by some 10,000 companies, mostly SMEs and family businesses;
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The industry employs directly 85,000 people and many more in supportive industries;
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Vending across Europe has a turnover of €20 billion.
The key players in the industry are vending & OCS (Office Coffee Service) operators, product suppliers, water filter/dispenser manufacturers, cup & disposable suppliers, machine manufacturers and payment systems, telemetry and software providers.
Position to OPC UA
Erwin Wetzel, Director General, European Vending & Coffee Service Association
OPC UA plays a pivotal role in addressing the critical challenges of fragmentation and diverse protocol management within our industry. With numerous interfaces and protocols in play, compatibility and flexibility often come at the expense of increased costs and operational complexity. OPC UA’s standardised approach offers a unified framework that enables seamless interaction between machines, peripherals, and systems, ensuring interoperability across diverse vendors and components. This single, harmonised protocol not only reduces the need for multiple interpretations but also supports key industry needs like diagnostics, payment integration, and data security. Embracing OPC UA propels our industry towards digitalisation and future-ready solutions, minimising costs associated with fragmentation and simplifying integration for all stakeholders.
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