Comment Log Display

Comments on Investment Plans:
CAVC is an affiliated state council of the National Automatic
Merchandise Association (NAMA), representing hundreds of large and
small businesses that provide vending and refreshment services to
thousands of customers in California each day and employing
hundreds of workers in the state. Members of the CAVC represent a
full range of on-site food and refreshment service companies in
California including vending and refreshment services operators,
suppliers, machine manufacturer, brokers and distributors. 

We strongly encourage the panel for the Investment Plan, the
Governor’s office, and the State legislature to consider including
a small and medium business element in your investment plan.
The vending industry in California would appreciate consideration
in this plan. The conversion to new refrigerants for vending
machines will have a major impact on the vending industry. It would
create the need for facility changes, new charging, recovery and
handling equipment, training, tooling changes and new parts
inventory. There will be costs incurred at both the manufacturing
level and also for the businesses in California that purchase this
equipment.

The average vending machine costs approximately $6,000.00 which is
a significant capital outlay for a small business. It is unclear
whether existing machines can be retrofitted to use the new
refrigerant or if they will need to be replaced completely. In both
situations an incentive or rebate program for the vending companies
would enable them to move forward with replacing or retrofitting
equipment.