Wilkes Group, the catering, cleaning and vending company based in Wakefield, is to rejoin AVS after a gap of almost 5 years.
The Wilkes Group was founded in 1946 by Mr Gerald Wilkes. The Second World War had just come to an end and having spent a considerable time in the NAAFI, Gerald saw a career in catering as a natural progression.
Industry was developing rapidly in those days and the works canteen was a ubiquitous part of any growing business. With his keen entrepreneurial spirit and an eye for business opportunity, Gerald soon found himself running many of these canteens, throughout the West Yorkshire area.
The company moved into vending in 1970, forming Vending Services Ltd. Initially, vending machines were installed only for existing catering clients. Over the past 46 years, the popularity and range of vending machines has continued to increase and Wilkes Vending has become one of the UK’s leading vending businesses.
The return of Wilkes is a major fillip for the AVS, following the recent departure of a high profile member. ‘AVS is delighted to welcome Wilkes Group back into the fold’, CEO Louise Cummings told PV. ‘We are very pleased that the company has once again decided to become part of the AVS family and we’re looking forward to a long and prosperous future together.’
*Unfortunately, we could raise neither Mark Booth nor Stuart Worth of Wilkes for comment, as Planet Vending went to publish.
AVS? A Bluffer’s Guide…
Associated Vending Services (AVS) was established in 1979 when a small group of independent, privately owned vending companies created a members consortia to achieve a group purchasing benefit and an information exchange on a wide range of business related topics through regular meetings and to establish mutual friendship, which has endured over for nearly 40 years.
AVS member companies are experienced, professional vending specialists whose services are closely vetted and quality assured, to ensure only the best and the most committed are invited for membership. The board consists of Louise Cummings as CEO, Tim Newberry (Hallmark), Jane MacDonald (Excel), Hugh Millson (Millson’s Vending), Dave Boull Cymraeg and Tracey Leahy (Mannvend)
More on Wilkes Group on PV, here
