Butcher Sells Meat From German Vending Machine
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Persistence paid off for Rick Reams; he is the first butcher in the U.S. to import a meat vending machine from Germany. Two of them were filled and running before Memorial Day in front of his business, RJ’s Meats in Hudson, Wis. With 44 slots, he can fill the machines with up to 500 packages of meat.
“The size of the package doesn’t matter. I can adjust every 3 millimeters whether it’s for bacon or pot roast,” Reams says.
The machine’s versatility to dispense everything from his popular burger blend to his prize winning sausages, brats and wieners, caught his attention the minute he saw one at an international meat trade show in Germany. That was four years ago, when the European manufacturer, Regiomat, wasn’t ready to sell to North America.
At the 2016 trade show, Reams connected with a salesman, who had attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Reams convinced him that RJ’s Meat should be the first U.S. buyer.
The refrigerated machines have many safety features including UV-protected, triple pane safety glass. He places them under his shop’s overhang out of the direct sun, and there are food safety measures in place. For example, if the temperature goes too high, the machine won’t dispense anything. Reams can also be notified through his phone, or be informed when it needs to be restocked with product or change. The machines are set up for cash or credit cards, with the prices the same as in the shop.
Memorial Day was extra busy, and Reams added products three times. He notes the items that sell changes from day to day.
“On Sunday bacon was selling like crazy, but not much sold on Memorial Day,” he says.
Though it was a substantial investment (about half the cost of his first home), Reams anticipates a two-year payback. But the biggest payback may be customer service and a little more personal time. Customers who commute to the Twin Cities in Minnesota have been asking for later hours (after 7 p.m.) Monday-Saturday and longer hours on Sunday. After nearly three decades of running the family-owned business, Reams didn’t want to take away more personal time from his family or employees. The vending machine extends the hours and is convenient for customers who need to shop early in the morning or at night.
“Reception has been fantastic,” Reams says, noting he has seen postings of customers taking selfies with the vending machines. An acquaintance reported that he saw seven people waiting in line in the rain.
Though Reams doesn’t know if customers will wait in line on cold winter days, the machines have frost heaters and work down to 20 degrees below zero.
Winter sales could be just as good, especially during Viking and Green Bay Packer football games. And he can only speculate what meat needs fans will have during the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis, less than 30 miles away.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, RJ’s Meats, 1101 Coulee Rd., Hudson, Wis. 54016 (ph 715 386-9291; www.rjmeats.com; rj@rjmeats.com).
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Butcher Sells Meat From German Vending Machine FARM HOME Food Persistence paid off for Rick Reams; he is the first butcher in the U S to import a meat vending machine from Germany Two of them were filled and running before Memorial Day in front of his business RJ’s Meats in Hudson Wis With 44 slots he can fill the machines with up to 500 packages of meat “The size of the package doesn’t matter I can adjust every 3 millimeters whether it’s for bacon or pot roast ” Reams says The machine’s versatility to dispense everything from his popular burger blend to his prize winning sausages brats and wieners caught his attention the minute he saw one at an international meat trade show in Germany That was four years ago when the European manufacturer Regiomat wasn’t ready to sell to North America At the 2016 trade show Reams connected with a salesman who had attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Reams convinced him that RJ’s Meat should be the first U S buyer The refrigerated machines have many safety features including UV-protected triple pane safety glass He places them under his shop’s overhang out of the direct sun and there are food safety measures in place For example if the temperature goes too high the machine won’t dispense anything Reams can also be notified through his phone or be informed when it needs to be restocked with product or change The machines are set up for cash or credit cards with the prices the same as in the shop Memorial Day was extra busy and Reams added products three times He notes the items that sell changes from day to day “On Sunday bacon was selling like crazy but not much sold on Memorial Day ” he says Though it was a substantial investment about half the cost of his first home Reams anticipates a two-year payback But the biggest payback may be customer service and a little more personal time Customers who commute to the Twin Cities in Minnesota have been asking for later hours after 7 p m Monday-Saturday and longer hours on Sunday After nearly three decades of running the family-owned business Reams didn’t want to take away more personal time from his family or employees The vending machine extends the hours and is convenient for customers who need to shop early in the morning or at night “Reception has been fantastic ” Reams says noting he has seen postings of customers taking selfies with the vending machines An acquaintance reported that he saw seven people waiting in line in the rain Though Reams doesn’t know if customers will wait in line on cold winter days the machines have frost heaters and work down to 20 degrees below zero Winter sales could be just as good especially during Viking and Green Bay Packer football games And he can only speculate what meat needs fans will have during the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis less than 30 miles away Contact: FARM SHOW Followup RJ’s Meats 1101 Coulee Rd Hudson Wis 54016 ph 715 386-9291; www rjmeats com; rj@rjmeats com
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