SAUDI ARABIA- Beijing-based unmanned vending machine company Ubox has partnered with RTE food supplier Siwar Foods to introduce advanced unmanned vending technologies across Siwar Foods’ food service clients across Saudi Arabia.
The strategic partnership is intended to bring innovation and technology to the country’s food service sector.
Siwar Foods was selected for the partnership because it is a prominent RTE producer. It supplies an impressive portfolio of 480 clients, including wholesalers, restaurants, hotels, and catering companies.
According to the terms of the partnership, Siwar will operate more than 120 vending machines throughout Saudi Arabia.
The RTE supplier welcomed the move, highlighting Ubox’s experience and expertise in supply chain management in mainland China, which it anticipates will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s technological progress in the food service sector.
As a result of the partnership, Siwar Foods expects to tap into China’s extensive and cost-effective food industry, which, when combined with its supply chain management expertise, should provide a useful opportunity for growth.
Ubox also praised the partnership, reiterating the wealth of business data it has built over time and its operational expertise, especially in pricing, product selection, and distribution.
The vending machine leader is expected to leverage these insights to ensure a seamless client experience, tailored local experiences, and active support of the growth of Saudi Arabia’s local food service sector.
According to both companies, the partnership is also expected to enhance the culinary choices of Siwar Foods’ clients, offering novel dishes and exciting flavors to their customers.
The partnership will mark the first time Ubox will exclusively offer RTE foods in its vending machines. Previously, this was only available for FMCG goods such as bottled drinks, snacks, and freshly brewed coffee.
Apart from technological provisions for refrigeration and food preservation, the vending machines will also come equipped with AI technology that will enable convenient payment options like QR code scanning, face recognition and NFC.
The unmanned vending machine leader’s business model has proven successful in the past. In 2023, the company generated 2.034 billion yuan (SAR1.072 billion or US$460 million) in revenue, demonstrating the potential of its business model.
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