About us

Founded in 1998, Automatic Vending Specialists (AVS) is one of Australia’s leading and most reputable importers and distributors of quality vending machines and equipment. Testimony to our credentials and experience is the fact that three of the world’s leading vending machine brands (Crane, Dixie Narco and Vendo) choose AVS to distribute their brands in Australia.

Our spectacular success is the result of our business model and the fact that for a very long time we were the only vending machine importer and distributor to hold a full inventory of vending machines and spare parts. We were also able to back up our equipment with excellent technical support.

AVS core products include the world’s best snack and combo vending machine (Crane MEDIA), two of the world’s best drink machines (BevMax and Vendo), the world’s leading frozen products machine (FastCorp Divi), the only outdoor-certified vending machine (Vendo Outdoor) and an extremely reliable and competitive value-for-money combo machine (VM Series). AVS is able to cater to the needs and budgets of all customers.

AVS distributes and services its equipment nationally through a network of very capable state-based distributors who have built successful businesses around sales and service. AVS distributors are equipped with vending machines for display purposes and fully qualified technicians, ensuring exceptional after-sales service and support.

Our management team is by far the most experienced and respected vending team in the game. With many years experience gained both as operators and distributors of vending equipment, we fully understand the needs and challenges that our customers face, and are able to recommend and provide the best solutions to your vending equipment needs.

The AVS Team

Basil Hourmouzis

BCom, BAcc, ACA
Founder

Basil founded AVS after successfully persuading Crane to entrust their distribution rights for Australia to him. Basil is uniquely positioned to distribute vending machines. Having spent 20 years as a vending operator, initially at Aussie Snacks and then Natvend, he has experienced and fully understands the challenges faced by all vendor operators.

Basil started Aussie Snacks in 1994 and very quickly grew it to become one of Sydney’s largest and most respected vending operators. In 2006/7, he merged his business with four other operators, bought the Mars vending business and Natvend was formed. Under Basil’s leadership, Natvend grew to be Australia’s third largest vending operator after Coca-Cola Amatil and PepsiCo/The Smith’s Snackfood Company. In 2012, he successfully negotiated the sale of Natvend to Coca-Cola Amatil.

Basil’s excellent understanding of the retailing and operational challenges that vending businesses face in today’s marketplace enables him to recommend successful, profitable solutions.

Peter Sozou

BCom (Accounting and Business Law)
General Manager

Peter has a finance and accounting degree; however, he spent most of his career in sales and retail. He started initially with Myers in sales and eventually became a sales manager and trainer of sales staff. He has over 13 years’ experience in vending gained from his time at Natvend and AVS.

Peter spent 10 years at Natvend where he had several roles, starting in finance and ending as National Buyer and Wholesale Manager for the group. During his time as National Buyer, he worked with multinational suppliers to negotiate the best buying prices for the group, and to create and execute promotions for Natvend’s vending machines. He has been an owner and the General Manager of AVS since 2013.

Peter is well positioned to assist operators with their vending equipment needs and is able to assist them to improve profitability of their machines.

John Aldridge

National Operations Manager

John is one of Australia’s most experienced Technical Operations Managers. John started his career as a licenced electrician and has an electronics certification. He spent 23 years with The Smith’s Snackfood Company as a Technician, and the last 10 years as the State Technical / Operations Manager, during which time he developed the national telemetry program.

John joined AVS in mid-2012. As National Operations Manager, he is responsible for all the operational and technical aspects of the company. He has broad knowledge of all facets of vending, and specialist knowledge of Crane Merchandising Systems.

The AVS Advantage

✓ National network of reputable state-based distributors committed to looking after all your sales, service and technical needs
✓ Most experienced team in vending. Management understands your needs as they have deep experience as vending operators
✓ Exceptional qualified technicians in all states
✓ Largest inventory of spare parts — over 3000 SKUs. Most parts can be delivered within 24 hours
✓ AVS has a proud history of doing business the right way; treating people fairly; dealing honestly and ethically with customers, suppliers, and shareholders; and working hard to meet or exceed the expectations of customers
✓ Supplier of choice to multinationals like The Smith’s Snackfood Company, Mars Australia, Nestlé Australia, Coca-Cola Amatil and many others
✓ Supplier of Choice to YOU!