15 June 2020 – Gloucester: The WCD Group has signed an exclusive distributor agreement with German vending firm Flavura, for the sales and supply of mask vending machines and masks (Automask) to UK businesses and local government establishments for consumers to access. Automask represents the future of vending machines for the protection against bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus. Face coverings (non-medical) are now compulsory for people using public transport in England from Monday 15 June. This move to compulsory face coverings on buses, trains, ferries and planes, and the new rules for hospitals, will coincide with a further easing of lockdown restrictions – read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51205344 Automask is a state-of-the-art vending machine that is tamper- and weather-proof for all indoor and outside locations, either free standing or wall mounted. It is made from stainless steel, that can even tolerate swimming pool and health club chlorine environments. Designed and manufactured in Germany there are various options in design and colour. The vending machine dispenses single-use or reusable cotton face masks with a capacity of around 200 units. The machine is easy to reload and has a contactless payment system, an optional free-vend for corporates or coin operation, if required. As the world of retail slowly opens its doors many consumers will feel safer and more comfortable wearing a mask especially when entering an enclosed space. As seen with PPE products during this pandemic, getting hold of regular supplies can prove difficult for businesses and the public. These vending machines deliver masks conveniently at the point of use to keep the public safe. Pete Glanville managing director at the WCDGroup said: “We are proud to be the exclusive distributor in the UK for the Automask brand utilising our established sales and supply operations. Flavura launched the machine in Germany last week with huge interest and we are excited about the prospects in the UK. We know that face coverings will help keep us safe and contain the spread of coronavirus and it’s essential that consumers can easily get hold of one when they need it.” “Face coverings are recommended in all public areas of business and retail to protect life and keep us safe as the country starts to ease out of lock down and restart the economy. Mask vending at the point of use is convenient and will enable the public to comply. It’s a perfect solution for consumers at rail stations, airport lounges, corporate offices and receptions areas, retail and shopping malls with round the clock access. The WCD Group can deliver machines to site in 10-14 days and provide stocks of either mask type as required in vast quantities. A return on investment can be realised on the equipment purchase in a matter of months knowing that face coverings will be a feature of the new normal for a long time to come.

About Flavura

The German vending machine expert Flavura provides various types of high-quality vending machines including maintenance and technical service across the EU and UK. The AutoMask has been developed to make face masks accessible to the public 24/7. One of the founding Flavura partners is Kristian Klatt, former Managing Director of Costa Express GmbH in Berlin.

Track record in brand distribution

The WCD Group is all about health and wellbeing in the boardroom, the workplace and the home. From our ‘two-man, one-desk’ roots back in 2004 we are an award-winning leading drinking water solutions company working with the industry’s biggest equipment manufacturers and supplying some of the largest blue-chip companies in the UK with drinking water coolers, boilers and instant hot taps. The WCD Group comprises six brands: watercoolersdirect.com; waterboilersdirect.com, airandwaterdirect.com; logistics management at www.letsjobit.com, its fast-growing kettletaps.com site and now automask.co.uk The Group works with companies large and small across the UK including Barclays, David Lloyd Clubs,Gloucester Rugby, Creed Foodservice, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Asda, Greggs, CBRE, Nationwide and a world-leading logistics company. www.automask.co.uk