Vending

Suntory vending machine offers free drinks to encourage workplace communication

Logo provided.

October 19, 2021

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. has developed a vending machine that encourages employees to chat at the workplace, according to a report in The Japan Times.

The machine dispenses a pair of free drinks when two employees scan their ID cards simultaneously on the machine. The employees decide which free drink to receive.

The employer covers the cost for the free drinks and can decide when to offer the drinks and how many can be dispensed per day.

The company created the machine to promote communication among workers, which has suffered due to the coronavirus.

Kokuyo Co., a stationery maker, tested the machine and found it created opportunities for employees to communicate.

Suntory Beverage & Food plans to offer the service to 100 Tokyo area companies next year.