Streamlining operations
Enhancing operational efficiency in our Domestic Beverage Business
Building Vending Machine Operations to Sustain Japan’s Nationwide Vending Machine Network into the Future
There are approximately 2 million soft drink vending machines across Japan, delivering beverages to customers anytime, 24 hours a day. At the same time, the declining birthrate and aging population have made a labor shortage a social issue, and the beverage industry also faces a major challenge in securing operational staff responsible for replenishing and servicing vending machines.
To address this challenge ahead of others, in FY2019 our Group began developing its proprietary, efficient vending machine operation model, “Smart Operation,” and completed its rollout to DyDo DRINCO’s direct sales channel* by FY2022.
* Sales channels operated directly by our Group
What Is Smart Operation?
Under conventional vending machine operations, operation staff were responsible for checking the inventory status of each vending machine, preparing and replenishing products, collecting sales proceeds, and cleaning the machines. With Smart Operation, AI uses real-time sales data obtained from vending machines to formulate replenishment plans and visit plans. By separating product preparation in the sales office warehouse from on-site work at the vending machines, the model improves operational efficiency. In addition, AI-based demand forecasting helps reduce stockouts and is used to develop product offerings tailored to the needs of each location, thereby contributing to the expansion of sales opportunities.
New Possibilities for Vending Machine Operations with Smart Operation
Smart Operation not only improves efficiency; it also creates new possibilities for vending machine operations. In conventional vending machine operations, the types and quantities of products that could be loaded onto a route vehicle were limited. In contrast, Smart Operation has established a system in which products for each vending machine are prepared in advance at the sales office warehouse, enabling the handling of a diverse range of products. This makes it possible for a single route vehicle to operate vending machines from multiple manufacturers, which we call "Mixed-load operations," creating new business opportunities for vending machine operators.
Effects of Smart Operation
Since the start of Smart Operation, productivity has improved significantly. For example, by shortening the time spent working in front of vending machines, the number of vending machines handled per operation staff member has increased to approximately 1.7 times the level before its introduction. Smart Operation is not something that is built once and then considered complete. We aim to further improve productivity and enhance operational quality through continuous improvements, including greater accuracy in AI-based demand forecasting and visit planning.
Collaboration with Asahi Soft Drinks in the Vending Machine Business
In January 2023, DyDo DRINCO, INC. and Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. established Dynamic Vending Network, Inc., a company responsible for the integrated operation of both companies’ direct sales channels. Subsequently, in January 2025, DyDo Beverage Service, Inc. absorbed Asahi Soft Drinks Sales Co., Ltd. through a merger, and now operates vending machine operations as DyDo Asahi Vending, Inc. In May 2025, four sales offices were consolidated and reorganized to open the Yokohama BAY Sales Office, one of the largest sales offices in Japan. In August of the same year, our Group completed the introduction of Smart Operation to Asahi vending machines operated by the Group. We are now gradually expanding “Mixed-load operations,” in which a single route vehicle operates both DyDo vending machines and Asahi vending machines, and are working to create operational synergies.
