Milk Vending Machines; The Silent Employment Driver To Many Neighborhoods In Kenya
Milk vending machines have become keys drivers of employment in Kenya with many neighborhoods around the country are teeming with such businesses. The dairy value chain has received a major boost with the advent of the milk dispensing enterprise. It goes without saying that milk is a delicacy in Africa ,with almost every household incorporating it in their meals in one form or the other.
Milk traders will always get market for their commodity as long as there is a human population in place. Any aspiring entrepreneur can roll out this business and get value for their money. Statistics from the Kenya Dairy Board rightly affirm that these milk atm machines have boosted milk sales all over Kenya especially in the cosmopolitan urban centres of the country where the spending power of the consumer base is higher as compared to the rural areas. The high prices of packaged milk in supermarkets and shops across the country have hit the 50 shilling mark while most milk vendors are able to sale a half a litre of pasteurized unpackaged milk at a cost of kshs 30. This represents an almost 50% saving resulting in most consumers preferring to buy their milk form milk ATM owners.
The Anytime Milk Machine (ATM) essentially allows a consumer to buy milk for any amount of money they have eliminating the need for packaging and knocks off middlemen from the daily value . This has the end result of making the product more affordable especially for the low income part of the populace.
Busy shopping areas with retail shops are recommended to allow customers to easily include milk in their shopping list as they shop for other supplies. A commercial agreement with supermarket owners to station these devices in their supermarkets can bring in good sales results, some of which can be shared with supermarket owners in a mutually agreed format.
Standalone outfits that are well lit and well ventilated with stable water and electric power supplies can assert independence in the business if the infrastructure sharing plan with big retail outlets such as supermarkets is not workable.
The milk dispenser, commonly called milk ATM is the main machine required for this business. They come in varying sizes and designs– portable and wall – such as 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 200 and even 1,000 litres. They are refrigerated to preserve milk and can dispense any denomination of milk in 100ml units.
The statutory body mandated with regulating this business is the, Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the relevant county government licensing departments. Identify a dependable supplier of good quality milk such as dairy farmers and farmer cooperatives which supply pasteurized milk at a good price. Practice high standards of hygiene to maintain freshness. With pasteurized milk costing some kshs 50 to 55 to you can dispense milk at Ksh60 – Ksh70 per litre. Good customer service is critical and follow strict maintenance schedules to ensure long life for your valuable machine. Keep a good supply of coins to exchange with notes for those who come with bigger denominations an assistant to operate the dispenser or to exchange bigger denomination with coins.