Parts: At a vending machine near you

摘要

Typically when we think of vending machines, we think of snack foods or beverages. More recently, however, they are being used in industrial applications. Companies such as Fastenal and lsourcevend are installing vending machines in industrial plants, where they vend things like tools, safety glasses, and even small parts. Fastenal has gone one step further with its Fast P.O.D, a shipping container that acts as a mini-store. The shipping containers have been altered to accommodate computer equipment, to improve security, and to include insulation and heating and air conditioning. Whether a shipping container or a vending machine, the idea is to bring parts closer to the customer.