What is an automatic milk dispenser and what is its intended use?
In general, a milk dispenser is an automatic device for direct sale of fresh milk. The device operates unassisted similarly to well-known vending machines for coffee or tea. Its operation is very simple and involves the customer inserting appropriate amount of coins and selecting a given dosage of milk (usually 1L or 05.L). The customer may either have milk dozed to his own container or buy certain kind of bottle using the bottle distributor, which is a part of equipment.  

In what countries did milk dispensers develope and did they succeed?

Automatic milk dispensers have been successfully operating for almost 10 years. They can be found during visiting such countries as Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary…They have also been used successfully in Austria, Switzerland as well as by our Czech and Slovakian neighbours.  
Success of milk dispensers in those countries is reflected both by their count and long-term undisturbed operation.  

There are several suppliers of milk dispensers on the Polish market. How can your Company be marked out?

We are not only supplier of milk dispensers but also manufacturer thereof. We have almost 20-year experience in the industry. This is an extremely important part of our competitive advantage. By dint of our experience we have developed technical facilities, appropriate infrastructure and trained staff dealing with such a sensitive product as milk for many years.  
We can offer professional service and we can act immediately in emergency cases. Our service team’s reaction time hours can be as early as 6 hours. We can also provide our customers with 24-hour service on duty as well as 24-month warranty.  

Will there be a demand for milk dispensers in Poland?

Observing increased consumption of fresh milk we can also assume increased sale of milk and the number of milk dispensers respectively. Our society becomes more and more aware of healthy and natural food, including fresh milk.  
Let me draw your attention to the fact that automatic sale of milk may be mutual beneficial. On one side a milk producer may generate profits disregarding any agents, and on the other side a customer, who buys milk will receive a natural and fresh product that can be additionally processed into white cheese, cream or clabber. Such configuration of mutual profits may significantly influence the demand for Milk Dispensers.  

Will installation of a milk dispenser ensure profits? How profitable will it be? For whom they constitute an opportunity for development?

Subject to legislation only milk producers are entitled to direct sale of fresh milk. It means that milk dispensers constitute great opportunity for their development.  
Productivity of each automatic vending machine, such as the milk dispenser, depends to a great extent on attractiveness of its location. This is the first aspect that needs to be taken into account during purchase and installation of a milk dispenser.  The level of profits will also depend on raw material itself, however, this issue remain indisputable because high quality of milk is essential.  
Our estimations indicate that if a producer decides to invest in the Milk Dispenser his investment expenses shall be returned after a year. Such fast return on investment may be possible only because milk will be sold disregarding any agents such as dairy plants or shops, which used to generate the highest profits. If the market price is maintained a farmer may generate about 2PLN per litre of milk while the Milk Dispenser is capable of selling 200L to 400L per day. Calculation is then very simple.  

Will there not be administrative problems with massive installation of milk dispensers? Recently it turned out that it has not yet been decided who should supervise all the machines?

The issue of supervision over milk dispensers, as well as over fresh milk, has already been standardized in Poland. Indeed, during introduction of milk dispensers on the Polish market some doubts appeared concerning supervision authorities for competent supervision over such devices. Today, it is already known who should be responsible and for what scope of supervision over milk dispensers.  

Shouldn’t we expect similar situation as in Czech Republic, which experienced strong competition involving supermarkets and milk companies towards elimination of Milk Dispensers?

This question should be addressed to all entities concerned. We do believe that there is a place for each form of sale and each kind of milk on the market.  
On many markets Milk Dispensers have fund their place in the vicinity of supermarkets or even inside shops because sale of such product may increase attractiveness of such place. Many people visit such places with the purpose of buying this product only. There is no other place you can buy full value milk delivered directly from a cow.

Interview carried out by Radosław Popławski, a journalist from Mleczarstwo.com

More about milk dispensers at www.mlekomat.info