SHELTON, Conn., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomra
Systems, ASA (TOMRA), a leading global provider of reverse
vending machines (RVMs) and sensor-based sorting equipment, today
announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire
Greenbean Recycle Inc., a company specializing in technology
for RVMs that facilitates rewards and incentives for customers and
brings marketing value to retailers. The acquisition is an all-cash
transaction and terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The rewards technology will be integrated into TOMRA's ReAct
technology platform. ReAct is a consumer engagement system designed
to enhance the recycling experience, providing rewards and
incentives for the consumers using RVMs to recycle their bottles
and cans. Launched in Europe
earlier this year, ReAct personalizes the process of recycling, and
uses social media to highlight and reward top recyclers. Today,
millions of consumers already use RVMs in the US and Europe across dozens of retailers to recycle,
earn their deposit value and feel good about recycling.
TOMRA plans to use new and enhanced personalization technology
to provide more value to its retail customers, grow organically in
non-retail locations and continue to support the currently
installed base in colleges, universities and public spaces.
The Greenbean technology facilitates a retailer's interaction
with customers: Based on a consumer's recycling habits, the
retailer can provide the customer with loyalty points or coupons,
and ensure the funds will be spent in the store. When recycling
through an RVM, customers have the option of adding points to their
store loyalty cards, or to cash-equivalent gift cards.
"We are excited to continue Greenbean's pioneering work of
creating a digital engagement platform for RVMs. TOMRA's goal is to
create a truly unique and rewarding experience for all RVM users,
leveraging technology to reward and incentivize them," said Hakon
Volldal, Executive Vice President and Head of Tomra's Collection
Solutions business area. "We hope our retail partners will get
excited about the RVM's enhanced capabilities to gather shopper
insights and deliver marketing messages and rewards right there in
the store."
Founded in 2010, Greenbean developed a solution that allowed the
recycling refund from an RVM to be transferred to any digital
payment account without the need of a paper receipt or cash
register. Greenbean worked with TOMRA in 2011 to add the software
in the RVMs in educational settings, launching the first Greenbean
RVM at MIT. Greenbean implementations
are in nine colleges in Massachusetts and Indiana.
Shanker Sahai, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbean Recycle,
said, "Greenbean was founded to make RVMs convenient, and more
accessible which would increase recycling rates. By incorporating
Greenbean technology into TOMRA's ReAct program, TOMRA can engage
RVM users and increase recycling rates with its broad and growing
customer base and worldwide presence."
About Tomra Systems ASA
TOMRA creates sensor-based solutions for optimal resource
productivity – helping our customers increase their financial
results and reduce their environmental impact. TOMRA was founded on
an innovation in 1972 that began with design, manufacturing and
sale of reverse vending machines for automated collection of used
beverage containers. Today TOMRA continues to innovate and provides
cutting-edge solutions within two main business areas: Collection
Solutions (reverse vending, material recovery and compaction) and
Sorting Solutions (recycling, mining and food sorting). TOMRA has
170,000 installations in over 80 markets. The Group employs 2,500
people globally and is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
(OSE: TOM). For further information, please visit
www.tomra.com.
About Greenbean
Greenbean is a software company which gives a consumer a real-time
environmental impact soon as a bottle and can is recycled in a
reverse vending machine. Greenbean refunds their loyalty card, gift
card, student card or charity of choice without a paper receipt and
cash register. Greenbean was selected as a finalist in the 2010
MassChallenge program, and was incubated in PayPal's Start Tank in
2012 and in 2013. The company is based in Greentown Labs in
Somerville, MA. For more
information, visit www.gbrecycle.com.
Media Contact
Patty
Buchanan
Fastlane on Behalf of TOMRA
(973) 670-1203
patty@fastlane.co
TOMRA Sales Contact
Ryan
Drake-Lee
TOMRA
Director, Business Development & Sales, Commercial Software
(203) 712-6185
Ryan.lee@tomra.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140924/148132
SOURCE Tomra Systems, ASA
