I'm Joe Nichols, second-generation vending business owner. It all began with my father, Joe Nichols Sr., who started a cigarette vending business in Florida in 1953. My dad sold that business in 1964 to Automatic Vending Systems, then moved our family to Atlanta, Ga.

My father, Joe Nichols Sr.

In Atlanta, my father started Major Vending, selling predominantly drinks and snacks. I started working with my father in 1973, securing my own accounts and refurbishing my own vending machines. When I had a question, he was always there with the right answer. In the 1980s, we changed the company name to Abco & Major Vending. My father passed away in 1988 and I took over as owner. In more than 35 years in the vending business, I have run routes, secured locations, repaired vending machines, trained route men, ordered stock and worked 15 hour days – everything that comes with owning a vending business.

Joe at the office

At its peak, Abco & Major Vending grossed about $1.4 million a year. We kept costs down by buying and refurbishing used machines. Our standards were high; machines had to look and work as close to new as possible, never taking shortcuts on cost or workmanship. We knew doing this would make our customers happy – everybody loves a bargain – and save time and money for us by reducing service calls and repairs in the field.

Joe & Bea Nichols, Roy Steeley-Chairman of AMS, Sharon Shull-Pres AMS

As we started selling refurbished machines, we formed A & M Equipment Sales to keep the vending and equipment businesses separate. In 1992, we expanded into new lines of equipment, starting with Polyvend.

Katie Nichols A&M and Kurt Englehardt Firestone Financial

Several years ago we let the vending portion of the business go so we could concentrate on the machine sales, putting our energies into making us the best possible provider. Today, A & M Equipment Sales is the largest refurbisher of vending machines in the southeastern US, with over 2500 new and used vending machines in stock. We sell quality, refurbished machines that look and work like new. We also provide prompt and personalized tech support Monday – Friday 7am – 5pm EST, most parts are sent out the same day. We maintain the highest standards in the industry.

Most Outstanding Distributor Of The Year Award: Mike Samsing-AMS, Joe Nichols, Barry Wood, Katie Nichols, Bea Nichols, Tim Paul-AMS