George Vitas
George Vitas is one of the best know and respected names in the vending community, working in the industry for over 50 years.
Born in a farming village in Yugoslavia (now Croatia) in 1942, George and his family were forced to leave the country in 1957 when his home was destroyed after his father refused to fight for communists in the Country.
After a couple of years working with local building firm Adkins & Shaw, in 1960 he joined Stockdales the vending company charged with servicing the 100 + vending machines sited in Perkins Engines, the largest employer in Peterborough.
In 1971 he was poached by GKN Sankey, the largest manufacturer of vending machines in Europe, where he fast became Senior Engineer, helping with the development of the Sankey Mark 1 and 11 drinks machines.
In 1980 with the help of as £500 loan from his sister Jovanka, and working from her garage, George established Vitas Vending and immediately became the "go to" person for quality vending machines and service, in and around Peterborough.
After a successful couple of years gaining contracts with some of Peterborough’s best know companies, Vitas Vending moved into premises at the Breydon Centre in Fengate, and George employed his sister as senior operator.
By now George’s reputation was second to none, and in no time Vitas Vending outgrew the Breydon Centre, so in 1984 He bought land at Fenlake Business Centre and began construction of one of the very first purpose- built vending units in the UK.
After 17 happy years at Fenlake, George always with an eye for an opportunity purchased 3 acres of land in Fengate and began the design and construction of "Vitas Business Centre" now home to one of the largest and most advanced vending facilities in the UK.
In 2004 the business centre was officially opened by George's very first machine supplier, and great friend; Richard Brinsley from Westomatic Vending.
In 2011 George is still hard at work, with a reputation unmatched in the industry, despite his success George still considers Vitas Vending a family business; and his sister Jovanka, and niece Mitsi have now been joined at the company by his son Robin Vitas.