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1947
Founded by Alan King, the company starts in Montreal with the distribution of vending machines, and operates under the name Vendking International.
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1965
Mr. King abandons the distribution of vending machines and concentrates on the development of his own equipment. VKI Technologies introduces its first single-cup brewer, appropriately named: Vendking. Inspired by the French press piston, the Vendking brewer becomes the quintessence of VKI and is quickly recognized as one of the best coffee brewer worldwide.
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1970
The Vendking brewer becomes known internationally for its uniqueness and the quality of the coffee it brews. A distribution contract for the Vendking brewer is signed with Europe Automatic (now Etna, B.V.) a Dutch manufacturer of automated beverage vending machines and with Toshiba Electric Appliances, an important Japanese manufacturer. These two partners integrate the Vendking brewer into their own line of coffee makers.
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1972
The company designs the first single-cup coffee maker, the VK200. Smaller and easier to maintain than existing coffee makers on the market equipped with its Vendking brewer, the VK200 revolutionizes the office coffee service industry in Québec.
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1986
In order to expand VKI's position on the market and to penetrate the American market, VKI launches a franchise opportunity called Filterfresh. Franchisees quickly spring up throughout the United States and the brewer technology, developed by VKI, becomes synonymous with quality on the American market.
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1997
Important transition year for VKI. All manufacturing processes are revamped to implement lean manufacturing concepts. VKI increases its flexibility and maximizes its production capabilities.
During the same year, VKI becomes a subsidiary of Van Houtte, one of the largest North American companies known for its roasting, marketing, and distribution of specialty coffees.
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1998
VKI develops its first "turnkey" project. Two American freelancers approach VKI to develop their concept of an automatic tea machine. Entering into a partnership, VKI produces a line of tea machines that are now distributed in over a thousand convenience stores in the United States.
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1999
Commercialization of a new generation of the Vendking brewer - the Zuma brewer. The Zuma breaks new ground as a paperless brewer, requiring less upkeep while brewing coffee and tea of impeccable quality.
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2001
The company receives ISO 9001:1994 certification in recognition of the quality management procedures implemented; these standards are closely monitored to ensure continuous improvement at VKI.
VKI introduces its revamped product line: Brewing solutions for those customers with low-volume needs right up to those with much higher volume requirements. An unparalleled trio, with a fresh contemporary and uniformed look.
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2002
Keurig, an important designer and distributor of single-cup coffee machines, entrusts VKI with the production of their commercial model, the B2003.
Within this partnership, VKI conceives and develops a coin changer adapted to the B2003.
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2003
The launch of the Espresso Cafe, a revolutionary, completely automatic, espresso coffee machine allows VKI and the Van Houtte network to enlarge their market.
VKI's quality management procedures are certified ISO 9001:2000.
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2005
VKI introduces ScalehammerTM to the retail market. This associated product was developed to treat scale build up and the effects of hard water.
A liquid hot chocolate machine is developed for an office environment and is introduced on the market.
Important efforts are directed at increasing VKI's presence in Europe.
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