Refreshing businesses since 1967
Corporate Responsibility
For almost six decades, Refreshment Systems has been helping organisations across the UK provide better coffee, food, drink and retail experiences.
Standards you can trust
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Who are we
Refreshing businesses since 1967
For almost six decades, Refreshment Systems has been helping organisations across the UK provide better coffee, food, drink and retail experiences.
Founded in 1967, we have grown from a family-run Yorkshire business into a national provider of coffee machines, vending solutions, smart retail technology, water systems and specialist healthcare refreshment solutions.
But while our technology and reach have changed, our approach remains the same: reliable service, long-term relationships and solutions designed around our customers.
- Nearly 60 years of experience
- National UK coverage
- Family-owned business
- Award-winning innovation
Our History
Nearly six decades of innovation
Our achievements:
1967
Company was founded
Company founded by Duncan Balmforth
1994
Company changed hands
Alistair Balmforth took over the company from his father Duncan
2008
Carbon Zero
RSL becomes the first Carbon Zero vending company
2011
Ward Beverage Trolley
The first RSL Ward Beverage Trolley was introduced
2017
50 years old
RSL celebrated 50 years with the launch of Balmforth and Co coffee brand
2024
Oakhouse Foods
Oakhouse Foods partnership was formed
2026
Award winners
Nominated for over 9 awards, winner of Vendies award
Corporate Plan
Corporate PlanPDF · 33.1 MB
Sustainability
Evergreen Level 2 Supplier
Refreshment Systems is an Evergreen Level 2 supplier, demonstrating our commitment to meeting recognised NHS sustainability expectations and supporting healthcare organisations with more responsible procurement choices.
Our approach helps NHS and healthcare partners work towards their environmental and social value objectives while maintaining reliable, high-quality refreshment services.
We work with healthcare organisations to make refreshment services more sustainable, efficient and better aligned with wider NHS net zero ambitions.
- Energy-efficient vending and coffee equipment
- Smart telemetry to reduce unnecessary service journeys
- Route planning to improve delivery efficiency
- Recycling and reverse vending solutions
- Support for reusable cups and lower-impact packaging
- Smarter stock management to help reduce waste
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Policies, Governance and Compliance
Human Trafficking (opens in a new tab)
Human Trafficking happens everywhere
PDF · 290 KB · opens in a new tab
Human Trafficking Introduction (opens in a new tab)
PDF · 140 KB · opens in a new tab
Modern Slavery Statement (opens in a new tab)
PDF · 90 KB · opens in a new tab
Reducing our impact, year after year
Our Road to Net Zero
We have been measuring and offsetting our corporate carbon footprint since 2008 and continue to build on this through a long-term carbon reduction programme.
Our Net Zero strategy covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3, with ambitious targets designed to reduce emissions throughout our own operations and wider supply chain.
Our use of telemetry across the machines we manage has already helped improve operational efficiencies by nearly 20% over two financial years.
Our current priorities include:
- Solar panels across our depots
- Further electrification of our operational and engineering fleet
- Energy-efficient equipment and IT systems
- Improved route planning and telemetry
- Supply-chain carbon mapping
- Waste reduction, recycling and reuse
Book a demo
Want to work with us?
Tell us a little about your sites and one of our team will come back within one working day. No hard sell, no obligation.
- General enquiries0800 169 3686
- Service department01274 750 008
- Order ingredients01226 720 482