The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for cost-effective solutions in sports clubs. Under the leadership of award-winning CEO Bram Moerman, AUTOKIOSK BV developed Padel Kiosk, an automated racket rental system that has now expanded across Europe, revolutionising club operations.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sports clubs faced the unprecedented challenge of maintaining essential services while minimising their operating costs. Recognising this need, AUTOKIOSK BV, led by award-winning CEO Bram Moerman, introduced a groundbreaking solution: the Padel Kiosk. Their innovative system revolutionised racket rentals and product sales, providing a unique, automated service that has since become a game-changer in the padel world.
Founded in March 2021, AUTOKIOSK BV (trading as Padel Kiosk) began its journey in the Belgian cities of Lokeren and Ghent. The initial rollout of five kiosks proved highly successful, prompting expansion across Belgium. Today, Padel Kiosk is present in more than 100 clubs in Belgium and the Netherlands, with aspirations for further growth across Europe.
Strategic Partnership with RedSport Padel Belgium
A crucial factor in AUTOKIOSK BV’s rapid growth has been its partnership with RedSport Padel Belgium. From the outset, RedSport Padel Belgium, the largest padel court construction company in the country, joined forces with AUTOKIOSK BV. This partnership has been instrumental in the company’s success, both in terms of knowledge and financial support. RedSport Padel Belgium, a division of Herwebo BVBA, has been a leader in the padel industry for over a decade, designing, building, and maintaining high-quality padel courts across Belgium, and producing high quality grass with AFP Spain to distribute around the world. Their expertise in construction and innovation has made them an invaluable partner, allowing AUTOKIOSK BV to place numerous kiosks at RedSport’s sites and share office space, further fuelling their rapid expansion.
RedSport Padel Belgium, as the exclusive distributor of RedSport and Adidas padel courts in Belgium, has been committed to enhancing the player experience by designing custom artificial grass in collaboration with Adidas All For Padel Spain and offering comprehensive services including environmental works, car parks, and catering facilities. This close involvement in the construction and continuous innovation of padel courts has enabled them to act as pioneers in the padel industry, perfectly aligning with AUTOKIOSK BV’s forward-thinking approach.
Technological Excellence and Customer-Centric Approach
“The Padel Kiosk was borne out of necessity,” Moerman explains. “After the pandemic, clubs needed a way to offer racket rentals and product sales without incurring high staffing costs. We saw an opportunity to provide a solution that was both innovative and cost-effective.”
The Padel Kiosk stands out with its unique payment system, allowing clubs to rent out rackets and sell essentials like balls, grips, and snacks without requiring staff presence. This innovation not only cuts costs in terms of staffing, but ensures that clubs can offer their members a consistent service throughout the day and night. “Our technology integrates a high-tech weighing system and advanced cameras to ensure accurate and efficient transactions,” states Moerman. “We wanted to make sure that clubs could operate seamlessly and provide an elevated experience for their members.”
“We take pride in our ability to listen to our clients and adapt our offerings accordingly,” Moerman adds. “When clubs asked for a solution to include drinks with a cooling system, we quickly delivered. It’s all about being responsive to our customers’ needs.” This customer-centric approach has been a cornerstone of the company’s business model, ensuring the kiosks evolve with the needs of the market.
By the end of 2023, the Padel Kiosk was a refined, comprehensive product ready to tackle new markets. In early 2024, AUTOKIOSK BV expanded into Cyprus, Austria, and Spain, receiving an overwhelming response. Its presence at the Padel World Summit (PWS) further solidified its reputation, leading to interest from potential distributors in Portugal, the UK, the Baltics, and Greece, with a signed deal already in place for Spain.
Strategic Growth and Future Vision
In June 2024, AUTOKIOSK BV took a significant step by collaborating with Matchi, a big Scandinavian player on the court rental service, thus embarking on an exciting Scandinavian venture. With over 125 kiosks currently in operation, the company aims to reach 150 by the end of 2024 and 250 by the end of 2025.
“Padel is just the beginning,” Moerman is keen to point out. “We see immense potential in applying our kiosk technology to a range of other sports and even non-sporting applications such as computer rentals. Our goal is to be at the forefront of innovation and provide versatile solutions that are tailor made to meet our clients’ evolving needs.”
Padel Kiosk’s journey from a local initiative to a European contender exemplifies innovation and adaptability. From its roots in Belgium’s padel clubs to its growing presence across Europe, AUTOKIOSK BV has set a new standard for automated sports equipment rental and sales. As the sport of padel continues to flourish, Padel Kiosk is poised to be at the forefront, delivering unmatched convenience and efficiency to clubs and players alike.
For clubs seeking to enhance their service offerings without the burden of additional staffing costs, Padel Kiosk offers an unparalleled solution of three distinct yet flexible options. The company’s Full Service Option even provides a 20% commission on all sales and rentals, further benefiting partner clubs. This approach ensures that Padel Kiosk not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its clients, solidifying its position as the go-to solution for automatic racket rental and sales.
Installing a Padel Kiosk: Three Flexible Options
Padel Kiosk provides three flexible and customisable options tailored to the needs of any club. These choices allow sports club management to select the level of involvement and service that best aligns with their operational preferences and financial goals.
- Purchasing a Padel Kiosk
When a club opts to purchase a Padel Kiosk, they gain full control over the machine. This option allows the club to determine the products stocked and manage all aspects of the kiosk’s operation. The revenue generated from the kiosk remains with the club, while a monthly service and software contract covers ongoing support. The kiosk is equipped with a contactless payment system for app and bank card transactions. Installation and placement are handled at no cost within Belgium, with the club responsible for stocking the kiosk.
For optimal performance, the kiosk must be placed in a location that is frost-free (> 5°C), anhydrous, shielded from direct sunlight, and heat-free (< 30°C). If these conditions cannot be met, AUTOKIOSK BV offers solutions including a specially designed container equipped with a heating element, motion sensor lighting, and necessary internet and electricity connections.
- Renting a Padel Kiosk
With the kiosk rental option, the club retains control over the machine and the choice of stocked products. A fixed monthly rental fee includes service and software costs, and all revenue generated is retained by the club. As with purchased kiosks, rental kiosks use a contactless payment system. The Padel Kiosk team provides free placement and installation, and the club manager is responsible for refilling the kiosk.
The same environmental conditions apply with renting, but should a club be unable to meet these requirements, a container solution is available.
- Full Service Option
The Full Service option offers a comprehensive, hassle-free management solution for a Padel Kiosk. Under this model, the Padel Kiosk team handles every aspect of the kiosk’s operation, including free placement and installation within Belgium. The team manages regular refills, maintenance, and repairs, ensuring that the kiosk remains fully operational without additional costs to the club. The kiosk operates with a contactless payment system, and the team monitors the kiosk online to ensure products are restocked and any technical issues are promptly addressed. Clubs benefit from a 20% commission on all sales and rentals, paid out every three months. This option ensures that clubs can focus on their core activities while enjoying the advantages of automated equipment rental and sales. The kiosk must be placed in an appropriate environment, with container solutions available if necessary.
In conclusion, AUTOKIOSK BV’s Padel Kiosk has successfully addressed the operational challenges faced by sports clubs in a post-pandemic era. By offering an automated, user-friendly solution for equipment rentals and sales, the company has not only reduced costs for clubs, but enhanced convenience for their members. As Padel Kiosk continues to grow across Europe, it stands as a model of innovation, efficiency, and customer-focused service in the sports industry.
To find out more about AUTOKIOSK BV and how Padel Kiosk can transform efficiency, please visit the company website: https://autokiosk.be/padelkiosk/