Smarte Carte

Smarte Carte, Inc. is an American company based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.[1] It provides passenger and guest vending services such as self-serve luggage carts, electronic lockers, commercial strollers, massage chairs, and more.

Smarte Carte, Inc.
IndustryConcessionaire
Founded1967
Headquarters
White Bear Lake
,
Minnesota
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Arthur Spring (CEO)
ProductsLuggage carts
Electronic lockers
Massage chairs
Long-term baggage storage
Interactive kiosk
Strollers
ServicesVending
Websitewww.smartecarte.com

Operating in more than 3,000 locations around the world, its products are primarily found in airports, malls, theme parks, and ski resorts.

Smarte Carte’s original product was the self-serve luggage cart vending machine. It remains one of the company's main products to this day.[2]

Company history

In 1967, Jim Muellner of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was commissioned to design and build some of the first self-serve luggage cart vending machines. In 1970 Smarte Carte, Inc. opened its doors with self-serve luggage cart operations in Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Los Angeles[3].

For over 40 years, Smarte Carte has been a leader in self-serve luggage cart, electronic locker, strollers and massage chair operations. Solidifying their reputation as an innovator and self-serve leader as their list of products and services continues to grow.

Sustainability

Smarte Carte’s commitment to sustainability has been demonstrated through their use of recycled materials and remanufactured components. Since the late 1980s, they have made their cart frames from stainless steel, which has a long service life and is 100 percent recyclable.

Smarte Carte has also developed processes to remanufacture many of their products. By using remanufactured products, they are able to reduce waste and conserve up to 85 percent of the “value add” of the original manufacturing process.

Operations
A Smarte Carte luggage cart stand at San Jose International Airport

Smarte Carte operates in North America, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Their products are found in:

  • Luggage cart concessions at airports and major bus/rail stations
  • Electronic locker concessions at amusement/theme parks, indoor and outdoor water parks, ski resorts, entertainment centers, and transportation centers
  • Stroller concessions at shopping centers, amusement/theme parks, and zoos
  • Massage chairs at transportation, shopping, and entertainment centers
  • Wheelchairs at airports and shopping centers
  • Long-term baggage storage, baggage wrapping and excess baggage storage services at airports, malls and major bus/train stations

Current Ownership

In October of 2017, international investment firm 3i announced their first North American infrastructure transaction with an investment in Smarte Carte. 3i is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market private equity and infrastructure. Its core investment markets are northern Europe and North America. With 80% of Smarte Carte’s revenue derived within the U.S., the company is poised for additional domestic and international growth. 3i will appoint Greg Hart, Chief Operating Officer for United Airlines, as a non-executive director to the Smarte Carte board of directors (alongside two 3i directors), to help guide this future growth. For over 20 years, Greg has held various leadership positions at United Continental Holdings (NYSE: UAL) overseeing global airport operations, customer service, and technical operations.

Key Employees

Company Officers
  • Arthur Spring - Chief Executive Officer
  • Drew Niemeyer - President & Chief Operating Officer
  • James Meyer - Chief Financial Officer
  • Amanda Alwy - Chief Technology Officer
  • Steven Wagner - Vice President and General Manager, Retail
  • Thor Osteboe - Vice President, Airport and International Operations
  • Greg Schultz - Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  • Jason Campbell - Vice President, Human Resources

Business Development
  • Mike Multer - Director of Business Development, Major Airports
  • Paul Weitzel - Director of Business Development, Retail
  • Jon Graham - Director of Business Development, Lockers
  • Jena Barbian - Sr. Manager, Customer Planning & Development
  • John Lee - Business Development Manager
  • John Lui - Business Development Manager
  • Abby Johnson - Account Manager, Equipment Sales & Massage Chairs
  • Jackie Sura - Lead Account Manager, Planet Fitness & Happy or Not
  • Jodi Handlos - Account Manager, Planet Fitness

Acquisitions

Aviation Mobility in 2018

Based in Charlotte, NC, Aviation Mobility is a provider of legally mandated mobility equipment for special assistance passengers in the commercial air transport sector. The Company has established brand recognition in the industry for its comprehensive product and service portfolio.[4]

Central Specialties LTD’s Stroller and Stroller Vending Business in 2012

Based in Crystal Lake, IL Central Specialties LTD provides rental strollers and stroller vending services to shopping centers and other industries. The acquisition complements Smarte Carte’s position as the North American market leader in rental strollers and stroller vending services.[5]

Sit Back & Relax and First Class Seats in 2008

Sit Back & Relax based in Bedford, NH began doing business in 2004 and is the largest provider of massage chair vending services in the U.S. with more than 3,400 vending massage chairs installed at more than 500 shopping centers, fitness centers, and airports in the U.S.

Based in Racine, WI, First Class Seats pioneered the massage chair vending industry in 1994 and currently offers its vending massage chair services at 27 airports and more than 100 other commercial locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.[6]

Trivia
  • Smarte Carte is featured in the movie The Terminal with Tom Hanks. Hank's character Viktor uses the change left in Smarte Carte machines to purchase food.[7]

References
  1. Martin J. Moylan. "Smarte Carte Adds Services." St. Paul Pioneer Press. 10 January 2006. p. C1.
  2. Lisa Murray. "Smarte Carte's in the bad for Macquarie; Buys $370m luggage trolley company." The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 2006. p. 17.
  3. "Guest Services & Airport Concesssionaire | Smarte Carte". Smarte Carte, Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  4. "Smarte Carte Acquires Aviation Mobility - Smarte Carte, Inc". Smarte Carte, Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  5. "Acquisition of Central Specialties LTD's Stroller and Stroller Vending Business - Smarte Carte, Inc". Smarte Carte, Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  6. "Smarte Carte Announces Acquisition of Massage Chair Businesses - Smarte Carte, Inc". Smarte Carte, Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  7. Laura Bly. "Trapped in an airport?". USA Today. 17 June 2004.

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