Blue Bombers new automated merchbot has deep Manitoba roots – Winnipeg [Video]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to kick off their 2025 season on Thursday and a new addition at Princess Auto Stadium is ready to make its debut as well.

The club’s new ‘merchbot’ in the stadium’s concourse will be helping Bombers fans get decked out in blue and gold attire. While the automated merchandise machine is a new addition to home games for the Bombers, the company that built it, Vidir, has deep roots in Manitoba.

The company, founded in 1979 in Arborg, Man., has a long history with co-owner Carissa Rempel’s family.

“It (Vidir) started with my grandfather who saw a need in the area for both good employment for machinists who were moving to the area — immigrating from other countries — as well as a need for a machine shop in the area,” Rempel told Global Winnipeg.

Most of Vidir’s storage products continue to be manufactured …