Green Mitre 10 To Deliver Huge Energy Savings

30 September 2010

News release

Green Mitre 10 To Deliver Huge Energy Savings

One of New Zealand’s largest and most efficient retail stores opens in Auckland tomorrow (Friday 1 October), with the launch of a massive “green” Mitre 10 Mega.

 The 10,000 sq m Mt Wellington store is opening three months ahead of schedule and will be 30% cheaper to run than similar outlets.

Mitre 10 chief executive John Hartmann said the nationwide retailer had spent more than a year investigating the most energy efficient equipment and systems to include in its outlets.

“We’ve sought out worldwide best practice and, starting with Lunn Avenue in Mt Wellington, these components will now be introduced across the Mitre 10 network. We estimate these changes will tens of thousands of dollars annually.”

Lighting, air conditioning, building management systems and construction techniques have all be reviewed and upgraded to improve energy efficiency.

“In one instance, we tested the durability, design, efficiency, maintenance and value of a variety of lighting fittings and have chosen one manufactured in Christchurch as best suited to our needs. In another case, we have had a new skylight specifically designed for Mitre 10 which is significantly better as holding heat in and out of stores.

“With all this in place, we calculate we will save about 30% on existing energy consumption levels, which will result in significant cost savings,” said Hartmann.

Scott Adams from Carrus Corporation, which has developed and owns the new Mt Wellington building, said the company was pleased to be working with a New Zealand retailer that took energy efficiency so seriously.

“This has been a fantastic project to work on as Mitre 10 has been totally committed to making the new Mega as efficient and green as possible.”

The Lunn Avenue store is part of a major expansion by Mitre 10 which will see another 10 Megas open throughout New Zealand in the next year, said Hartmann.

“These stores will create about 1,000 new jobs throughout the country and involve a total investment of $150 million.”

The new Mt Wellington Mega stocks 40,000 products, including full kitchen and bathroom displays, and also offers a café, garden centre, children’s playground and building materials drive-through. It alone will create more than 120 new jobs.

It is owned and operated by Raymond and Dennis Yee, who have been part of the Mitre 10 group for more than 20 years. They currently own the Mitre 10 stores in Mt Wellington and Mt Roskill.

Started in New Zealand in 1974, Mitre 10 is more than twice the size of its nearest competitor, with a total of 110 stores nationwide, 3,500 staff and sales close to $1 billion a year.

“Our network is 100% owned and operated by Kiwi families who are committed to their local communities and who reinvest all of their profits right here in New Zealand. Not many other major retailers can make that claim,” said Hartmann.

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