August 2023
Preens is one of 17 industrial energy users to receive co-funding through the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (Gidi) fund to help reduce the use of fossil fuels.
May 2017
Preens was featured in the ODT business section for the 2016 & 2017 developments to its business and the expansion into providing Linen & Towel rental for the tourism sector.
Click here to view the article from the ODT
19th & 20th August 2015
Preens Linenmaster supported the 2015 MANZ Conference (Motel Association New Zealand) in Dunedin. Linenmaster NZ had a stand with samples of all our products as well as Chris & Glenn from our sales team maninng the stand. It was great to see some old and new faces and to hear that the Moteliers are really positive about the summer tourist season ahead.
30th March 2015
The 2015 Safer Journeys Expo, previously Drive to Survive, is a local community initiative run for school kids that are about to start driving. The programme is run by the NZ Police, NZ Fire services, St Johns Ambulance and volunteer support.
Preens Apparelmaster's Targa Rally sponsored Porsche with its full roll cage, race seats, safety racing belts and other safety features, was perfect for emphasising the huge difference between a modern day road car and a $2,000 banger.
During the Expo students are also exposed to a frighteningly realistic crash scene, where actors play out the roles of victims in an actual crashed vehicle. NZ Fire and St Johns cover their individual roles by providing rescue support to the actors. The outcome is that one actor is pulled from the vehicle and taken away in a body bag. It's a hard hitting formula that sends a very powerful message to all drivers, but in particular young new drivers.
The program is run over 3 days and has up to 350 students per day go through many aspects of driving, cars in general and road safety
Click here to view related article from the Otago Daily Times
11th November 2014
Winning the Sustainability Category at this years Westpac Otago Business Excellence Awards came as quite a shock, admitted company director Rick Wellington. “Not only was this our first entry in the awards, but we were up against some other well-deserving competition” Rick said. “Although we have been incredibly focused on improved sustainability across the entire business over the last couple of years, to get the judges nod over a dedicated eco-lodge and a community wind farm, was humbling and hugely encouraging”.
Preens Apparelmaster are now in their second year of involvement in the In-Step Carbon and Sustainability programme and have already gained Silver Certification. The last report for the 2014 Dec to Feb quarter, noted usage of LPG had dropped by 11% - lowering carbon emissions by 6%.
The judges were also impressed with Preens commitment to the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and solvents. And also the multiple uses of water. Used initially for cooling the drycleaning machines, once heated the now warm water is used in the washing machines. Residual solvent and soilng removed from the machines is sent to Christchurch for industrial processing to save any solvent. This is then resold to industrial drycleaners for cleaning workwear.
At retail level Preens are also impressing upon their customers to join their sustainability programme by encouraging them to return their coat hangers for re-cycling. Preens also use bio-degradable poly bags for the return of customers garments.
“It sounds a bit cliché” commented Rick, “but this award recognizes the effort all the team at Preens have put into sustainable practices”. To this point Rick added that Preens have a dedicated employee led committee looking at ways to constantly improve sustainable practices in the factory and stores and to oversee our recycling programme. Currently under evaluation is a wood chip fired steam boiler to produce hot water and hot air for their dryers and other equipment around the factory. Preens are also working through their factory layout, with a view to finding more room to install equipment with even greater efficiencies to reduce water.
Follow link for related Otago Daily Times article http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/325844/greener-dry-cleaner-winner
