Massive Mitre 10 Mega Opens in Timaru

20 October 2010
News release

Massive Mitre 10 Mega Opens in Timaru, Bringing New Jobs And Boosting Local Economy

Timaru’s largest retail outlet opens on Friday, bringing with it new jobs and a major boost to the local economy.

The 8,849 sq m Mitre 10 Mega, on the corner of Arthur and Bank Streets, is part of a nationwide expansion by the country’s best-known home improvement brand.

The nine-month build provided hundreds of jobs for local tradespeople and the increased size of the store means 30 new jobs have been created, says Mitre 10 chief executive John Hartmann.

“Mitre 10 has been part of Timaru for more than 30 years and the new Mega store will be a key part of the CBD for decades to come. We’re delighted to be celebrating the opening with the people of Timaru and will be hosting all sorts of fun activities over Labour Weekend.”

New Zealand’s strongest man Levi Vaoga will be in-store between 10am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Owned by the Lye family, who also own the Mitre 10 Mega in Ashburton, the Timaru store has four times the stock of the previous outlet and now features lighting, whiteware, kitchens, bathrooms and storage. A café, playground, garden centre and drive-through timber yard are also part of the new Mega, which stocks about 40,000 products.

The new Mega is a ‘green’ building, with its lighting, air conditioning, building management systems and construction techniques all designed to improve energy efficiency.

“We’ve sought out worldwide best practice and these new components are being introduced across the Mitre 10 network. We estimate these changes will tens of thousands of dollars annually,” says Hartmann.

The Timaru Mitre 10 Mega is the 24th to open in New Zealand but that will quickly grow to more than 30 by the end of 2011, says Hartmann.

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

Started in New Zealand in 1974, Mitre 10 is about 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.

“Everyone in our network is focused on serving our customers across New Zealand and are strongly committed to their local communities,” says Hartmann.

ENDS

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