Coles signs 10-year building maintenance contract

Coles has signed a 10-year agreement for the maintenance of its supermarkets, Coles Express outlets, liquor stores and distribution centres across Australia. The long-term contract with facilities management company City Holdings will include all building-related maintenance, including refrigeration and air conditioning.

Coles’ partnership with City Holdings first began in 2009, with City Holdings undertaking refrigeration maintenance in supermarkets. It has since expanded to cover all maintenance in supermarkets, liquor outlets, Coles Express outlets and distribution centres as well as monitoring energy usage.

With the relationship now secured, Coles Managing Director John Durkan said City Holdings will help to drive further improvements in store maintenance, energy use and food safety over the next decade.

“City Holdings is a unique, trusted partner who is helping us to continually improve the maintenance and energy efficiency of our stores,” he said. “Our store teams regularly provide positive feedback about the important role their dedicated City technician plays in delivering a great customer experience for stores.”

During the past seven years working together, Coles and City Holdings’ achievements have included:

• an 84% improvement in refrigerated stock losses;
• a reduction of 57% in carbon dioxide emissions from lower refrigerant gas usage;
• joint development of the first supermarket in Australia with 100% natural refrigeration and cooling;
• a reduction of nearly 30% in the cost of store maintenance as a percentage of sales;
• ongoing energy reduction, with the development of a world-class energy centre that monitors store energy usage 24 hours a day.

“We’re delighted to sign this new contract with Coles, which means long-term security for our team members and suppliers, and a great opportunity to further develop a world-class maintenance partnership,” said City Holdings Australia CEO Chris Winchester.