ANEW HOTELS & RESORTS LAUNCHED FROM A DEEP-ROOTED FAMILY BUSINESS WHICH ORIGINATES FROM 1952. THE ANEW BRAND HAS TAKEN MUCH TIME, THOUGHT AND PREPARATION WITH A LONG-TERM VISION THAT SEEKS TO DEVELOP A FRESH TAKE ON OLD FASHIONED HOSPITALITY VALUES. THE GROUP BOASTS A PROPERTY PORTFOLIO OF 10 HOTELS AND LODGES IN 4 OF OUR BEAUTIFUL PROVINCES IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Being environmentally conscious plays an important role in the Groups sustainability management plan. The OTEK system complements the ANEW Group’s Energy and Water savings drive.
Kevin Burley, Operations Director at the ANEW Group was generally satisfied with the ANEW laundry operations. However, this did not stop him from taking on board the free demonstration from Ozone Technologies as it is important for him to explore any opportunity that has the potential to increase efficiencies and reduce operating costs.
The Demonstration period involved taking daily readings along with constant monitoring of the impacts of the OTEK system on water and energy as part of the data collection activity. Once the latter activity concluded, management was able to make a calculation of the cost savings.
Ozone Technologies was on hand every step of the way of the OTEK demonstration phase to answer any questions concerning the technical nature of the installation and diligently guide ANEW’s management and laundry operators through each aspect of the testing procedures.
With energy issues on everyone’s mind, it is worth highlighting that the ANEW Group expects to derive potential monthly savings (based on current figures) of 81% following the utilisation of the OTEK system earlier this year.
Kevin Burley said that feedback from his laundry teams and management were very positive about OTEK. At his Ingeli Lodge his laundry team invited him to go and feel how soft the towels were. He also told us how happy he was to work with a company that did not take advantage of sites that were not going to benefit from the OTEK systems. OTEK believes in Honesty and Integrity and that is hard to find these days.
The OTEK system allows the ANEW Group to use less electricity, less water and less chemical in their operations. Apart from the reduction in utility costs Kevin soon realised that with the shorter wash cycle times it meant being able to reduce the labour time factor associated with running the laundry for each lodge and hotel; another way of reducing operating costs. As an example, the OTEK cycle time for sheets and towels is now 35 minutes compared to the previous wash cycle time of 60 minutes – a very significant productivity saving.
According to Lindi Kubeka (GUGU) from ANEW Hluhluwe: “Housekeeper work time can now be focused on other important aspects of the daily workload, thus making it a ‘win-win’ for both management and staff. Our laundry operation is relatively large consisting of 2 washers and 3 dryers so it makes sense to maximise the throughput of each load. It appears the OTEK system will prove significant in the long run for our lodges’ operating costs.”
Kevin has been happy to share how impressed he is with the system and the team at OTEK – so much so that he had the system rolled out throughout the ANEW Hotels and lodges. He further mentioned how impressed he was with how quick the national rollout was.
