One example of smart business has come from PMG Auckland contractor Off The Ledge. The firm specialises in high-rise abseiling to clean windows, wash buildings and conduct maintenance for commercial properties. They have felt the pressure in recent months due to Auckland’s water crisis, so they have set about crafting a long-term solution.
“We have been creative in looking at ways to navigate through the current water restrictions and a potential dry summer into 2021,” Director and Founder Peter Howcroft says.
Until recently, Off The Ledge has collected water from non-portable water stations around Auckland to use on their clients’ buildings. But now these stations are sometimes out of water or the quality has been too poor to use on buildings; not to mention the extra driving and labour add up.
“Our immediate response to the drought has been to set up our own rainwater catchment system,” Peter says.
Peter’s wife Lynnie is a product designer and proposed using the Off The Ledge office premises to capture rainwater as a solution to the problem. It has a 280 sqm roof that they are using to funnel water into eight 1000 litre tanks stored onsite, which only take a few days of solid rainfall to fill.
To transport the water to their client’s buildings, their vans have welded restraints to carry the tanks. Using their light truck that carries two 1000 litre tanks, they drive around to site and fill up the crew’s tanks as needed.
The plan is to upgrade to slim 5000-litre tanks and run one against each wall of their premises as a more streamlined option for their system.
Off The Ledge is also looking to bring their new initiative to market for businesses and property owners like PMG. It would mean installing these tanks for clients so they can utilise their own building’s rainwater for cleaning purposes and irrigation.
“We have been working with Off the Ledge for over 10 years, who are our trusted and preferred contractors,” says PMG Head of Facilities Management, Simi Mukherjee. “They have sound health and safety systems in place, which is crucial for the high risks this business entails.”
“We are very impressed with their innovation to create their own rain harvest system, which aligns with our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives of conserving natural resources and effective utilisation of water.”
Learn more about Off The Ledge here.
With a range of investment funds to suit New Zealanders of all ages and stages, it's easier than you may think to invest. Give one of our knowledgeable pmg Investor Relationships Managers a call for a no-obligation chat, or visit our FAQ page.
To start investing with PMG, register your contact details via phone or email. Alternatively, make an enquiry via our contact form and we’ll have someone from our Investment Relationships Team meet you.
Watch PMG’s history video to learn more about our approach to commercial property investments, along with the five funds within the company. We encourage you to speak with a friend or family member who knows us, and we also recommend you chat with a Financial Advice Provider for specific advice to suit your unique situation.
Look through our current investment offers to find the right PMG fund to suit you. After downloading, carefully review the associated Product Disclosure Statement(s) for the offer(s) you’re interested in. Investing with us is straightforward – either apply online using our secure and confidential investor portal, via the printable form on each fund page, or reach out to your local PMG office to fill out the relevant paperwork.
Our lines of communication are always open. If you have any questions, reach out to your local PMG Investor Relationships Manager. Whether it’s a general catch up or discussion around the latest developments with your investment, we’re here to help.
