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Apparelmaster Australasia Ltd is a 100% New Zealand owned family business.
The Apparelmaster Head Office team includes:
- Bill Ritchie – Owner/Director (left)
- Bevan Ritchie - Owner/Director (right)
- Susan Ritchie – Office support/admin
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The history of the Apparelmaster Group centres on Bill Ritchie, seen here on the left. In 1978 Taylor Bros Ltd brought the established American business, Apparelmaster, to New Zealand. Back then, Bill worked closely with Taylor Brothers head, John Taylor, looking at new initiatives to better serve the New Zealand drycleaning and workwear market. Later that year, the first Apparelmaster New Zealand business was formed, Taylors Apparelmaster, which was based in Wellington. The first customer was Edwards Panelbeaters in Rongotai and they are still a customer today. Over the years, Bill's role continued to change and expand. In the early 1980's Bill became General Manager of the entire Taylor Bros group, which included the now growing business of Apparelmaster. Throughout New Zealand, Apparelmaster business licenses were being sold, and all to existing and well established drycleaning businesses. The first license ever sold still remains with the group today - Sincerity Drycleaners Apparelmaster in Matamata.
In 1993, Bill took the next big step and purchased the right to be the sole exclusive Australia and New Zealand Franchise holder. Apparelmaster Australasia 1993 Ltd was officially formed, and it continues today under the same registered company name. Since its initial establishment, we are proud of the fact, that all earnings and profits are retained in New Zealand throughout the Apparelmaster group. By the late 1990's the group as you see it today was pretty well formed. The same network of Apparelmaster businesses has remained with the group for almost 20 years. With all this expansion, it was timely for Bevan (Bill's son) to join the family business. In 1996, Bevan became a joint license holder of Wellington Apparelmaster Ltd and he continues to be a partner in this business today.
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In 2006, the group formalised to more of a head office type structure, with Bevan joining the Apparelmaster Australasia team full time. Bill and Bevan are now the primary contacts for the Apparelmaster Group. They now jointly own and manage the nationwide business. Over the years the range of laundry and drycleaning services and workwear apparel has continued to grow and expand. Apparelmasters' focus, of meeting the needs of the changing markets requirements, is one of the many factors that sets the business apart.
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Apparelmaster is now NZ's leading launderer/supplier for technician/mechanics workwear. Nationwide, the group supplies and cleans branded workwear for many national chains of leading automotive brands. This includes Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Chrysler and Ford.
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Apparelmasters' license holders – selected on many factors, but in particular for their: known level of laundry and drycleaning expertise; commitment to customer service; and their experience with all aspects of running and managing a profitable service based business.
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Group commitment - every member of the group is committed to providing a total workwear and laundry solution for each of its customers. Over the years many licensees have remained with Apparelmaster, and we continue to operate as a family owned business. Many are now a 2nd or 3rd generation family owned business.
As a group, Apparelmaster understands the need to provide workwear and laundry services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Commitment, as always, is on providing a quality cleaning service, fully tailored to meet the requirements of each individual business. |
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Now, the established Apparelmaster head office provides an ongoing and active role to ensure the success of each individually owned and managed Apparelmaster business. This includes maintaining a nationwide and fully customised computer system; undertaking annual, nationwide audits to ensure all service standards are strictly maintained; assisting with national sales and marketing strategies; and establishing national policies that all group members adhere to, e.g. the Apparelmaster Environmental Policy. |
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The Apparelmaster Team 
