Gouge Linen and Garment Services, a family-operated venture in Mooroopna with 450 staff, has provided linen to Crown Resorts since 2020.
According to chief executive John Calleja, this alliance has generated substantial employment prospects in regional Victoria.
“Working with Crown has given us the ability to expand our operations across Victoria and provide employment opportunities for people that we never would have been able to before,” Mr Calleja said.
He also underscored the financial stability offered by Crown amid economic adversity, such as escalating production expenses and inflation.
“It’s a tough time for smaller businesses at the moment; people are struggling with increases in production costs, interest rates and inflation — we’ve seen significant rises in utility and labour costs,” Mr Calleja said.
The alliance has fortified Gouge Linen’s standing and also paved the way for collaborations with other prominent motel chains.
“Crown’s reputation in the industry is significant, and being their supplier brings recognition,” Mr Calleja said.
“Their service expectations are very high, and meeting those has been great for us.”
During the devastating 2022 Goulburn Valley floods, Crown extended vital assistance and vouchers to impacted employees and the community, showcasing its dedication to local areas.
Crown Resorts chief executive Ciarán Carruthers expressed pride in the report’s findings, stressing the significance of alliances with small to medium-sized enterprises such as Gouge Linen.
“Crown’s reputation for high-quality products and services is bolstered by the support of the nearly 4000 suppliers we collaborate with nationwide,” Mr Carruthers said.
“Annually, Crown injects $1 billion into these partnerships through our supply chain, enabling businesses to grow, increase their workforce, and navigate challenging weather conditions or economic climates.”
