NZ:Wool Partners Attracts European Wool Expert

Wool Partners, Chief Executive Iain Abercrombie announced today a key appointment to the position of European Market Manager for the company’s subsidiary Wools of New Zealand.

David Hammond joins the company from H Dawson where he has worked for the last 26 years, including 9 years as an Executive Director on their Board. Abercrombie says that the addition of Hammond to the team will strengthen both Wools of New Zealand and the already well experienced Bloch and Behrens trading team, who have been enjoying a strong trading year despite difficult international conditions.

“With David on board and with our experienced Wools of New Zealand staff we have some of the most extensive wool experience in the industry. David is excited to be joining us and shares our vision of what can be achieved by a market led approach. The power of linking the marketing reach of Wools of New Zealand with the supply and trading capability of our company is huge,” says Abercrombie.

Mr Abercrombie said that Hammond’s decision to leave H Dawson’s to join Wool Partners was a strong endorsement for the market led direction which the company is taking. Hammond will join the Wools of New Zealand team in the UK where he will focus on further market and brand development.

Abercrombie said that he takes great pride in the fact that Wool Partners is the very first integrated wool company in New Zealand. “This has been our vision since we started the company just over 7 months ago. To now have the capability to take wool from farm to market and to support that product in market is fantastic.”

We now have full reach to growers through our 30 strong procurement team, full logistics through New Zealand Wool Handlers, the largest auction platform in New Zealand, one of the slickest trading desks with Bloch and Behrens and the most comprehensive marketing arm that exists for strong wool anywhere in the world. “Not bad for 7 months work” says Abercrombie, “and this is just the start.”

Wools of New Zealand represents the brand that has been developed over the course of the last 15 years and has been an investment from New Zealand growers over that time. The decision by Wool Partners to purchase and effectively rescue the company was an easy one to make; it is a very strong brand at the consumer level with coverage in four continents with over 120 brand partners. Abercrombie said that the focus of the company now was on retention and growth.

The next stage in the process will be to enable growers to support and own the business. This will be effected through the offer to New Zealand growers of shares in Wool Grower Holdings Limited, which will become a grower owned co-operative.

“We have made sure that we have the structure in place for Wool Partners first before going to growers. What is critical is that the structure is complete, the brand is strong and the value that we can create is sustainable. Short term wins are not our focus, it has taken over 150 years to get the industry where it is and it will take a few more to turn the corner. This structure is the right one for the New Zealand wool industry.”

It is in growers hands,” say Iain Abercrombie, “don’t underestimate the power of this structure, what will fuel it will be the support of growers with their wool and with their capital.”

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Source: www.woolpartners.co.nz