AWTA Ltd announced that there would be no general increase in wool testing fees for the 2008/09 Season, commencing 01st July 2008.
Mr Michael Jackson, AWTA Ltd's Managing Director said:
“The board and staff of AWTA Ltd have worked hard to constrain costs and improve productivity over the past 12 months. As a result of these efforts, there will be no general increase in AWTA Ltd wool testing fees for Season 2008/09.”
AWTA Ltd introduced several innovative pieces of machinery and testing equipment into its wool testing laboratories during the year. One piece of equipment, designed by AWTA Ltd, has automated the preparation of wool samples for testing.
This instrument, coupled with the introduction of a different method of measuring yield components using Near Infrared analysis, has generated significant savings in energy whilst increasing productivity.
Driven by a Board of Directors compiled of key stakeholders from the wool industry, AWTA Ltd has a history of restraint with fees in charges for wool testing. Since 1994 the fee for an average 7-bale lot of wool tested for Yield & Micron and Staple Length & Strength has decreased by 8% while inflation has increased by 44% and wages by 60%.