Home / Knowledge / News / Textiles / Tasmanian woolgrowers to benefit from strategic alliance with TMC

Tasmanian woolgrowers to benefit from strategic alliance with TMC

04
Dec '08

Tasmanian woolgrowers will benefit from a restructure of the Waverley Woollen Mills business and a strategic alliance agreed to recently with The Merino Company (TMC), the new interim CEO, Peter McDonald, said.

Speaking at the formal launch of the new Waverley business yesterday, Mr McDonald said Waverley had appointed a new management team with substantial textile experience in domestic and international markets.

“Waverley is already an iconic brand that benefits from its close and long association with Tasmania, known throughout the industry as a consistent producer of the finest merino wool,” he said.

“Importantly, our new structure, and the strategic alliance signed with TMC, will not only strengthen the company's wool supply agreements with growers, but it will allow us to take our products and Tasmanian wool into new international markets.

“This is not only good news for our business but a positive story for the Tasmanian wool industry and the broader Tasmanian community.”

Mr McDonald, a mechanical engineer specialising in textile technology, has more than 30 years experience in the textile industry. He is a Director/Shareholder of Ramsay McDonald Group, a textile engineering and technology supply company, that has supplied much of the technology introduced at Waverley over the past 15 years.

“I am obviously very familiar with the Waverley operation and look forward to working with the new management team and all employees going forward to maximise production capacity and quality,” Mr McDonald said. “Waverley is already producing a world-class product.

“It is early days, but we have identified some efficiencies that can be introduced into the production process to help realise the full potential of the business.”

Mr McDonald has been joined at Waverley by Product Development and Marketing Manager Leah Paff and Production Manager Neville Giles. Ms Paff has more than 17 years experience in the textile industry, and for the past nine years worked for The Woolmark Company most recently in the capacity of Global Director of Interiors.

Mr Giles has worked in the textile industry for nearly 40 years. He has a thorough understanding of manufacturing and production and has worked for some of the world's largest textile companies.

Mr McDonald also announced timing details of the popular pre-Christmas Waverley sale.
“While full sale details will be advertised through the local press and radio, the sale will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday next week,” he said.

The Merino Company

More The Merino Company News... More Textiles News - Australia...