Specialist yarn manufacturer Woolyarns works with farmers to convert their rawwool into premiumyarns so farmers can create their own finished products. Woolyarns sales andmarketing manager Jimad Khan says it’s become a popular way for farmers to create new revenue streams since the pandemic when disruptions to traditional supply chains prompted farmers to seek innovative ways tomarket their wool. A good example is client Palliser Ridge, whichWoolyarns has been helping to produce yarn to make into beanies, scarves, blankets and even baby blankets. WOOLYARNS HELPS FARMERS SPIN GREATER VALUE Jimad says farmers need to understand from the get-go the potential of their particular wool andwhat products it might be suited for. "This is critical to understand before they start their journey and that is somethingwe can help them with. For example Palliser Ridge has lovely soft, fine wool so their wool is suited tomake a variety of different products." Jimad says the benefits for farms like Palliser Ridge is that rather than sellingwool as a commodity, they can create branded products with provenance stories that resonate with consumers seeking sustainable, traceable goods. Woolyarns offers state-of-the-art facilities capable of custom colour matching, loose stock dyeing and blending batches of up to 10,000kg of specialised natural fibres. The companyworks closelywith customers both pre- and post-sale, drawing on its vast machinery and product knowledge to ensure optimal results. Jimad says this collaborative approach has helped establish it as a customyarn provider with a global reputation. Sustainability forms a core part of Woolyarns' operations. It holds Gold certification for its Environmental Management System through Toitū Envirocare, a globally recognised organisation providing environmental certifications. The company sources only the highest quality raw materials and crafts yarns with human and environmental protection in mind, ensuring they meet European Union ReaCH standards. For farmers considering this route, Jimad says thatWoolyarns requires a minimumof 400-500kg of scoured wool to initiate a programme. The company then applies its yarn engineering expertise to extract the greatest qualities from the materials, creating custom products that range from classic textures to high-end luxury yarns. Woolyarns has a close working relationshipwith the NewZealand Merino Company and Jimad says although it does not actively pair farmers with opportunities tomake their wool into products that opportunities do pop up via its supply chain. "For example, one of our knitters we work closelywith is visited by large international retailers and they have looked into the opportunity of a full traceable product with a specific farm's wool for sweaters." Jimad says that as international consumers increasingly demand transparency in supply chains and sustainable production methods, Woolyarns' ability to help farmers create fully traceable products represents a significant opportunity for NewZealand's wool industry. By transforming rawwool into premiumyarns with unique qualities, it is helping farmers spin greater value from their flocks and weave new narratives.
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