Commercial wool tile range released

Wools of New Zealand has launched a new wool tile range for the commercial sector.

] by Kent caddick

The wool tile product is the culmination of an 18-month development programme designed to unlock opportunities in the commercial sector and drive greater value and returns for wool growers.

The company is initially targeting the commercial sectors in New Zealand, Australian and United Kingdom.

“We are seeing companies and other organisations wanting to ensure their premises are more sustainable and looking after the wellbeing of their people,” Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter said.

“The many beneficial natural properties of our wool tiles make them ideal for using in commercial spaces.

“Wool is a natural product, it’s biodynamic and helps keep buildings warm in cold spells and cool during hot weather.

“Wool is biodegradable, naturally flame and stain resistant, it’s allergy-free and naturally grown – rather than the fossil fuel- based fibres used in synthetics.

“Our tiles will be of interest to a wide range of organisations and commercial businesses, including the education sector, offices and retail.”

McWhirter said the price of the wool tiles was competitive in relation to the high end synthetic carpet tile market.

The first organisation to use the tiles was the Hillview hospital and retirement home in Te Kuiti, which has had them fitted in its care home and plans to also use them in new independent living and respite facilities.

Hillview is owned and run by a community trust. Local farmer and trust chair Claire Grainger said that as part of a rural community, the trust was keen to support farmers and use wool carpets in an upgrade.

“A lot of our trust members and people living at Hillview have connections to rural communities,” Grainger said.

“We wanted to support farmers and the properties of wool carpets make them ideal for use in a rest home as it’s a great product.

“A problem in the past was that wool carpets were much more expensive than synthetics but now they have become an affordable option.”

Wools of New Zealand has an agreement with leading retailer Flooring Xtra, as well as other independent retail stores, to market its wool carpets, which are now available at more than 150 outlets across New Zealand.

New product: Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter shows off a newly released commercial wool tile.

“Our goal is to make wool carpet affordable to Kiwi organisations, businesses and households,” McWhirter said.

“We are doing this through using modern high volume manufacturing operations and taking costs out of the supply chain while maintaining very high quality.”

• Mowing

• Baling and Wrapping

• Fertiliser Spreading

• Cultivation

• Roller and Direct Drilling

• Cartage

• Fodderbeet Harvesting

• Combine Harvesting

• Balage, Hay and Straw

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Rolling to steep sheep and beef unit at Ballance. We first applied at Functional Fertiliser mix in 2010 and have applied to 85ha every year since.

We have enjoyed outstanding animal health with both sheep and beef animals regularly achieving top prices at the local sales yards. Independent analysis showed our soil quality to be second to none.

– GRAEME AND JUDY OLSEN

Functional Fertiliser applications over four years have transformed our rotationally grazed pastures into a highly productive summer dominant clover sward.

The “fertiliser’ soft carbon combination brought our soil and pasture to life with amazing alacrity.

Our spring pasture growth supported a stocking capacity of 40 su/ha with the pastures still requiring topping. The Functional Fertiliser wrap around support service has been exceptionally helpful.

– LINDSAY

This stuff is amazing. I have clover coming up where there was none before, thanks!

– LANCE UNSWORTH

We have a small organically registered farm near Otaki specialising in cattle finishing. In the 8 years since applying Functional Fertiliser no nitrogen has been applied and the changes have been exceptional with very strong clover growth providing all the nitrogen required. It took a little time to kick in however our animal health has been exceptional with no lice or worms and very few vet bills resulting in a low cost easy to manage and profitable operation. The property is at least carbon neutral, and the pastures largely look after themselves. The stock agent says we fatten cattle quicker than others with two year old carcass weights of 280 – 300kg with the meat having exceptional flavour.

Our costs are 30% less, with 30% less labour required. We run fewer animals with a 30% increase in overall profitability. It’s an easy-to-follow system that is equally successful on both large and small operations. Functional Fertiliser really works. It sweetens the soil creating the ideal environment for mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes resulting in strong growth throughout the year.

– STUART PRITCHARD