Supplier Success

THOMAS COOK BOOT & CLOTHING Co

Top Supplier to Frontline

Thomas Cook achieves $5 Million + through Frontline.

Thomas Cook began making boots out of an inner suburb of Melbourne in 1924. Who could’ve known that nearly 100 years later, this start-up would still be going strong? Synonymous with the Australian Outback, Thomas Cook has become an iconic representation of true Australian life. A symbol of endurance, mateship and nature, it has created its identity through generations of tradition ingrained deep within the spirit of the bush. Now a 3rd generation Australian family business, it continues to go from strength to strength, and it is obvious there is an affinity between the brand and our Members. By continuing to use a national network of reps, who call on even the most remote stockists (with Murray and Sue Cook often making trips themselves), they gain valuable feedback on their ranges, product gaps and opportunities. This in turn has led to burgeoning ranges and a frequent need for more warehouse space, so that there is plenty of inseason “stock lines”. This year for the THIRD year in a row, they are the top supplier to Frontline Stores, with sales in excess of $5 million dollars. Additionally, this year has seen an unprecedented growth of 53% - all terrific news considering the ups and downs of the last year. Murray Cook commented: “Both my Grandparents started in the footwear industry in 1924 and they would be so pleased that from their humble beginnings Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Company is now Frontline’s Number 1 supplier for the third year in a row. I was discussing this with Mum and Dad and Dad reminded me of our first meeting back in 1985 where we sat with Ron Mills (Frontline’s Menswear Manager) where we asked if Thomas Cook could become a preferred supplier. We offered the Frontline Group moleskin jeans, wool check shirts, heavy duty rain wear and footwear - so who would have thought over the next 36 years that basic range has extended into nearly 2000 sku’s that we now stock. This has only happened by continually growing our stock line program, increasing our seasonal ranges and offering more brands. It was truly rewarding that we would become the Number 1 supplier in 2019, and then maintain that position in 2020 but to increase our sales over the last very unpredictable year is truly rewarding. We would like to thank all the Frontline members for their continued support because you have made this happen”. Frontline co-CEO Glen, GM Deb and Menswear Manager Miro presented Murray and Sue Cook with a special award to commemorate this fantastic achievement. Congratulations!

For product queries, phone 03 8872 7272.

Amy Pang

Business Owner WOOLSTAR

HOW WOOLSTAR HAS PIONEERED SUSTAINABLE AUSSIE WOOL FOR 25 YEARS In the past 25 years, Woolstar has set the benchmark for sustainable Australian wool products, and it’s not gone unnoticed. The brand now exports its range of quilts, pillows, blankets and accessories globally - with every single product fully traceable back to the farm where the fibres came from. Woolstar is the brainchild of Graeme Kerr, who left his career in business consulting in his late 40s with a dream to become a major exporter of a quality Australian product. What that product was, he had no idea. Then, one day, he heard about a surplus of wool in a warehouse in Sydney. Despite having never worked with wool before, Graeme knew this was an opportunity not to be missed. “I knew that Asia loves all things Australian, as well as anything wool,” he explains. “So I made a few samples and went from there.” Today, Woolstar continues to export most of its products to Asia, but also Russia, the UK, Europe, and - most recently - a major US retailer. BECOMING A WORLD-LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE WOOL From that very first fateful moment, Woolstar has focussed on innovation, quality and sustainability. Every product is free from harmful chemicals and the brand’s Farm2Shelf concept allows consumers to trace the origins of their products. “So many competitors seem like they’re Aussie produced and made,” says Graeme. “But they’re actually made overseas. We wanted to make sure there was traceability. We wanted to show that our products are real.” One thing is for sure. This is about more than just marketing. The Farm2Shelf concept means that there is no room to hide across the entire lifecycle of the product. The farmers themselves endorse the product and have become integral to Woolstar’s success. It’s certainly a step-change from when farmers sold to brokers, with no idea where their product ends up. “If a farmer knows what their wool is being used for they’re super excited and want to know more,” says Graeme. “It becomes about more than just growing wool. They’re part of the story.” The Farm2Shelf concept is a milestone on what Graeme refers to as the brand’s ongoing sustainability journey. “Wool is inherently more sustainable than other fibres,” he says. “It returns to the earth in six months. But there’s more to do such as other elements of the product, packaging, recycling, and transport.” THE FUTURE IS GREEN - AT HOME AND ABROAD Whilst Graeme is proud of Woolstar’s past, his focus is solidly on the future. Sustainability remains the core focus, with increasing interest in quality, ethical wool products at home and abroad proving that Woolstar won’t be slowing down anytime soon. “It’s always confused me why Australian Made products are in greater demand overseas rather than at home,” observes Graeme. “But we’re now getting more orders from Australian retailers and consumers who want to buy products that are good for the environment and good for their health.” Graeme equates some of this homegrown interest to COVID, which he believes has given Australians an epiphany about buying local. To cope with this growth, Woolstar is currently investing in new machinery which will increase the company’s output by up to five times whilst also minimising waste by recycling fibres directly back into the products. But the biggest focus for the future is the farmers - and of course, their sheep - who form the backbone of everything that Woolstar does. “We want to solidify existing relationships and develop even more with Australian farmers across the country,” says Graeme. “We want them involved in our product and in our story and to grow at the same time as we do.” If the past 25 years is anything to go by, one thing is for sure. Whatever Graeme and his team put their minds to, there is no doubt that they will make it happen. For product queries, phone

AMY PANG | WOOLSTAR