Fleeces fly again at Napier's WoolWorks

Woolworks, New Zealand's largest wool scouring plant, has successfully rebuilt and resumed operations after being severely affected by Cyclone Gabriel in 2023. Located near Napier, the factory processes over 150,000 kilograms of greasy wool daily, primarily sourced from farms across the North Island. Chief Executive Rosten Maisie highlights the facility's resilience and efficiency, noting that it now operates around the clock to meet demand, particularly during peak shearing seasons from December to March.

The factory employs advanced technology, including a new German wool press, to streamline the scouring process, which involves washing, drying, and packaging wool from approximately 50,000 sheep each day. Woolworks plays a crucial role in preparing wool for export, with about 85% of its output sent to international markets, including China, India, and the United States, where it is transformed into various products such as carpets, insulation, and acoustic panels. The facility's recovery from the cyclone has not only improved its infrastructure but also enhanced its capacity to serve a growing market for sustainable natural fiber products.

After devastating cyclone damage, WoolWorks' Napier plant is humming again, transforming fleece from hill country shearing sheds into the clean, dry, pressed, product ready for carpet makers and other manufacturers. Country Life takes a tour.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Rosstan Mazey and Tony Cunningham Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details