British wool industry urged to cooperate amid market turbulence

Collaboration and cooperation key for British wool’s future, the BWMB says
Collaboration and cooperation key for British wool’s future, the BWMB says

The British wool industry has said it will remain optimistic in turbulent market times, emphasising there are opportunities going forward for British wool but only if all parts of the wool industry collaborated and cooperated.

Last week’s British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) annual conference in Leeds showed the industry is still showing signs of innovation in the form of collaboration which had driven a resurgence in iconic wool products.

“We have seen a huge resurgence in Harris Tweed in recent years and this is largely due to a number of positive associations with leading fashion brands across the world," explained Mark Hogarth, creative director at Harris Tweed Hebrides.

Mark Hogarth, Harris Tweed addressing BWMB conference
Mark Hogarth, Harris Tweed addressing BWMB conference

“Capitalising on these relationships and collaborating with partners, such as Topman, which wouldn’t historically have been a natural fit for Harris Tweed will be key to maximising demand for woollen products going forward,” he explained.

“In wool we have a truly unique product which has a great future. It can be used at all levels in the fashion industry with great effect and can be used to create an immense variety of garments. We have to get the message out there more widely and promote wool as a modern fabric with a rich heritage,” added Mr Hogarth.

Delivering wool to the market

The cooperative theme was echoed by second speaker Paul Hughes of Standard Wool UK, who said the BWMB structure was a good example of a strong co-operative model for British wool producers.

“BWMB fulfils a unique role in the wool industry, serving both producers and buyers. From a producer’s perspective BWMB gives them strength and ensures they collectively carry selling power - staggering the flow of wool across the year BWMB is able to deliver wool to the market and manage a volatile wool market,” he explained.

“As a company we handle wool from a number of countries and without doubt the way BWMB manages the grading and sale of British wool is the best system for UK producers.”

Mr Hughes told delegates his company was committed to the British wool industry for the long-term. “As a buyer and supplier of greasy wool as well as a scouring in the UK, our customers are looking for quality wool every time they deal with us.

“When it comes to buying British wool we know our customers can be assured of its quality which gives them confidence their end product will meet the high standards modern consumers expect.”

BWMB chief executive Joe Farren said British wool is 'truly high quality, which is both versatile and durable, having a wide range of uses and offering many unique benefits.'

“Prices at our recent auctions have softened a little due to a drop in UK consumer confidence post-Brexit (impacting wool carpet sales) and a continued cooling of the Chinese economy with an accompanying swing in Chinese fashion away from our finer micron wool to merino types. While we cannot directly influence global prices, we will be seeking to handle producers’ wool more cost effectively year after year to maximise their proceeds,” Mr Farren concluded.