One of Australia’s largest, family-owned and operated wool brokers is celebrating 35 years and continuing to show growth.
Quality Wool, which has a strong link to Eyre Peninsula, has marked the milestone while also announcing the opening of a new store in New South Wales.
Managing director Mark Dyson has reflected on the celebration, notably that Quality Wool commenced operations just days before the scrapping of the wool industry’s Reserve Price Scheme (RPS).
“It’s amazing to think where we are today, from where we have come from. It was no fun starting a business, only to then have the RPS collapse and the whole industry turn on its head the following week,” he said.
“And yet we got through that difficult period and here we are today, in a strong position with a strong network and a great, passionate, specialised wool team located regionally throughout the country, and with our growers now receiving some of the highest prices for wool they have ever seen.
“We are now well positioned going forward and, compared with some others, we see plenty more opportunities in the sector going forward for us and growers, because of our unique system and our simple, hand-in-hand style of business with them that we continually hear is our point of difference.
He said he looked forward to a strong period ahead with producers for their sheep and wool.
“Twelve months ago (sale M38), the EMI (Eastern Market Indicator) for wool was 1246 (cents per kilogram) and recently it was 1751c/kg – that’s a 40 per cent increase. In US dollar terms, it’s gone from 794c/kg to 1296c/kg – a 57 per cent increase. And it’s not going to go back,” Mr Dyson said.
“There’s a lot of talk about renewables and we haven’t got any better fibre than what we have got with wool at the moment. And we have got this unit, that between the red meat protein and the fibre off its back, it’s a very sought-after item today.
“Most wool in China, from greasy to processed wool and through to yarn, is also being retained for domestic use. There is very little export, so our demand will continue.”
Mr Dyson said he was also invigorated for the future by the next generation taking the reins on farms, throughout the industry and across the Quality Wool business.
“I’ve already seen enough transitions for the industry, but I’m excited about the next ones coming and the opportunity for structural change into the future, which our industry needs to align with how the industry has changed today.”
“The younger generations on-farm and in the industry are so much more educated than many of us who entered the sector back in the ‘80s, and the increased sophistication and systems this is bringing to the industry for supporting growers is great.”
