AWI works to increase demand for wool
Research, development and marketing organisation Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) recently reported on a year of change and progress at its annual general meeting. The meeting heard how progress was being made across key areas identified by woolgrowers: flystrike prevention, lice, wild dogs and shearer and shedhand training.
Chairman, Wal Merriman, said that AWI had reduced its annual operational and project spend from $85 million to $44 in two years, with an operating surplus of $16 million for the 2009-10 financial year.
Speaking about the future of the wool market, Mr Merriman said: “We are working to increase demand for wool. This is being done according to the 70/30 off-farm/on-farm spending split woolgrowers so strongly endorsed at WoolPoll. With the first major marketing campaigns in over a decade now underway and strong reserves to fund research and development, I am very optimistic for the future of this great natural fibre.”
AWI CEO, Stuart McCullough, spoke about the role woolgrowers have played in helping plan the transition of the company to a commercially-focused organisation.
“Under a new strategic plan, AWI is increasingly in partnership with processors, brands and retailers who want to use wool. These partnerships are aided by our off- and on-farm research and development, which works to increase the profitability of growing wool.”
