NZ Romney and Elders in wool partnership

Romney NZ Ltd and Elders NZ Ltd are pleased to announce they have entered into a support and supply relationship that will reap direct rewards for Romney growers. On behalf of the Romney growers group Elders has brokered a deal in the US with Everett Deneane Inc to sell Nepalese hand-woven rugs made of NZ Romney wool. Everett Deneane is a leader in the US luxury rug industry, facilitating sales and distribution to large retail outlets reports Scoop. The quarter-inch (15mm) pile rugs are a joint venture between Romney NZ Ltd and a group of Nepal based artisans and the luxury products are targeting the lucrative interior decoration market in the US. The CEO of Everett Deneane Mr Bob Ball said he had a long association with Nepalese wool flooring products and was proud to advocate these products. "They are great to have in your home and to live your life on and I'm excited to be able to offer this exclusive product to my customers," he said. After the NZ grown wool is inspected it is sent to Nepal where Nepali and Tibetan artisans add a small amount of Tibetan wool to increase even further the durability of the pile. The wool is hand-spun into yarn, dyed using eco-friendly dyes, sun dried, then woven into a rug by hand looms. Once finished, the rug is washed and the three dimensional designs are then carved into the pile. The made-to-order product has already gained interest from interior designers and luxury retailers in the US but there is plenty of room for growth. Currently over 90% of carpets and rugs sold in the US are synthetic but the recent trend towards sustainable and eco products as been a catalyst for retailers to move towards wool products. Romney NZ Chairman, Hugh Taylor is pleased that the relationship with Elders, which looks to add significant value to Romney wool produced from registered Romney sheep or those sired by registered Romney sires, has progressed to this stage.