US tariffs boost NZ wool carpet export opportunity
A 50% tariff slapped by the US on goods from India last month has opened an opportunity for New Zealand wool carpets exports to North America.
The company says the expansion marks a key stage in its return to full domestic production of its woollen yarns and a boost to local employment.
Bremworth chief executive Craig Woolford, says the investment is designed to ensure greater efficiency, product and quality control and significant lead time improvements, while avoiding excess capacity.
He says they plan to operate three shifts 24 hours a day, every weekday and will hire up to 40 new staff to accommodate expected demand.
"As a result of the cyclone, most of our Hawke's Bay facility was taken offline.
"To maintain carpet production, we introduced a hybrid yarn supply model which saw increased quantity of our yarns processed externally, including offshore. Rather than just reinstating everything, we've taken the opportunity to rebuild smarter - in the process, allowing us to ramp up yarn capacity as demand grows," says Woolford.
