NZ Yarn appoints new CEO

NZ Yarn manufactures and markets high quality wool spun yarns for the carpet industry worldwide.

McKenzie was most recently chief executive and managing director of Cavalier Corporation. He has extensive experience in the textile and manufacturing sectors, and for companies servicing local and export markets.

NZ Yarn is 100% New Zealand owned by Carrfields Primary Wool and several independent investors, who bought it from receivers in 2014. Executive chair, Ross Callon, has been running the business until this point. Callon was initially engaged for a six month term as executive chairman to develop the business strategy, organisational structure, policies and procedures of NZ Yarn which was incorporated to purchase the assets and business of Christchurch Yarns NZ, which was in receivership.

Despite challenging industry conditions, the business now has its highest level of forward orders for several years, has developed a plan to consolidate and upgrade the mill, and recently commenced staff recruitment to enable increased sales and production levels.

Carrfields Primary Wool, the major shareholder, has recently committed to increasing shareholder funding to enable the company to implement a number of growth initiatives as part of the next stage of the business plan.

With the successful appointment of McKenzie as chief executive, Callon is now able to dedicate time to his other business interests.

McKenzie is a highly experienced executive, and has extensive connections within the international textile community and has been actively involved leading business development in North Asia, North America, UK and Western Europe markets.

"Colin's appointment is a key milestone. He has the skills and expertise to deliver our business objectives, we are confident that the future of high-end yarn is positive, and I look forward to working with him," Callon says. He says that further work is planned to realign the factory.

"This investment is based on new business that we're winning, which indicates that demand for high quality yarn is strong."

McKenzie will also act as a consultant for Carrfields Primary Wool.