Woolly or wishful thinking?

The latest rescue plan is driven by those who seem to have access to Wools of New Zealand's intellectual property. To those who have watched the tragic demise of the Wool Board the latest call to arms may sound familiar.

There is a recycled look about those promoting what will be called the Wools of NZ Trust. The story that accompanies the promotional document could prompt a 'same-old same-old" response. But this may be unfair.

Many of those involved with Wools of NZ Trust were enthusiastic supporters of Wool Partners, which started out brilliantly but failed to get the numbers. If nothing else the Wool Partners campaign should have shown potential flaws in any exercise aimed at getting farmers to voluntarily front-up with money.

Wools of NZ Trust's and Wool Partners' mission aimed at uniting strong-wool growers from the wool shed through to the marketplace. The back-up information is extensive (85 pages), emphasising the likelihood that time is running out.

Strong wool, in the lucrative flooring market, now makes up about 2% of the world's wool; New Zealand wool makes up about 0.6 % of this market. However, there are huge opportunities to expand New Zealand wool in countries such as China with a growing, wealthy, middle class who are prepared to pay extra for quality.

The Wools of NZ Trust prospectus lists a range of considerations; the key requirement seems to be how to activate strong-wool growers. While noble visions and fine mission statements all sound great, farmers, are the ones to be persuaded to buy into something that isn't revolutionary, but evolutionary.

Timing can be essential. It was unfortunate timing that helped sink Wool Partners. Before its prospectus came out, prices in the market place increased. Out in the other world there were wool brokers and exporters handling about two thirds of the country's strong-wool clip. They could claim to have helped lift prices.

Sadly, after the failure of Wool Partners plan, prices for strong wool declined. But for some there were still some good bits worth revisiting and instead of failure the approach should be seen as an industry at the crossroads.

So the new model is born with Wools of NZ on the letterhead. My mates are generally negative, possibly because there is still a cost. Growers will be expected to buy a minimum 5000 $1 shares in Wools of NZ, based on one share/2kg of greasy wool produced. There will also be an annual 15c/kg levy (called a commitment) on all wool produced.

Wools of NZ Trust aimed initially to collect $10 million. It could still get up and running on $5 million.
However, there are some mates who congratulated Wools of NZ Trust on their efforts and who already have their chequebooks out. These positive folk know it is a long shot, but are reassured to find people out there still who feel passionate about wool. They agree this may the last chance for strong wools to move out of the bargain basement market and into the high value sector where they belong. Failure to act now will mean more dairy conversions and forestry blocks.

My positive mates suggest the amount of money involved is not onerous and will be an excellent investment if the Wools of NZ Trust succeeds. - John Stirling