One year on wool store has the right solution

The state’s only privately-own wool store facility is full and thriving a year after its opening at Western Junction near Launceston.

Wool Solutions, run by Rob and Alastair Calvert, has seen a constant flow-through of wool bales from around the state, from as far south as Dunalley to northern properties at Tomahawk and Gladstone.

Last week there were 5000 bales stacked around the 4000 sqm facility, the names of country’s best wool producers reflected in the shiny concrete floor.

Superfine Merino wool in the low 14 microns through to crossbred wool as course as 36 micron are all processed the same, although their sale prices are hugely different.

Rob Calvert said deliveries were constant, with a high receival period just starting to ease off.

“The autumn Merino shearing kept us busy along with the crossbreds and crossbred lamb shearing and it’s only a short lull until the spring shearing starts,” Mr Calvert said.

 “Everything has been operating as expected since we opened the doors and we have a great team here handling what is by far the best wool in the country.” 

The wool bales are sampled, tested, sold on the open market and once delivery instructions are received, shipped off to the buyer.

With industrial storage space costs at Melbourne wharf skyrocketing in recent years, the Calverts knew that it would be more economical not using third party wool stores.

They followed a nationwide trend to bring storage back to the regions where the wool is produced.

“It was a huge financial commitment but not a risky one – we knew how many bales we would be able to handle and the costs involved but we made sure the shed is just as big as we need and not overdo it.

“At times we think we’re going to run out of room but this past year has proven to be spot on.”

Mr Calvert feels for the Merino wool producers who are grappling with a depressed market.

“In that 16-19 micron area it’s a real challenge to get a fair price and of course these farms are dealing with increasing costs like everyone else,” he said.

“In comparison the ultra-fine space is going really, really well with any wool sub-14 micron cashing in on the global cashmere shortage and the constant demands of the high-end fashion industry. Tasmania punches well above its weight in this space so it’s fine for those who can capitalise on that.

“The market is forcing some farmers to make a decision about their enterprise and some might choose to join more Merino ewes to a terminal sire to produce fat lambs because that is where the money is at the moment but others are looking long-term and increasing their Merino numbers because they see this for what it is.

“There’s no lack of interest in wool as a fibre, we’re just feeling the pinch of uncertainty in global trade and low consumer confidence, especially in China. The market will turn but we just don’t know when.”

Wool Solutions has welcomed the recent 15 per cent increase in the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme Rebate as it continues to send its wool across Bass Strait – it’s still cheaper to ship wool to China than Melbourne.

The new $600,000 core line has been running well, putting through 100 bales per hour to make it the most efficient in the country.

That in large part comes down to the skills of a team of three operators who take the required number of samples from each lot, weigh the bales and then take core samples which are tested for micron, yield and a host of other qualities – all under the supervision of an Australian Wool Testing Authority representative.

When the results are back a sales catalogue is produced and the auction takes place in Melbourne.

Aside from the business end of Wool Solutions, the new headquarters provides comfortable new staff and meeting facilities and is also able to home and display its collection of historic wool-related memorabilia.