Two of Australia's newest wool brokering companies - Wool Solutions and Karee Wool - have jointly commissioned a new independent wool show floor facility in Melbourne.
Located on the site of DLP Logistics, in Laverton North, the new facility will provide both buyers/exporters and grower clients with a fit for purpose sample display location under the same roof as the wool testing and storage already offered on the site - ultimately creating further efficiencies.
"As both the Wool Solutions and Karee Wool businesses grow it was a natural progression to move to running our own show floor facility," Wool Solutions director, Alistair Calvert, said.
Mr Calvert said the Tasmanian-based company, which started operations two-and-a-half years ago, said it was a natural development.
"It's exciting particularly at a time when wool is facing challenges. We focus on the positives and do the right thing for our clients. This is the shop front for our customers - both buyers and sellers," he said.
This is the shop front for our customers - both buyers and sellers
- Alistair Calvert, Wool Solutions
"It's our opportunity to present our clients in the best possible light. As travel opens up we will be able to bring our customers over. We need to keep an eye on cost and this will give us the opportunity to do things ourselves and have a bit more control," he said.
Mr Calvert said the involvement of DLP Logistics fitted with the joint partner's ethos of using local business.
"The trade will respond well to the new floor - it's a bit more personal and we will have a few displays and some fleeces on display from our clients when we open," he said.
"While we are separate businesses entirely, both Karee Wool and Wool Solutions share the common philosophy of keeping overhead costs to a minimum while at the same time providing an environment for both buyer and seller that further enhances our standing within the industry," Karee Wool owner Alister Carr said.
Mr Carr said the investment from both companies was a show of confidence in the long-term future of the wool industry, despite a challenging trading period predicted.
"It also allows Karee Wool to continue its growth of the past financial year," he said.
Mr Carr said the coronavirus restrictions had forced a lot of extra work on he and co-owner Gen Butler.
The new show floor facility will begin displaying wool at the opening sale in the first week of August.
"We like that as two separate companies we can come together to take back some control from the large corporates and at the same time improve the level of service we can provide to our customers. We are also grateful for the role Darren Payne at DLP Logistics has played in making this happen," Mr Calvert said.
"Darren provides Karee Wool and Wool Solutions with fantastic service when it comes to testing and storage and by adding the show floor component the site it is a one stop shop."