Just days after launching its new online Looking for Wool sourcing guide, an online directory which will enable businesses to source wool and wool-rich products for both the apparel and interiors sector, The Woolmark Company has released five new introductory training manuals to assist in educating the retail and trade sectors about the benefits of Australian Merino wool.

The Woolmark was established in 1964 and is owned by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a non-for-profit company owned by over 27,000 woolgrowers.

Manuals

Currently available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian and Turkish, the free-of-charge level one manuals are:

• Introduction to Knitwear
• Introduction to Wovenwear
• Introduction to Men’s Suits
• Caring for your Merino Wool Sweater
• The Meaning Behind the Woolmark Logo

The Introduction to Knitwear and Wovenwear manuals briefly cover the technical aspects which must be considered when producing quality Merino wool knitwear and wovenwear. Both manuals cover the basic fundamentals of wool and follow the processing route from fibre through to yarn, fabric and garment production.

Caring for your Merino Wool Sweater and the Men’s Suits training manuals are primarily targeted towards buyers and retail floor staff, providing apparel care education and explaining why Merino wool produces the finest tailored suits.

The final training manual, The Meaning Behind the Woolmark Logo, explains what constitutes Woolmark, Woolmark Blend and Wool Blend, along with the various sub-brands introduced across the years.

“These training manuals have been produced to provide those new to wool with the basic fundamentals of apparel products made from Australian wool,” explains The Woolmark Company’s Group Manager Trade Education, Julie Davies.

Benefits for retail shop floor staff

“Retail shop floor staff will also greatly benefit, increasing their knowledge of the wool fibre and in turn pass this on to the consumer looking to make a purchase of a wool product. The Woolmark Company is planning to translate these introductory manuals into even more languages and will also produce higher level manuals for those involved in the manufacturing industry.”

To download the free-of-charge level one training manuals (pdf) visit www.woolmark.com/training-manuals  or to obtain a hard copy please contact The Woolmark Company.

The Woolmark was established in 1964 and is owned by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a non-for-profit company owned by over 27,000 woolgrowers. AWI’s vision is to be a significant contributor to a vibrant, stable and profitable wool industry providing the world with the best natural fibre. The company works throughout the global supply chain – from woolgrowers through to retailers. The company mission is to enhance the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wool industry; and increase demand and market access for Australian wool.

“Merino wool provides stability, resilience, softness and luxury to the tailoring industry. The fibre has long been a favourite of designers, but younger consumers, born in an era of ‘disposable’ fashion know too little about the natural benefits. Wool is a 100 per cent natural and renewable fibre. Sheep live on grass, water, fresh air and sunshine. Wool is a fibre that is grown – not man-made. Every year sheep produce a new fleece; making wool a renewable fibre source,” the Woolmark Company says.

www.woolmark.com    www.merino.com

Further reading

Woolmark to launch online sourcing guide