Wednesday, 18 November 2020 09:55

Carpet maker's blast from the past

Written by  David Anderson
Bremworth claims its rebranding shows its recommitment to focus on 100% pure New Zealand wool. Bremworth claims its rebranding shows its recommitment to focus on 100% pure New Zealand wool.

Following its announcement earlier this year of quitting synthetics and only using 100% NZ wool, carpet manufacturer Cavalier Bremworth has now also changed its name.

In a back to the future move, the 60-year-old company is returning to its original moniker Bremworth.

“At the centre of the new brand is the focus on natural fibre design and innovation to make home interiors and our planet, healthier and more sustainable,” explains chief executive Paul Alston.

“A key pillar of the company’s long-term vision to be a global leader in designing and creating desirable, high performing, safe and sustainable interior products, is its recommitment to focus on 100% pure New Zealand wool.”

In July, the company announced it was exiting the synthetic carpet market – a move that will reduce its use of imported synthetic fibre by 2.5 million kilograms a year.

Alston says the immediate focus is on introducing new products such as its recently released felted wool carpet and promoting the “true worth” of wool and all-natural fibres.

“We are also investing in R&D, pushing the limits of what wool can do and looking at how we can innovate nature’s miracle fibre into a next-generation material. We are excited about the future and our change for good,” he adds.

“Going all-in on wool is the right move for our business, our customers, our local communities and the planet. Wool is durable, safe, natural, renewable and proudly produced in New Zealand. Experience shows that, for design, innovation and performance on the floor, you can’t beat wool, particularly New Zealand wool.”

Altson claims that since the July announcement that it was exiting the synthetic carpet market and returning to wool, it had been “blown away” by the positive feedback from retailers, customers and the rural sector.

“We’ve received fantastic support from the wider industry – with developers, designers and architects just as excited as we are about the direction the company is heading in.”

Meanwhile, Cavalier chairman George Adams says the company has taken the first few steps towards a natural, more sustainable future.

“Being authentic is important to us and our transformation runs much deeper than simply exiting synthetic carpet production,” he says.

“It’s about becoming transformative thinkers, being united in our beliefs, introducing disruptive innovation, creating new product categories and incorporating sustainability throughout our design and manufacturing process.”

More like this

On a mission to add value to wool

While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.

Bremworth opens retail store

In what is believed to be an industry first, wool carpet manufacturer Bremworth will open a retail store in Auckland.

Clarity wanted over wool directive

Meanwhile, a new Government directive to prefer the use of woollen fibres in its buildings has the potential to transform the rural sector, according to Bremworth.

Featured

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

An 'amaizing' season

It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

National

Ploughing Champs success

Sean Leslie and Casey Tilson from Middlemarch, with horses Beau and Dough, took out the Rural News Horse Plough award…

Farmers oppose work visa changes

Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

Machinery & Products

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Crazy

OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament…

More!

OPINION: As this old mutt suggested in the last issue, MPI looks a very good candidate for some serious public…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter