The Woolly Wedge was created by Under the Door Enterprises, a group of 10 students from Kavanagh College in Dunedin, as part of a Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) project.
The Woolly Wedge is a door stop made from New Zealand wool supplied by local farmer Tokofarms, recycled bicycle inner tubing, and wood.
“We study agribusiness and recognise the value of wool, both historically and for today and the future,” says Under the Door Enterprises chief executive Hayley Anderson.
“We know the wool industry is really struggling… with the price of wool falling right now from $5 per kg in 2017 to $2 per kg now due to global oversupply and changing consumer demand for wool.
“So, that kind of inspired us to make some type of product that was integrated with wool.
“We’re using the social enterprise Cargill Enterprises to make our products, which is essential to us as a YES business because we value community and keeping production locally.”
Anderson says the group was also inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic and the precautions that have come with it.
“…during Covid-19 alert level two, it was necessary to keep our classroom doors open for hygiene purposes, and we realised that the standard door stop that we had for the class just wasn’t really doing the job,” she says.
The product has been endorsed by big names in agribusiness like the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests, Federated Farmers, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
“I think we as a class are just a little shocked because it’s kind of taken off,” says Anderson.
Kavanagh College Agribusiness teacher Jill Armstrong describes the experience the students are having as “incredible”.
“They deal with top business people, they sit round the table to negotiate with Mitre 10 to get the deal and I’m so proud of them, they’re an incredible bunch of young people,” Armstrong says.
“The future’s in good hands if we can get young people like this who are prepared to take a few risks.”
Anderson says Under the Door Enterprises will continue to build their product line with the Woolly Mask, which aims to prevent sliding doors from closing on people’s hands, the Woolly Wind Stopper, and the Woolly Shield which is designed to prevent scratches on car doors.
She adds that a portion of the profits from Under the Door Enterprises will go to rural mental health programme Farmstrong.
“We are keen to give back to society from our profit,” she says.
