Welcome to Wool.com

What is The Wool Lab?

The Wool Lab brings together The Woolmark Company's global supply chain network. Each season, we reach out to the leading spinners, knitters and weavers across the world to source their latest yarn and fabric developments. With this, we curate a seasonal sourcing guide with a selection of the best commercially available yarn and fabric swatches, which can then be ordered directly from suppliers via The Wool Lab app.

More than 100 of the world’s best spinners, knitters and weavers contribute to The Wool Lab.

The Woolmark Company creates The Wool Lab twice per year, with one edition dedicated to Spring/Summer and on for Autumn/Winter. In response to global trends and consumer demand, two additional editions of The Wool Lab have been created: The Wool Lab Sport and The Wool Lab Denim.

Who sees The Wool Lab?

The Wool Lab is presented globally during the most important trade shows including, Intertextile (China), SPINEXPO (China), Best Knit (Japan), ISPO (Germany), Pitti Filati (Italy), Pitti Uomo (Italy), Première Vision (France) and Outdoor Retailer (USA). It is also presented at individual meetings to inspire and inform designers, manufacturers, retailers, fashion and apparel brands and fashion industry professionals.

The results:

• During the past strategic period, more than 3000 meetings were held with supply chain partners at which The Wool Lab sourcing guide was used.
• More than 71,200 swatch requests were made via The Wool Lab app
• Swatch requests have come from 74 countries
• Supply chain partners based in 31 countries

What happens at a trade show?

The Woolmark Company exhibits at the most influential international trade shows, affirming the brand's role as a leading authority in the fashion and textile industry. Showcasing the latest innovations in wool yarns and fabrics, knitting and weaving technology and revolutionary product design, trade shows cement Australian wool as a true fibre of the future. In addition to a trade booth, The Woolmark Company hosts seminars, one-on-one meetings and media interviews as well as connecting with like-minded partners to ensure collaboration throughout the industry.

Why do we exhibit?

Trade shows provide an important source of leads for continual business development as well as the opportunity to support our supply chain partners. In addition, it ensures wool stays relevant in the ever-changing industry.

The results:

• 54 trade shows in the past strategic period
• More than 4000 visitors to The Woolmark Company trade show stands in the past year

What is the Wool Resource Centre?

AWI’s first Wool Resource Centre opened in 2016 and is located in Hong Kong. It is a global hub for the fibre, textile and apparel industries to discover the wonders and versatility of Australian wool.

The Wool Resource Centre provides you with the research, knowledge and support you need most, from yarn cards, swatches and Woolmark licensing to the latest information on machinery, technology and supplier details. The overall goal is to share information with our partners about the natural benefits of wool so they can experience the fibre’s exceptional qualities and generate greater commercial and creative returns.

What happens at the Resource Centre?

A constantly changing schedule of events is designed to inform, excite and educate. An auditorium configuration can be created for presentations and panel discussions, while an exhibition mode allows for fashion and interiors exhibitions, art installations and more. The research library doubles as a workspace for visitors to the centre, and can also be used for meetings with guests. Australian woolgrowers visiting Hong Kong are also welcome to visit the Wool Resource Centre and utilise it as an office space for presentations or meetings.

The results:

• 5000 visits since opening in 2016
• A selection of key visiors includes:
• EDUCATION
  • Fashion Institute of Technology (USA)
  • Flinders University (AUS)
  • Queensland University of Technology (AUS)
  • University of NSW (AUS)
• BRANDS
  • VF Corporation
  • J Crew
  • Nagnata
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Calvin Klein
  • Brooks Brothers
• SUPPLY CHAIN
  • Apparel Networking Group
  • Aussco
  • Knitwarm
  • Santoni
  • Shima Seiki
  • Sudwolle Group
  • Xinao
• Following the success of the Hong Kong Wool Resource Centre, AWI will soon offer a similar service based out of the AWI office in New York City.

To make an appointment to visit the Wool Resource Centre, contact HKresourcecentre@wool.com

What are the wool development centres?

AWI has established three education and development centres in China, to support leading manufacturers innovate with wool and promote their product. The centres are a hub for knitwear and woven textile fashion trends, technological innovation, product development and promotion.

Where are they located?

AWI has co-established three development centres, all located in China

• Wool Education Centre (WDC) – Nanshan Group (weaver)
• Knitwear Development Centre (KDC) – XINAO (spinner)
• Wool Education Centre – Donghua University

Who are they for?

These centres have been aligned with key Chinese strategic partners to ensure that wool inspiration and education is available to their clients and students.

What is technology transfer?

AWI invests in and shares knowledge of the latest technologies which propel Australian wool into the future. Through technological transfer, AWI assists manufacturers to adopt innovative technologies that add significant value to their wool products.

Technological transfer differs from developed markets and emerging markets.

Developed markets:

AWI works in developed markets to identify and support market trends and new opportunity areas for Australian wool that can be adopted by existing and new manufacturing markets. AWI monitors and evaluates market trends and discusses opportunities with supply chain partners to create new business.

Emerging markets:

By identifying and working with new manufacturing partners in emerging countries, such as Vietnam, our aim is to support the shift of processing operations out of China, whilst at the same time creating new business opportunities and new demand for Australian wool.

Focus is on the establishment and growth of midstream processing, such as spinning, knitting weaving and garment making, with the overall objective of establishing new manufacturing supply chains to drive the demand for Australian wool.

The results:

• In the past strategic period, The Woolmark Company engaged with 155 industry partners, 53 of which were new
• Leveraging internal expertise and prior development and innovations, skills, techniques and developments were transferred to supply chain participants globally
• Recent commericalised product as a result of technology transfer includes: APL, Nagnata, P.E Nation and Outerknown.