8 Apr 2011

Wool company confirms support for a farmer buyout

1:34 pm on 8 April 2011

The new Board of Wool Partners International has confirmed its commitment to having sheep farmers take full ownership of the company.

WPI was formed in 2008 as a joint venture between farmers and PGG Wrightson, which provided the finance.

It reverted to PGW ownership last month, after the Wool Partners Co-operative failed to get the commitment it needed from wool growers to buy the assets.

The re-constituted board is chaired by PGG Wrightson managing director George Gould and includes farmer directors Jeff Grant, Mark Shadbolt and Bill Thomas.

Mr Gould says the Board, which had its first meeting earlier this week, was united in its commitment to help a Plan B grower proposal to acquire the company, including the wool exporter Bloch & Behrens and the Wools of New Zealand marketing business and brands.