Becoming a Better Leader Interviews

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Define, challenge and conquer the BIGGEST issues facing you as an early stage entrepreneur or founder. With powerful episodes from the world's finest business experts, each episode challenges one specific issue and provides detailed, actionable takeaways that you can implement immediately within you…

Mark Asquith, Rebel Base Media


    • Nov 29, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 118 EPISODES
    • 2 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from Becoming a Better Leader Interviews

    An Update on the Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 1:05


    Hey, Mark here with a quick update about this evergreen interview series and my other podcast, The Podcast Accelerator (https://www.markasquith.com/listen).

    #126 Nan Bray about sheep nutrition and land conservation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 75:15


    Nan Bray is a sheep farmer in Tasmania where she runs her company White Gum Wool. In this Wool Academy Podcast interview, Nan explains her three commitments of excellence in sheep nutrition, conservation land ethic and thoughtful animal welfare.

    #125 Sophie Holt about animal welfare on farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 53:19


    Tom and Sophie Holt raise Dohne Merinos on their farm Coonong Station in Australia. Coonong Station is RWS and Authentico accredited as well as being the only Australian wool producer to be Certified Humane. Coonong station is a declared native wildlife sanctuary and also operates a kangaroo rescue, rehab release facility and is all WIRES certified for native wildlife rescues and rehabilitation. Sophie is studying to become a Master of Science in International Animal Ethics, Welfare and Law through the University of Edinburgh. In this podcast episode, she explains how animal welfare is practiced for all animals living at Coonong station.

    #124 Nora and Viktor Jelinek about the value of story telling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 37:04


    Nora and Viktor Jelinek run a business by the name Visual Narrative. They are specialised in helping companies tell their stories successfully through photography. They are particularly focused on helping sustainable and socially conscious businesses succeed through their beautiful images. In this episode, Nora and Viktor Jelinek share insights into how also businesses in the wool industry can benefit from storytelling and how to go about it.

    #123 Dr. Paul Swan about the future of wool sustainability standards

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 64:51


    Dr. Paul Swan is the Program Manager of the sustainability standard Sustainawool at the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). In this Wool Academy Podcast interview, Paul Swan provides details about Sustainawool and discusses challenges and opportunities for sustainability standards within the wool industry.

    #122 Cody Nicholson-Stratton about diversified livestock and local food systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 76:27


    Cody Nicholson-Stratton shares the story of how he and his husband Thomas were looking to diversify their family's farm and promote sustainability for future generations. Together with two more generations living and working on the farm, the two expanded the farm to include rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, and grass-fed beef. They pride themselves in bringing food and fiber that has been ethically raised in a climate beneficial system to the local consumers; providing nutrient-dense protein, luxurious fiber, and preserving open landscapes for future generations.

    #121 Ethical, sustainable and profitable wool production

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 39:17


    Susan Finnigan together with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law grow fine merino wool on their sheep property Kia Ora in Australia. The farm is certified for several animal welfare and sustainability standards and their outstanding work has been recognised by several industry awards. In this interview, Susan shares details about how she and her family grow ethical, sustainable, and profitable wool.

    #120 Why Consumers Want To Know More

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2020 38:45


    Verena Keller is the Managing Director Sales, Marketing and Product at Know Your Stuff - an online platform that makes the textile supply chain fully transparent and traceable from fibre to finished product. In this episode, Verena Keller explains why there is an ever-growing desire to know where products came from as well as how and by whom they were made.

    #119 Sustainability and Business Strategy go Hand in Hand - Interview with Ian Whiteford

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 42:11


    Ian Whiteford is responsible for Sustainability and Compliance at the Schottish weaving company Alex Begg. In this interview, Ian Whiteford shares insights about how the company started implementing its sustainability strategy and the lessons learned on the way.

    #118 How To Know If A Sheep Is Happy - Interview with Pam and Andre Christie-Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 50:23


    Pam and Andre Christie-Smith farm in 6th generation on their sheep farm Kleiheuwel Trust in South Africa. In this episode, they share insights into their everyday farm life of running a sustainable and animal welfare friendly farm. They explain how they know if their sheep are happy through good shepherding and by looking at the numbers.

    #117 The Value of Improving Sheep Genetics - Interview with Mark Ferguson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 60:59


    Mark Ferguson is an Agricultural Geneticist specialised in sheep and other natural fibre animal breeds. Mark is also the host of the Head Shepherd podcast. On this show, Mark and Elisabeth talk sheep genetics and the importance of telling the wool story.

    #116 Custodian of Land and Animals - Interview with Richard Daughertyrty

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 59:00


    Richard Daugherty is a South African wool grower based in Australia. He and his wife Sarah and their two children farm on Balala Station west of Uralla since 2011. Richard is highly committed to regenerative farming and ensuring hight animal welfare standards. In this episode, Richard shares his story of starting to farm merino sheep and provides insights into different aspects of his farming practices. This episode is recorded in partnership with The Schneider Group and their Authentico Integrity Scheme.

    #115 How Merino Sheep Can Thrive in Europe - Interview with Lesley Prior

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 42:39


    Lesley Prior successfully breeds merino sheep on her farm near Devon in the UK. Something many sheep farmers never thought possible. In this Wool Academy Podcast interview, Lesley shares her vision of creating a large merino sheep flock in Europe and gives insights into her Tellenby Merino Sheep breeding business.

    #114 It's never over until it's over - Interview with Dr. John Parkinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 56:12


    In this Wool Academy Podcast episode, Dr. John Parkinson shares insights about the wool textile recycling industry and his new old recycling business iinouiio.

    #113 How to develop coarse wool product applications

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 59:39


    In this Wool Academy Podcast episode, Sustainability Wool Industry Expert and Journalist Tone Skardal Tobiasson shares insights into the different wool research projects she helped develop and coordinate successfully in Norway. The common thread of these Norwegian wool projects is the goal to identify and develop product applications for coarse wool while also working towards a more sustainable textile industry.

    #112 When Wool Prices Collapse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 40:29


    The Covid-19 pandemic has lead to a strong decrease of coarse wool prices. What does this mean for the little Flock Wool Trading Company who just collected its first container of Albanian wool ready for sale? CEO of Flock Wool, Evan Thomsen and CMO Elisabeth van Delden talk openly about the devastating situation the pandemic has put the start-up into.

    #111 Lean Methodologies and the Minimum Viable Product

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 32:38


    In this video, you can listen to Evan Thomsen and Elisabeth van Delden from Flock Wool talk about how they applied the lean methodologies and the concept of a minimum viable product to their wool trading business Flock Wool based out of Albanian.

    #110 First Wool Collection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 11:42


    In this Wool Academy Podcast Episode, you will learn how the Flock Wool Team collected its first container of Albanian wool. Evan Thomsen, CEO of Flock Wool and Elisabeth van Delden discuss the events as and how they happened.

    #109 Albanian Sheep and Wool

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2020 28:37


    What do you know about Albanian Sheep and Wool? In this Wool Academy Podcast you will learn all about the Bardoka and the Ruda sheep and the type of wool they produce. Flock Wool CEO Evan Thomsen this time interviews Elisabeth van Delden about the different sheep breeds.

    #108 Albanian Wool Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 24:52


    In this interview, Flock Wool CEO Evan Thomsen gives insights about the Albanian wool industry. We discuss reasons why the Albanian wool industry got dismantled 30 years ago, why it never got back on its feet and what the situation is today.

    #107 How Covid-19 also challenges a wool start up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 27:29


    In this episode, Flock Wool CEO Evan Thomsen talks about how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the company's operations in getting the company up and running to collect its first wool. Gain insights how to stay flexible in a business during uncertain times.

    #106 Who is Flock Wool?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 24:51


    In this interview CEO of Flock Wool, Evan Thomsen, shares the story of how he developed the idea for Flock Wool, an Albanian Wool Trading company. You will learn how Evan and his wife Tyanna set out to find the right team, develop the business strategy, and start the business.

    #105 Ralf Kunert from Naturamus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 24:39


    Managing Director Ralf Kunert of Naturamus explains what can be achieved when creating partnerships across different industries. One of the by-products of scouring (washing) wool is wool grease, which is refined into lanolin. Lanolin is an important raw material for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry as it forms the basis for lipsticks and creams. Naturamus specializes in sourcing natural organic raw materials such as lanolin. Naturamus is part of WALA, a German-based company in the natural cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry founded in 1935. In 2016, Naturamus and Fuhrmann partnered to create an innovative product that had never existed before: Organic Lanolin. Both partners brought different expertise to the table. Naturamus offered insights from the consumer market and the requirements of the cosmetic industry and Fuhrmann had the organic on-farm and processing expertise. The partnership and direct dialogue between Fuhrmann and Naturamus enabled the Fuhrmann team to identify exactly what could be done in order to meet the high requirements of the organic cosmetic industry from the farm stage. While the Fuhrmann farms as well as the mill, both meet all the GOTS organic standard requirements for primary production and wool processing, the small concentrated amounts of chemicals still contained in the wool grease were above the accepted level for an organic lanolin product destined for skincare products. The challenge for the Fuhrmann team was, therefore, to identify which processes within the wool production could be changed in such a way that animal welfare and quality standards could still be met while also reducing allowed chemical traces in the organic lanolin product. On-farm, the identified solution lay in doing the routine health checks at a different point in time of the year or even avoiding the use of certain drugs approved by the organic standard of primary production. This change in animal welfare management ensures that chemical traces vanish from the lanolin when the wool is shorn and the sheep can stay healthy as always. In the mill, improvements were made in the way wool lots were separated into different lots for processing to ensure the organic lanolin stays pure. Once the lanolin leaves the Fuhrmann mill, it is sent to a refining mill Inquimec in Buenos Aires for filtering and purifying. Based on the collaboration, Inquimec refining mill also achieved the certification of organic status in its process. It is as far as we know, the only company in the world that has certified this organic process. From Argentina, the lanolin is shipped to Naturamus in Germany where it gets filtered one additional time. The final result is a 100% organic lanolin product ready to create the most natural cosmetic products the world has to offer.

    #104 Monica Ebert about the outdoor apparel brand Core Merino

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2018 28:08


    IntroductionMonica Ebert is the International Brand Development Manager at BKB in South Africa. Part of Monica's work portfolio is the company's outdoor apparel brand Core Merino. In this episode, Monica talks about the opportunities and challenges of marketing a South African merino wool product. About Monica EbertMonica Ebert Is The International Brand Development Manager At BKB In South Africa. Her Responsibilities Include Managing The Companies Clothing Line Core Merino. Monica Joined BKB In March Of 2018 After Living And Working In The Wool Industry In New Zealand And The United States. Monica's Passion For The Wool Industry Stems From Her Lifelong Involvement In The Sheep Industry Having Been Born Into A Small Purebred Sheep Operation In Kansas, USA. She Received Her Bachelor's Degrees In Apparel Design And Apparel Marketing From Kansas State University And Completed Her Master's Degree At Angelo State University Where She Focused Her Research Efforts On Sheep And Wool Production And Apparel Product Development Concentrating On The Processing And Manufacturing Of Wool Into Activewear Garments. Through Her Research And The Development Of A Supply Chain Entirely Within The United States Textile Industry, She Gained Unique Insights Of The Wool Supply Chain From “Sheep To Shop”.

    #103 Yvar Monasch about Best Wool Carpets

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 49:10


    IntroductionYvar Monasch is the Managing Director at Best Wool Carpets, a company based in the Netherlands. In this interview, Yvar shares insights about the tufting carpet industry and about Best Wool Carpets. As the company's name already conveys, Best Wool Carpets is an advocate for wool and is constantly trying to find new ways to communicate the wool message.  About Yvar MonaschBorn (1970) and raised in The Netherlands Yvar has always been interested in the sales and production side of business. During his study of general economics at the University of Amsterdam Yvar got in charge of a piano store on one of the canals in Amsterdam. Yvar joined Best Wool Carpets in 1998, doing a management buyout in 2000 and since then running it together with a highly engaged team. It is an everyday dedication trying to do things differently than others and to exceed expectations. The three core values of Yvar are: • Always deliver on one's promise • If you think you know; ask and if you know; act • All the success and all the failures are a team effort.

    #102 Luke Hooke about his one year of wool experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2018 26:39


    IntroductionOver the course of one year, Luke Hooke wore only wool, documenting his journey as his Year of Wool. In this podcast interview, Luke reflects on his experience during the last 12 months. About Luke HookeLuke Hooke is the young Australian behind Year of Wool, a project promoting wool clothing and the wool industry. For 365 days Luke wore only wool and wool blend clothing to demonstrate the versatility and incredible natural qualities of wool and wool clothing. Having grown up on a wool growing farm in Victoria, Australia, Luke explored post-farm-gate part of the wool industry, promoting the wonderful fibre that is wool while also learning more about the industry.

    #101 Eric Bjergso about the Canadian Wool Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2018 20:20


    IntroductionEric Bjergso introduces us to the Canadian sheep and wool industry. In his interview, Eric provides insights into the history of the Canadian wool industry, sheep breeds and wool qualities. He describes the challenges and opportunities Canadian wool growers are faced with and how the Co-operative is supporting its members in the same. About Eric BjergsoEric Bjergso is the General Manager of the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Limited. Eric is a graduate of the Agricultural College. He joined the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Limited in 1976 and has been the General Manager since 1983.

    #100 Elisabeth van Delden about the Wool Academy Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2018 56:09


    IntroductionCelebrating episode 100 of the Wool Academy Podcast it is time to hear more about the host of the show, Elisabeth van Delden. In this episode, Monica Ebert, a former guest of the show, interviews Elisabeth about the podcast. Elisabeth will take you behind the scene of the podcast. You will learn how Elisabeth came up with the idea for Wool Academy, how each episode is created and what the future will bring for the podcast.

    #099 Rebecca Burgess about the Fibershed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2018 49:31


    IntroductionRebecca Burgess introduces the Fibershed, a non-profit organization that explores and actively implements regional textile fiber and natural dye supply chains. In the interview, Rebecca explains how the idea for Fibershed developed and how it became an ever-growing self-sufficient community of wool growers, ranchers, designers, clothmakers and many more. She explains the concept of carbon farming, counter-intuitive funding models that work and how well-established brands can become part of the community. The Fibershed is a key solution to reversing climate change and an inspiration to the wider industry to think in new and different ways. About the FibershedRebecca Burgess is the founder of the Fibershed. Rebecca started the Fibershed originally with her local wardrobe project where she sourced all her clothing within a radius of 150-miles to where she lives. Fibershed is a non-profit organization focused on education, advocacy and research efforts that directly drive economic development for de-centralized fiber and natural dye systems. Organizational goals include developing a working model for 'soil-to-soil' agriculture and manufacturing processes. Our work is designed to empower small and mid-scale farmers, designers and brands to engage in Climate Beneficial agricultural practices that bring regionally and regeneratively farmed textiles directly to the marketplace. 

    #098 Gudrun Rógvadóttir about the Faroe Islands wool label Gudrun and Gudrun

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2018 34:41


    IntroductionGudrun Rógvadóttir is the co-founder of the Faroe Island Knitwear label Gudrun and Gudrun. Together with the designer Gudrun Ludvig she started the label in 2000. Ever since the label grew to a well-known knitwear brand. In this podcast episode, Gudrun tells the story of how and why she started the label. She also introduces us to the Faroe Island wool and sheep industry and gives insights on how the label empowers women. About Gudrun and GudrunGudrun and Gudrun is a knitwear company specialised in hand-knit. The company was founded in 2002 by two Faroese women and the creative process of design is very closely linked to the isolation of the place. The vision of the company is to make a difference, something very simple and yet very ambitious. The knitwear label wants to make clothes that meet the standards of conscious customers who care about each other, the environment, our common natural resources and who yet want to be stylish. The hand-knitted collections are made in the homes of female knitters on the Faroe Islands, Jordan and Peru as part of a women's empowerment project. The Faroe Islands are 18 tiny islands situated in the North Atlantic, between Iceland and Norway. Only 45,000 people live on the islands. Still, it is a nation of its own culture and own language.

    #097 James Braszell about life as a shearer and photographer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2018 35:20


    IntroductionJames Braszell is a full-time shearer based in Australia. James found a creative way of sharing his passion for his work and life in the shearing sheds through his photography. Every day while shearing, James captures unique moments of life in the shearing shed. In his Wool Academy Podcast interview, James shares insights into the work and life as a shearer and how he developed his second career as a photographer. About James BraszellIn 2013, James Braszell, started working full time in rural Australia as a rouseabout. He wasn't long into his time in the woolsheds when he realised it would be worth getting a camera and capturing the unique scenes he found around me every day. The people, the places, the animals and even the dirt and the dust – there was so much to capture everywhere he went! That was how James started his photography business. Years later and his passion for the job has now only grown and he is now shearing full time. His photography has taken him all over the country and into countless woolsheds and farms where he has met many wonderful people on the way and snapped thousands of photos. 

    #096: Allan De Boos about successful wool education

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 27:30


    IntroductionAllan De Boos has been working in the wool industry his whole career. As the Programme Manager responsible for the Woolmark Wool Education Course at tertiary level he shares his knowledge with the wool industry's future designers and engineers. In this episode, he talks about the programme and explains the importance of educating students in wool for the innovations of the future. About Allan De BoosDr. Allan de Boos is a graduate of the University of NSW (Textile Technology - Chemistry) and the Victoria University of Manchester (Dept Chemical Physics). He was employed by CSIRO Division of Wool Technology from 1968-2002 conducting research into the chemical and mechanical finishing of wool and wool-blend fabrics. While at CSIRO he worked closely with fabric and garment manufacturers particularly in Italy and the UK, on the exploitation of SiroFAST and other systems for fabric objective measurement for fabric and garment manufacturing. Over the last 15 years, Allan has worked for Australian Wool Innovation and is currently the Programme Manager responsible for Woolmark Wool Education Course at tertiary level. Over the past four years, he has delivered the Woolmark Course at Yantai-Nanshan university in Nanshan, China. The delivery involves two periods, each of two months, working in Nanshan. This year he will also be delivering units at Jiaxing University. In addition to delivery of the course units, Allan conducts 'course familiarisation' sessions with staff from other Chinese universities so that they can evaluate the course and its materials for inclusion in the university undergraduate programme for textile engineers. Allan also manages the delivery of units of the course at several other textile-related universities in China by staff from Deakin University (Australia).  About AWI/The Woolmark CompanyAWI is the research development and marketing (RD&M) organisation for the Australian wool industry. AWI's mission is to invest in research, development, marketing and promotion to enhance the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wool industry and increase demand and market access for Australian wool. Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and its subsidiary The Woolmark Company (TWC) represent the interests of 55,000 wool growers in Australia. AWI is proud of what it has achieved for Australian wool growers. In FY17 AWI invested $71 million in 398 projects with 140 partners worldwide. These included leading international brands and sport companies such as Nike and Adidas who recognise their customers are interested in natural fibre, and in particular wool, in clothes, running shoes, and soft tailoring.

    #095 Yolanda Leask and Martin Brambley about Cloudwool

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2018 49:01


    IntroductionYolanda Leask and Martin Brambley are the two young entrepreneurs behind the company Doppelhaus. In this episode, the two fashion textile experts talk about their product Cloudwool. Cloudwool is a non-woven fabric made out of wool. Yolanda and Martin share how they came up for the idea of Cloudwool and what they are trying to achieve with this product for wool and the planet. About DoppelhausYolanda Leask and Martin Brambley are the founders and Directors of Doppelhaus Ltd. Doppelhaus Ltd is a textile company specialising in utilising non-woven technology for the creation of high-quality fabrics. Their novel approach involves meticulous consideration and research in to supply chains, sustainability and surface technology/design. Yolanda's and Martin's vision remains to develop and produce reliable, high-quality textiles for many industries. They are on hand to impart their unparalleled creativity and passion into a project you may have. The two are based in London & Berlin.

    #094 Cobus Oosthuizen puts wool to test during a 250 km desert race

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2018 32:43


    IntroductionCobus Ooosthuizen has always wanted to bust advertisement claims and proof them wrong. That is also why he took on the wool industry to proof the outrages claims the industry was making about wool as false. These claims about wool included that wool was soft, durable, cool when it is hot, warm when it is cold, breathable, UV protective, odour resistant etc. Cobus Oosthuizen tested a wool t-shirt during a 250 km running race for 6 days through the South African desert. Cobus talked about his experience with wool at the last IWTO Wool Round Table in South Africa. This episode is a live recording from the event. Listen to the amazing story of how Cobus ran for 6 days through the South African desert with temperatures of 42-52 degrees Celcius to test wool's marketing claims. About Cobus OosthuizenDr. Oosthuizen is passionate about change…”that moment when you discover something and you know you can never go back to the way things use to be.” It is his drive and passion to see everyone have moments like these, leading them to more productive, effective, healthy and purposeful lives.” As the founder of LifeXchange and owner of LifeXchange Solutions, Cobus and his incredible team of experts are leading both communities, schools, and churches as well as small, medium and large business and corporate clients into effective mentoring and change management processes! Cobus is married, has an 8-year-old daughter, lives in Cape Town and is always ready to show you that you are more capable than what you could ever imagine!

    #093: Francesco Botto Poala takes us behind the scenes of Reda 1865

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2018 33:13


    IntroductionFrancesco Botto Poala is the Chief Operating Officer at the well known vertically integrated weaving company Reda 1865. In this episode, Francesco talks about how the company strives for continued success through quality and innovation. Francesco explains that innovation means to be always willing to change and adapt in order to survive. Traceability, animal welfare and environmental standards are of highest concern to Reda. Francesco explains how the company tracks and traces its own progress in these areas while setting the benchmark for other companies as well. Francesco goes even so far to discuss why consumers are also asking for this kind of level of transparency and responsibility. Listeners will also gain insights on the challenges of founding the sportsbrand Rewoolution and the brand's social media activities. About Francesco Botto PoalaBorn in Biella in 1964, after completing school education in Italy, Francesco Botto Poala starts building his 360° experience, both at home and abroad. Francesco works in London for a fabrics wholesale and for a short period also for a mill in Scotland, then for a garment manufacturer in Italy and after this experience, he joins Reda the family company in textile since 1865. Francesco was appointed for 4 years as a Sales Manager for Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and around 1989 he got his first experience with wool working for 3 months for the Australian Wool Corporation, and after buying wool for several years in 1993 the company bought the first of the 3 farms in New Zealand. This gave Francesco the opportunity to get experience also in the farming side and in classing wool. Since 1990 he started to get a lot of knowledge of the business in all its different facets, and in particular, he was more and more involved in the mill's production process and the related technical aspects. Francesco was responsible for raw material supply and right after he was in charge of the farms in New Zealand. But, it is in the year 2000, that he became the mill's COO. Francesco is also a board member of different companies and President of the spinning mill CB Spa and a combing mill Pettinatura lane Romagnano Sesia Spa.

    #092: Dave Maslen about giving consumers a great wool experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2018 31:57


    IntroductionDave Maslen introduces the New Zealand Merino Company in this Wool Academy Podcast interview. Dave explains the different benefits NZM offers to its wool growers, supply chain partners and brand retailers. He also talks about the research NZM conducted to better understand the environmental impacts of wool. Dave is also an expert when it comes to understanding the passionate wool consumer and what it takes to turn first-time wool customers into raving fans. About Dave MaslenDave Maslen is the Global Partnerships Manager at the New Zealand Merino Company. This involves taking primary responsibility for NZM's key international relationships with its retail brand partners and supply chain partners. He is responsible for NZM's marketing activities, maintenance and growth of existing business, development of new business, supply chain and contract management, strategic growth initiatives, research and development, and sustainability, traceability and ethical production. Dave has a background in environmental science and sustainable land management, and is engaged globally with a broad range of agencies focused on sustainability.

    #091: Ben Watts about how automation is helping wool growers on farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2018 34:45


    IntroductionBen Watts is a wool grower based in Australia who is using automation technology to help him run is farm more efficiently and more effectively. Drones, RFID tags or automated scales all help Ben look after his sheep, the farm, ensure the health of his stock and improve is production and therefore his overall business. Ben explains in this episodes how the different technologies work and how they aid wool growers, sheep and consumers. As Ben saw so much success with the new types of technologies he also started his own consulting and training company, Bralca, to assist other wool growers achieve the same goals. Listen to the fascinating world of automation on farm. About Ben WattsBen has been working in the merino industry over the past 25 years, in this time ben has managed sheep farms for corporate business' up until 2005 when he and his wife Fiona purchased their second farm and began to focus on utilizing automation. In this time Ben has developed commercial applications for a number of technologies to better utilize skilled labour by reducing repetitive tasks, providing meaningful live information and identifying individual animals within large commercial flocks. Traditionally data collection has been based on manual processes to collect mob based information. Utilising individual electronic ID, Ben uses remote data collection for live monitoring of animal body weights, matching ewes to lambs and recording animal treatments. In the past two years, Ben has incorporated the use of Drones to track stock, monitor water and measure pasture growth. This has provided a new level of automated monitoring to assist in management.

    #090 Derelee Potroz-Smith is turning wool into gold with Woolchemy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2018 38:01


    IntroductionDerelee Potroz-Smith is the CEO and Co-founder of Woolchemy based in New Zealand. Woolchemy processes wool with its innovative neweZorb treatment to make it super-absorbent. In this Wool Academy podcast, Derelee tells the story of how she and her mother came up with the idea for Woolchemy and how she developed the business over the past 10 years. About Derelee Potroz-SmithDerelee Potroz-Smith is the CEO and Co-Founder of Woolchemy in New Zealand. She is a mother of three boys, an engineer, and an environmentalist. Her company Woolchemy have formulated a world first method that makes sheep wool super-absorbent for use in multiple moisture management applications. In 2017, Woolchemy was named finalists in the 'Going Circular' category of the New Zealand NZI Sustainable Business Awards. Derelee comes from a wool producing upbringing and her mission is to pay farmers fairly for their wool clip and creating innovative biodegradable products for the better of our planet and our people.

    #089 Evan Helle about his sheep to shelf brand Duckworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2018 37:21


    IntroductionEvan Helle is a fourth generation sheep rancher and co-founder of the merino wool retail brand Duckworth. In this episode, Evan shares the story of his family, the family ranch and the decision to add more value to their wool by starting an apparel business. He shares insights into the benefits and hurdles of running a vertically integrated business and the importance of preserving wool skills and knowledge locally. About Evan HelleEvan Helle is a fourth generation sheep rancher and co-founder of Duckworth. He is an active member of the American Sheep Industry Association, Montana Wool Growers, and Southwest Montana Stockman's Association. Shortly after graduating from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2014, with degrees in Agriculture Business and Economics, he jumped into the fledgeling company Duckworth to help launch the startup. Excelling at computer database and software integration, he built the tools required to carve out a vertically integrated U.S. supply chain from Sheep to Shelf™. After Duckworth was up and running, Evan moved back to his hometown of Dillon where he manages Duckworth's fabric production remotely and helps on the ranch. He is also an active ambassador for Duckworth and attends trade shows, sales events, and helps with social media. Evan's focus is to grow the supply of wool for Duckworth by reaching out to fellow wool producers who buy Helle Rambouillet seed stock. He also is working on integrating new genetic software, management practices, and helping to develop fine wool breeding indexes aimed at improving wool production and quality.

    #088 John Roberts about the Woolmark Resource Centre

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 31:44


    IntroductionJohn Roberts is the General Manager Eastern Hemisphere of the Woolmark Company - Australian Wool Innovation. IN his position he leads the Asian Woolmark offices as well as the Woolmark Resource Centre. In this interview, John Roberts shares insights into the Asian wool consumer and manufacturing markets. John also explains the concept and goal of the inspiring state of the art Woolmark Resrouce Centre. About John RobertsJohn brings nearly 30 years experience in the Wool Industry having worked in a wide range of industry sectors from primary production to processing, marketing and trading. He stems from a wool producing family in Binalong, NSW and started his career in the industry as a shipping and administration clerk for the Exporter Booth Hill & New Pty Ltd in Sydney in 1988. Since that time he spent a number of years as a wool buyer in Sydney before moving into wool trading. He continued to expand his experience in the industry working as the Senior Trader for Agrisk Pty Ltd developing risk management tools for wool growers before moving to Dubbo, NSW as the Topmaking and Trading Manager at Fletcher International. John returned to the Booth group (then owned by the German topmaker BWK) where he assumed the role of Trading Manager for both greasy wool and wool tops, based in Melbourne. He covered numerous key markets in his time trading including Italy, India, UK, USA Eastern Europe and China. As the groups processing expanded John was also overseeing the blending, processing and selling of wool tops ex Austops in Parkes, and the Geelong Wool Combing mill. When Elders bought BWK in 2000 John relocated to Adelaide and was able to work on a number of new sales initiatives that linked his extensive global sales network to Australian Wool Growers via the Elders broking arm. He extended this work when he was appointed to the role of Marketing & Trading Manager – China, based in Shanghai for 3 years. In that time he initiated the first Australian wool auctions held in China, developed a number of new mill direct selling avenues, led numerous farmer tours to China, and negotiated the sale of Austops and Joint Venture of Geelong Wool Combing with the Nanshan Group. John returned to Australia in 2006 in the role of General Manager for Elders Wool International where he oversaw the groups greasy wool trading and commission combing operations globally including the New Zealand greasy exporter J.S. Brooksbank. More recently John was General Manager of Dalgety Wool Exports before starting his own agricultural consulting business Eubindal Pty Ltd where he has worked on export initiatives in the wine and wool industries. He has spent the last 18 months working as the Executive Officer of the Wool Selling Systems Review that was commissioned by AWI.

    #087 Gerhard Schoppel about the premium wool hand knitting yarn business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 30:09


    IntroductionGerhard Schoppel is the owner and creative mind behind the premium hand knitting yarn Schoppel Wolle. In this episode he talks about the hand knitting business and why he decided to go premium. Gerhard also shares the journey he went through to source his wool only from Patagonia in Argentina and to have his products GOTS certified. About Gerhard Schoppel„Knitting is the answer to the yearning for something true, something for yourself, something of value.“ The Hohenloher Wolle GmbH is a company with a clear position. For more than sixty years the traditional company stands for the manufacturing and processing of hand knitting yarns - Made in Germany. An extensive knowhow on textiles has been acquired over decades, something that today is more valuable than ever. To owner Gerhard Schoppel, the spirit of creative handiwork is near and dear. The particular uniqueness of the Schoppel Wolle yarn collections is influenced by the interplay of art and fashion. With the three product lines gradient yarns, sustainably produced yarns made of natural fibres and luxurious yarns (silk, cashmere, linen, alpaca and mohair) the Hohenloher Wolle GmbH delivers its products to international customers, especially to countries with a long knitting tradition. The raw wool for the whole collection comes from Patagonia and local sheep farms. In a new Schoppel Wolle product line the Hohenloher Wolle GmbH has been certified with the eco-label GOTS. The GOTS-seal (Global Organic Textile Standard) is subject to very strict requirements and criteria throughout the complete production chain. For Gerhard Schoppel and the Hohenloher Wolle GmbH it is important to say: A clear position never goes out of fashion.

    #086: Peter Morgan about the Australian Wool Export Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2018 57:04


    IntroductionPeter Morgan is the Executive Director of the Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors and of the Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia. In this episode, Peter gives insights into the Australian wool export industry and shares stories from his life long career and achievements for the overall good of the wool industry. About Peter MorganDr Peter Morgan, like a number of members of the wool industry enrolled in the former Wool Technology course at the University of New South Wales. It was his first involvement with the sheep and wool industry. He joined the Western Australian Department of Agriculture after graduation in 1963, based in Port Hedland as a one man office. From there, he provided an extension service to the pastoralists over an area of 60,000 square miles, working mostly on sheep fertility problems and pasture management issues. He also had responsibility for the local Departmental Research Station, “Abydos”. While based in Port Hedland, Peter also completed an MSc on methods for improving ram fertility and lambing performance in the Region. Outside of his work with the Department of Agriculture, Peter witnessed the commencement of the transformation of the Pilbara from a pastoral small to medium sized mining industry based area to an iron ore giant. Peter received an Australian Wool Board Scholarship to continue his studies at the University of Western Australia in 1967. This time, in the field of early stage lamb mortality. He returned to the North West on completion of his PhD studies, taking a position in the Department's Regional Office in Derby. From there, he resumed work on sheep fertility problems in the Pilbara Region and participated in the beef cattle research programme at the new Department of Agriculture Research Station at Fitzroy Crossing. Peter accepted an offer to join the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) as Regional Manager Fremantle in 1972. His friends from University days, David Ward and SAS Douglas were already at AWTA. The timing of his appointment coincided with the lift in wool prices after the very tough times from 1968 to 1971. It also coincided with a significant lift in testing volumes as the recently formed Australian Wool Commission began testing the stockpile prior to resale. His commencement at AWTA was only a few months before the completion of the Australian Objective Measurement Project (AOMP) that led to the introduction of Presale testing and Sale-by-Sample in July 1972. This, in turn, led a period of phenomenal growth and challenges at AWTA. He moved to Head Office in 1978, where he had a number of senior roles before retiring in 1999 as part of the phased transition in the senior management structure. Peter involved himself at all levels of the industry during his time at AWTA and is probably best remembered for his work in the development of IT systems to meet the ongoing growth of Presale testing and as a member of the Industry Committee which introduced electronic data transfer to the industry in 1984. This was a pioneering achievement for the wool industry in EDP terms and removed the costly, and error prone, need for sellers, private treaty merchants and buyers to re-enter data which was already recorded in other computers in the industry. On retirement from AWTA, Peter took up a part-time position assisting Bob Quirk at the newly formed Australian Wool Industry Secretariat (AWIS). This stretched to full time in 2002 when Bob moved to Australian Wool Innovation and Peter took on Bob's former role of Executive Director. This made him Executive Director of the Australian Council of Wool Exporters, the Australian Wool Processors Council, the Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia and Secretary of the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations. He is also a Member of the Australian delegations to the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) Meetings. Peter continues today as the Executive Director...

    #085 Rita Haselwander and Rasa Staneviciene from Garlita about flat wool knitting manufacturing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 27:11


    IntroductionGarlita is a flat knitting company based in Lithuania with a vast experience in knitting wool garments. Together with their father, twin sisters Rita Haselwander and Rasa Stanevičienė have lead the company to success. The plant runs 24/7 and produces 1000 flat knitted pieces per week. In this episode Rita and Rasa explain the nature of their business and how they convince their customers to use more wool in their products. About GarlitaGarlita is a family business and is run by a father and two daughters, each of them being involved in every aspect of the process. The venture of two generations has led local knitwear factory into the successful and innovative global business. It all began in 1970, when Lithuanian army, gymnasiums and schools were in need of knitted uniforms… Therefore, it is safe to say that the company was founded for a good reason - to dress the country. More than 40 years have passed until today when Garlita exports knitwear to France, Germany, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Israel, Russia, Japan and many other countries around the globe.

    #084 Lorents Tvedt about the knitwear brand Dale of Norway

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2018 25:25


    IntroductionLorents Tvedt is the Product Development Manager at the Norwegian wool knitwear brand Dale of Norway. In this episode Lorents tells the interesting story of how Dale of Norway was founded and how the brand transformed into the famous brand it is today. Lorents furthermore explains the development of the Norwegian sweater patterns and how the brand clothes the Norwegian Olympic teams. About Lorents TvedtLorents Tvedt is the Product Development Manager at Dale of Norway. Lorents started working for Dale of Norway when he was 16 years old. Ever since he started working, Lorents had different positions in the production, product development and sales department. He only took a short break to study textile engineering in Reutlingen in Germany in 1985.

    #083 Adam Dawes about the wool industry on the Falkland Islands

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2018 23:46


    IntroductionAdam Dawes is the Senior Agriculture Advisor for the Falkland Islands Government. In his Wool Academy Podcast interview, Adam gives an introduction to the sheep and wool industry of the Falkland Islands. He gives insights into the benefits of the islands' wool as well as the struggles and opportunities the industry faces. About Adam DawesAdam Dawes is the Senior Agriculture Advisor for the Falkland Islands Government. He grew up on a superfine wool farm in Southern New South Wales (Australia). Adam studied Agronomy at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga before working as an agronomist, providing advice to sheep and cattle farmers near his hometown. Leaving agronomy Adam worked for 8 years in the Australian government in various roles relating to plant biosecurity. In 2015 Adam was attracted to a role working with the Falkland Islands Government seeking a career break and a once in a lifetime adventure for his young family. Adam has enjoyed the move back to the wool industry and is looking forward to the global wool industry developing as consumers begin to develop a well-deserved appreciation for the positive attributes and sustainability of our wonderful fiber.

    #082 Jacob Long about re-launching American Woolen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2018 28:40


    IntroductionJacob Long is the CEO of US based worsted and woolen weaving mill American Woolen. In this interview, Jacob tells the story how he brought the once biggest weaving mill of the United States back to life. Jacob shares the challenges he faced and the opportunities he sees for the company. About Jacob LongJacob Harrison Long leads American Woolen Company, Inc. He has a finance background with considerable experience in cross-border M&A, debt capital markets and consumer goods/retail turnaround investing. Jacob spent 20 years in Europe working in investment banking for BNP Paribas and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. While working in Milan from 2006 to 2012, Jacob developed extensive contacts in as well as a deep appreciation for the Italian textile and apparel industry with its focus on product quality and luxury versus the large-scale, commodity-oriented manufacturing that typifies the U.S. textile industry. He acquired the assets of American Woolen Company and Warren Mills in order to replicate the European approach to textile manufacturing in the United States.

    #081 Osman Kilic about the hand knitting industry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2018 39:09


    IntroductionOsman Kilic is the Executive Board Member of hand knitting yarn manufacturer Ormo. In this episode, Osman talks about the Ormo Group and how the business of hand knitting yarn works. Osman explains further how the hand knitting industry is set up and how trends influence hand knitting as a hobby. About Osman KilicOsman Kilic is the Executive Board Member of the Ormo Group. Osman joined the company in 1984. He has experience in marketing knitting and craft yarns and international market development. In addition, Osman is part of the Executive Committee of the International Wool Textile Organisation.

    #080 Giovanni and Marco Schneider about building a global wool processing business

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 36:24


    IntroductionGiovanni and Marco Schneider are the leaders behind the wool processing company The Schneider Group. In this episode, father and son talk about what it means to run a family business.  About the Schneider GroupThe Schneider Group is a family-run, multinational company based in the south of Switzerland close to the Italian border. The Schneider Group has been founded in 1922 by Giovanni Schneider as a wool trading company. When his son Marco Schneider joined the company he added early stage wool processing to the business. Today, his son Giovanni Schneider is leading the company forward. Schneider is a world leader in the processing and supply of high-quality wools and natural fibres. The Schneider Group operates combing mills in Italy, China, Egypt and Argentina. Over the years, the Group has grown into a solid, integrated organization with production facilities managed by an independent Industrial Division. The sourcing and selection of raw materials in their countries of origin is handled by an extensive network of specialized laboratories performing quality tests and fully-owned purchasing organizations located in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, China, Mongolia and Iran. 

    #079: Jo-Anne Bester about wool auctioneering

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2018 25:47


    IntroductionJo-Anne Bester is the first and so far only female wool auctioneer in South Africa. In this episode, Jo-Anne talks about how the South African wool auction actually works and what it takes to work in the auction room.  About Jo-Anne BesterJo-Anne Bester is the daughter of Eric Naude, one of the two breeders of the well-known Geelbek elite Merino stud. Having been raised on a sheep farm, she developed a keen interest in agricultural activities. Jo-Anne then went on to pursue her studies in agriculture at the Grootfontein Agricultural College outside Middelburg, which specializes in small stock management and offers an exceptional course on Merino's. She received the prestigious award of Junior Merino Judge of the year in 2014 upon completing her diploma. Jo-Anne now works for BKB and is the first woman auctioneer in the fibre industry for both wool and mohair in South African history. She is also a qualified Senior Merino Judge and advisor. She is also an equestrian and achieved SA colours for Saddle Seat Equitation, representing SA against the USA in 2010 and 2011. 

    #078: Jimmy Jackson about wool knitting manufacturing in China

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 37:11


    IntroductionJimmy Jackson is a living legend in the wool industry. With a wool career of over 48 years in wool chemical processing, Jimmy Jackson combines knowledge and experience many companies seek out to have access to. In this Podcast Episode, Jimmy shares some of his knowledge on making wool machine washable and mercerizing wool. In addition, Jimmy talks about wool manufacturing in Asia, in particular, China and helps clarify some of the still existing prejudices around. Last but not least, Jimmy talks about the current trends and challenges the wool knitting industry is dealing with today. About Jimmy JacksonJimmy Jackson was born in Bradford, in West Yorkshire in the north of England. At that time Bradford was known as the “Wool City” as 50% of all the worlds wool supply was traded and manufactured in and around that city. Therefore growing up in such an environment it was almost inevitable that Jimmy would pursue a career in the wool industry. In 1970 Jimmy joined the Woolmark Company (Then known as the International Wool Secretariat) as a laboratory technician in their International Research, Development and design centre which was located close by. Jimmy worked a recent technology at that time on making wool machine washable and was part of a team who took the idea and made it into a commercial scale manufacturing process. After this Jimmy was responsible for transferring the technology around the world designing and commissioning plants. This took him to the four corners of the world, Japan, Korea, Australia, South Africa, South and North America as well as throughout Western Europe and Eastern Europe including Russia. Jimmy was also the co-inventor of the Mercerised process for wool, known as Mercerized Merino which is firmly established today. In 1981 Jimmy made his first trip to China, and has been a frequent visitor ever since, and continues to visit their multiple times each year. In 2005 Jimmy left the UK to be based in AWI's HQ in Sydney where he took up the position of General Manager for Product Development & Commercialization. In 2016 Jimmy Left AWI, and started his own part-time business (International Wool Consulting Group), where today he works with some of the leading and world's largest Chinese wool manufacturers. Jimmy was educated at the University of Huddersfield in England, where he gained an honours degree in Textile Technology, and he was awarded a Fellow of the International Textile Institute.

    #077: Wolf Edmayr about the current situation of the South African wool industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 34:29


    IntroductionWolf Edmayr is the Managing Director of South African based company BKB. BKB is the largest wool handler of the South African wool clip and service provider to South African wool and mohair growers. In this episode, Wolf Edmayr talks about the history and future of the BKB business and shares his perspectives on the potential of the South African wool clip as well as the agricultural industry. About Wolf EdmayrWolf Edmayr was born on 22 July 1956 in Delareyville. He matriculated at Grey College in Bloemfontein after which he obtained a B.Com Hon. degree at the Rand Afrikaans University. Afterward, he qualified as Chartered Accountant. He worked for the firm Deloitte & Touche in Johannesburg and later became an audit partner. Before joining BKB Ltd he also held the following positions: 1992 - Managing Director of Wooltextile Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd 1996 - Managing Director of Sweet-Orr and Lybro (Pty) Ltd 2001 - Managing Director of the HT Group (Pty) Ltd Wolf joined BKB Ltd in 2004 as Managing Director. He is a shareholder of BKB Ltd and part-time Free State farmer and is married to Birgit. They have three children.

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