NOTE: This press release is available as a Microsoft Word file. All images are available in high-resolution format for your use. To download a high-resolution file, either left-click any image, or right click the image and select "Save Target As."

WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND AWARDED FOR WOJO:
A SUSTAINABLE TEXTILE DEVELOPED FOR STARBUCKS

Wools of New Zealand wins award for partnership in sustainable product development. Featured left to right:  Steven Parsons, Innovations Manager, Wools of New Zealand; Elise Demboski, North American Market Manager, Wools of New Zealand; and David Hammond, European Market Manager, Wools of New Zealand

The 70% New Zealand wool / 30% recycled jute fabric has been named WoJo and will be used within Starbucks stores throughout the world.

LONDON, ENGLAND, October 11, 2010—Wools of New Zealand has been awarded for its collaborative work in the development of WoJo—a revolutionary sustainable textile brought to life for Starbucks coffee. The award was presented on behalf of the 2010 Campaign for Wool, convened by the HRH Prince of Wales, in association with The Society of British Interior Design (SBID). Vanessa Brady, president of SBID presented Wools of New Zealand with the award at a ceremony held in London on October 11.

Development of WoJo was conceptualized by The Formary, a New Zealand based design company charged with the challenge of converting Starbuck’s jute coffee sacks into a sustainable fabric. Having identified wool as the perfect fibre to offset jute’s propensity to shed, The Formary turned to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise who recommended Wools of New Zealand for their innovation,  global expertise and  industry connections.  Wools of New Zealand’s sustainable Laneve traceable wool quickly became the obvious choice for transforming the coffee sacks into sustainable fabric for use within Starbucks stores.

“Laneve traceable wool is sourced only from accredited farms which meet high standards in regard to animal welfare, land management, farming techniques and environmental practices,” says David Hammond, European Market Manager for Wools of New Zealand. “By blending Laneve wool with recycled jute, we’re able to play a vital role in the development of this genuinely sustainable and ethically produced interior textile.”

Camira Fabrics, Ltd. of Mirfield, West Yorkshire was selected to manufacture the fabric due to their technical capability in natural fibre upholstery. The company is a recent recipient of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development 2010.  Group Sales and Marketing Director of Camira Andrew Schofield says the company welcomed the opportunity to help develop WoJo and tailored the fabric to meet Starbuck’s strict performance requirements.

Camira received an award for their contribution to the creation of WoJo along with The Formary, and Dell’Orco & Villani, manufacturers of textile recycling equipment.

“The collaborative awards presented for WoJo celebrate innovation and are a welcome endorsement of the quality of this sustainable fabric,” says Thom Breslin, director of design, Starbucks UK and Ireland. “It recognizes the creative work behind this sustainable textile that is environmentally authentic. It will both enhance our store and compliment Starbucks design strategy.”

The new textile was unveiled as part of UK Wool Week and was featured at Starbucks’ flagship Conduit Street store in London’s West End. It will be rolled out across 8,000 Starbucks stores over the next five years.

# # #

Wools of New Zealand
PO Box 669273
Marietta, GA  30062
Contact: Elise Demboski
Executive Director, North America
770-649-7699
elise@woolcarpetnz.com