Judges selected winners based on the uniformity of the crimp, colour, wool preparation, and absence of any vegetable matter in the wool, awarding up to 30 points. An additional seventy points were available from tests assessing weight, strength, and micron, bringing the top score to 100. This year’s winner, Armidale, scored an impressive 99 out of 100 and took home the “Supreme Champion Fleece” of the show.
‘This solidifies Devold’s business partners as world-class wool growers. We have worked diligently to select the best wool partners for our brand and congratulate all the Devold partner prize winners, who make us brim of pride’, said Devold’s CEO, Øystein Vikingsen Fauske.
‘This truly is a family win, and it means the world to us. Three generations of Patterson have put all we can into producing the best, despite the changing climate conditions. We are continuously exploring ways to improve how we work with nature and our animals so we can leave Armidale in an even better state for our sons, Hugo and Bede’, shared Simon Patterson of Armidale, a Devold direct souring partner since 2017.
‘I find working with our wool growers incredibly rewarding as they are dedicated to producing top-quality products. Devold is committed to sourcing the world’s finest wool, and we consistently find it in the Armidale clip. It is also gratifying to see many of our other growers excelling ‘, said Craig Smith, Devold’s General Manager in New Zealand, affectionately known as “Devold’s Wool Guy”.
A key element in Devold’s quality strategy, called “Sheep to Shop”, is full traceability of the wool from the farm of origin to the hangtag on the garment for sale in-store. Many of Devold’s Sheep to Shop growers won prizes outside the top prize: Armidale, Glenmore, Maryburn, Blairich, Balmoral, Mt Hay, BenDhu, Bendigo, Greys Hills, and The Jordon.
The Sheep to Shop program is vital for several reasons:
- A continuous supply of high-quality wool due to direct sourcing
- An equal partnership, where both parties choose to work with one another
- Long-term contract with fixed prices and a quality bonus, developed together by Devold and the growers, ensuring predictability
Devold sources with the same terms from an additional 25 merino wool farmers in New Zealand, who are, however, not designated “Sheep to Shop” as they do not have volumes to cover a full series of Devold products. Of these, Malvern Downs, Riverrun, Tulachard Ard, and Hurinui Hills, also took home prizes.
Background on Devold’s Sheep to Shop quality strategy
Devold aims to secure continuous supply of high-quality wool by engaging directly with the value chain and strengthening the wool industry. In 2017, Devold established direct contracts with 11 merino wool growers spread over the South Island of New Zealand, selected based on strict quality criteria. Devold has since worked to further develop the Sheep to Shop program in close cooperation with the wool growers. As a result, there is now a waiting list for interested wool growers to join the partnership.
Background on the New Zealand Supreme Fine Wool Show and Devold’s partners
The third year of the now annual competition, saw 236 fleeces submitted by 56 wool growers, both record entries. Fifty-five percent of the fleeces competing were from Devold growers. Previous Devold partner winners are Armidale (2023), and Glenmore (2022). Devold growers have continuously secured placings in the top ten every year.
When judging, the fleeces are identified solely by a unique number, ensuring that the judges remain unaware of the growers' identities. This anonymity allows “Devold's wool guy”, Craig Smith, to participate as one of the judges without any potential conflict of interest.
Press contact:
For more information, contact Trude Ertresvåg, Devold Chief Sustainability Officer, on phone +47 90 80 58 39 or email trude.ertresvag@devold.no