October 30, 2015
Farm to foot philosphy helping Maori farm
Maori farmer Atihau Whanganui Incorporation stands to benefit from the ‘farm to foot’ philosophy of Danish woollen shoe maker Glerups.
Supply chain manager Jesper Glerup Kristensen has been in New Zealand visiting suppliers including Atihau and the New Zealand Merino Company, which manages Landcorp’s wool clip.
The company was started as a hobby business by his mother Nanny Glerup just over 20 years ago using felted wool from Gotland sheep.
It now exports about 150,000 pairs of the indoor shoes each year, with 90 percent New Zealand wool blended with Gotland wool grown in Denmark.
Glerups has now launched in the North American market expects to more than double production.
Mr Kristensen says signing long term contracts with wool growers gives it more security over cost and supply.
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