Premium NZ Wool Producer Adopts Origin System
Enterprising wool producers Jeanette and Russell Emmerson of Forest Range Station, Lindis Pass have unique knowledge
about the wool they produce. Using a new technology, the Emmersons can determine if wool comes from one of their two
properties. Together with Oritain Global Limited they have developed a natural profile of their production areas and
have consequently developed a profile of their wool. The results provide a tamper-proof “signature” of the wool. Using
this technology, the Emerson’s no longer need to rely on labeling, packaging, or adding anything to the wool.
“The potential is huge” said Russell Emmerson, “not only can we differentiate wool between our two properties, we can
also differentiate wool between different growing regions in New Zealand and around the world. The risk, for many wool
producers, is that NZ wool is mixed with less desirable wool from other sources during the production phases – we are
working to develop intelligence about our wool throughout the production cycle”. Mr Emmerson believes that the result
will be the ability to distinguish Forest Range wool from other wool products in the marketplace, anywhere in the world.
Mike Darling, manager for NZ operations at Oritain Global, said that the Emerson’s initiative would mean that they were
not dependent upon easily counterfeited or copied labeling applied externally to a product.
ENDS