Elders’ new wool handling business has commenced operations at Rockingham in Western Australia.

Elders’ general manager agency David Adamson said the Rockingham centre is ideally located on the doorstep of the port of Fremantle and combines wool sales activities with storage and handling operations.

“This integrated approach will aim to improve efficiency and sustainability in the wool supply chain.”

Mr Adamson said the centre will bring wool producers a full end-to-end service, providing a quick and easy delivery experience from the farm gate.

“The business will utilise new technology to support West Australian wool clients. Elders Wool will provide more information about where wool is within the supply chain.”

Mr Adamson said the project’s efficiency improvements aim to increase speed to market and lower costs over time for clients.

The Rockingham site will be one of two new centres in the Elders wool handling network, with another facility in Ravenhall, Victoria set to commence operations in 2024.

Elders will be investing $25 million in the wool handling business – the largest single investment in wool handling this century, signifying a long-term commitment to the Australian wool industry.

The new business will complement the existing wool offering from Elders, with selling centres in Yennora, Brooklyn and Spearwood remaining in operation.

Clients will also continue to have access to a wide range of wool selling tools through Elders, including auction, auction forward and Wooltrade.

Elders handled approximately 350,000 wool bales in FY22.