WoolWorks’ wool scouring operations in Napier have shut down due to extensive flooding, but the closure is not expected to have a major impact on the industry.
WoolWorks is New Zealand’s only woolscouring service provider and operates the largest scouring facility in the world.
Chief executive Nigel Hales said all services at the Awatoto scour in Napier ceased when the scour became a victim of the floodwaters swamping the town.
A second, smaller woolscour facility at nearby Clive is also out of action because there is no power.
With the company’s scour in Washdyke near Timaru operating at full capacity, Hales said there will be delays, but it won’t be a major issue for farmers or exporters.
The biggest issue will be moving wool.
“Moving wool up here in Hawke’s Bay is impossible at the moment and getting wool off farm will be the last thing on farmers’ minds right now anyway.
“It’s a logistical issue all round. Even to get access to the Port of Napier will be challenging.
“It’s a disruption, but I suspect a lot of wool could sit in woolsheds for ages now.”
Hales said exporters will be directing wool to the Washdyke site in the meantime.
“I am sure we are going to cope. We have capacity to do 500t a week at Washdyke and once we get our Clive facility back up and running we can do over 3000 farm bales a week there.
“The effluent lines are good to go [at Clive]. Our guys are sitting there waiting to flick the switch as soon as there is electricity.”
As for the Awatoto facility, Hales is yet to learn the extent of the damage.
“There will be damage, we can’t get in to assess that yet, but the good news is a woolscour is designed to work in wet conditions. It will be the electrics affected and how long that will take to get sorted I don’t know, but I am expecting delays in getting the components and resources it will need.
“I just hope lessons are learnt from this. Everyone knew the stopbanks have been compromised for some time,” said Hales, who also criticised communications during and after the flooding.
