MELBOURNE: The world's largest suit retailer will officially sign with The Merino Company (TMC) tomorrow (November 3) on a deal with significant implications for Australian wool producers.
The contract will see Japan-based retailer Aoyama sign on to use TMC's Balanced ZeroCO2 wool to produce a range of carbon neutral suits. While Aoyama has already commenced work on the range, the signing will publicly cement the three-year deal.
TMC pools manager Angus Hooke said the Aoyama contract would deliver “stable and sustainable” returns for Australian wool growers.
“This contract represents an opportunity to enhance the reputation not only for The Merino Company and the Balanced ZeroCO2 brand, but also for Victoria and Australia. It is important for the retention of local jobs, secure farmer incomes and support for the environment,” Hooke said.
Attending the contract signing will be Aoyama CEO Osamu Aoyama as well as Aoyama senior management and representatives from the company's supply chain partners, Nikke and Toabo. Following the signing, all parties will attend a tree planting at the property of one of the Victorian-based wool suppliers.
TMC revealed it is working with environmental agency Landcare and the Australian government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) program to the arrange carbon offsets for the Aoyama contract.
TMC is an Australian-based company that works with over 400 local wool growers to market and sell their wool to various companies along the textile supply chain.