HD®Wool Sourcing Journal

® TRACEABLE WOOL GROWERS

A S S U R E D B Y T H E WO O L K E E P E R S ®

® TRACEABLE WOOL GROWERS

I N T RO D U C T I O N We are a community with a deep appreciation for the environment, animal welfare and the individuals who contribute to making traceable natural wool products.

At the heart of HD® Wool is our transparent and sustainable farm-to-customer value chain, The Woolkeepers®, which ensures unique wool fibres can be traced back to their origins, guaranteeing authenticity and quality.

Born from four generations of expertise from our parent brand H Dawson, HD® Wool has revolutionised the use of wool as a natural and high-performing active insulation in the 21st century. From farming in Yorkshire to international wool trading, we are a frontrunner in the industry, driven by people & innovation.

At the centre of everything we do, lies a distinguished ecosystem of wool growers who uphold the highest standards of welfare, environmental conservation and transparency. Our exclusive bond with The Woolkeepers® ensures that every aspect of the sourcing process, from farm gate to factory door, adheres to shared values of fair price, assurance and community.

Within these pages, we invite you to immerse yourself in the journey of how HD® Wool’s exceptional products are brought to life through The Woolkeepers®.

O U R H I S T O RY E X P E RT S I N W O O L S I N C E 1 8 8 8 HD® Wool Apparel Insulation was created by H. Dawson through partnerships in the early 2000’s with brands who wanted to develop hand selected British wool into the apparel market.

Drawing upon the authenticity and over 130yrs of expertise within our business, we are proud today to provide of a range of natural and renewable natural insulation solutions. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and excellence, our insulation products provide breathability, odour inhibition and unmatched moisture management in machine-washable weights.

Our extensive experience in the world of wool positions us perfectly to identify ethically grown wool and ensure traceability through The Woolkeepers® quality assurance platform.

OUR SOURCING In 2019, H. Dawson and HD® Wool sparked the creation of The Woolkeepers®, a unique community comprising of farmers and like-minded companies dedicated to sustainability and fairness throughout the wool supply chain.

By sourcing wool exclusively from The Woolkeepers®, HD® Wool ensures animal welfare practices and fair payment to farmers. Together, we foster an interconnected ecosystem that empowers sheep farmers, supports their growth and creates a more equitable and sustainable future for the entire wool industry.

Our bond with The Woolkeepers® provides assurance to brands that our processes are transparent and rigorous, supported by independent third-party verification of farm assurance, such as Responsible Wool Standard and Land To Market. These standards allow growers to be recognised for their commitment to safety, animal welfare, land management, traceability, environment and biodiversity.

® TRACEABLE WOOL GROWERS

THE WOOLKEEPERS® WORLD

The Woolkeepers® was founded on the belief that sheep farmers should be rewarded for their progressive farming practices that yield high-quality wool. The community delivers an assurance programme which leverages existing standards, whilst recognising and paying farmers a fair price for their work on animal welfare, safety, land use, environmental protection and biodiversity.

Today, The Woolkeepers® represents over 600 selected farmers and provides them with routes to market, by promoting a range of benefits previously unrepresented in wool production and in coarser wool types. These benefits include improved livestock performance, animal health, biodiversity and plant root structure, all the while aiming to deliver profitability from growing and harvesting the fleece. All of this helps to highlight to end users the positive impact of wool growing and production.

The holistic approach adopted by The Woolkeepers® offers unique advantages over traditional practices. By considering soil health, animal welfare, water and air quality in addition to sustainability, The Woolkeepers® supports a complete ecosystem that works with nature rather than against it. This approach allows brands and manufacturers to demonstrate a deeper level of commitment to their customers, which goes beyond sustainability. The Woolkeepers® are dedicated to promoting a better way of farming that safeguards the livelihoods of farmers, protects the environment and offers a source of high-quality wool.

FOUNDING PRINCIPLES FA I R P R I C E , T R AC E A B L E , C E RT I F I E D WO O L

FA I R P R I C E The Woolkeepers® programme aims to reverse the financial strain on wool production by covering the cost of shearing, a significant expense for most farmers. This helps to encourage farmers to prioritise animal welfare and ethical farming practices, which is a key goal of the programme. Payment is made directly to the farmer and a fixed price per kilogram is set at the start of the shearing season. The programme strives to offer a fair and market-leading price, which makes wool production a profitable exercise.

OUR COMMUNITY The Woolkeepers® programme fosters a community of practice, providing direct insight and learning opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders who share a passion for wool. By being part of the community, farmers and partners throughout the wool supply chain gain access to a network of like-minded individuals who are committed to creating an ethical wool industry.

Through knowledge-sharing, the community shares valuable resources and expertise to implement responsible wool growing and regenerative practices on their own farms. It also offers a sense of fellowship and support, allowing farmers to connect and share their successes and challenges.

By working together and learning from one another, The Woolkeepers® community is elevating the industry and demonstrating on an international level the importance of animal welfare, land management, and social outcomes.

TRACEABILITY Sheep are shorn annually to harvest their wool, which is packed and transported to a grading depot for segregation and bailing by certification scheme. The wool is then washed with REACH compliant surfactants to remove grease and processed to eliminate any impurities before being treated and transformed into finished products. The Woolkeepers® ensure traceability by annually auditing all wool passing through their supply chain. This includes sourcing wool responsibly and processing it to the highest quality standards.

Farm and flock

Shearing at farm

Wool collection at regional warehouse

Segregation by certification scheme

Scouring

Conditioning

Manufacturing

A S S U R A N C E F E AT U R E S ® TRACEABLE WOOL GROWERS

The Woolkeepers® leverage existing farm standards where producers are recognised for the work they carry out on safety, animal welfare, land, traceability, environment and biodiversity. This unique sourcing model enables a community, provides assurance of fair price and verifies traceability through 3rd party auditing.

Standard / Framework Farm Assurance from Red Tractor

• • •

Description Assurance Leading UK farm assurance standard.

Benchmarks UK farm management and quality Product is traceable, safe and farmed with produce. care.

Farm to finished food or fibre product.

Product is responsibly grown.

Responsible Wool Standard

Land To Market

• •

•

Global voluntary fibre standard.

Benchmarks and defines responsible wool production from farm to finished product.

Global scheme verifying produce through regenerative farming

Sheep farmers meet global animal welfare, land management and biodiversity requirements.

Part 1: Ecological Outcome Verification - Monitors improvements in ecosystems, biodiversity and soil.

Part 2: Land to Market verification seal for consumers

License No. 128774 18month audit cycle 189520 12month audit cycle 0013a 00001uRXhZ 12month audit cycle

V E R I F I C AT I O N

Photo credit: finisterre

The Woolkeepers® was founded in the UK where the wool production landscape is characterised by mountains, moors and paddocks, resulting in smaller flock sizes compared to merino farming. As a result, we group farmers based on certification scheme, fibre quality and breed to ensure that we can process commercial quantities and pay a higher premium to the farmers.

With each wool processing, we create a unique blend that is identifiable by the above traits and the farm location. We exclusively source wool from our group of Woolkeepers®, and to simplify the identification process, we assign a QR code and group number to each blend. This number helps us provide you with information on the exact farmers who helped grow your wool.

We would like to thank you for your interest in HD® Wool and our dedication to sustainability, regenerative agriculture and ethical practices. Together, we have the power to shape a brighter and more sustainable future for the wool industry.

Our mission is to drive social and environmental change by spreading awareness about the benefits of wool growing and production.

When you choose HD® Wool, you join a community that shares a deep appreciation for the environment, animal welfare and the individuals who contribute to creating these exceptional fully traceable products.

UK Head office Nicola Davies | HD® Wool Sales Director nicola.davies@hdwool.com Alison Atkins | Woolkeepers® Community Manager alison.atkins@woolkeeper.com HD® Wool | Salts Mill | Victoria Road | Shipley UK | BD18 3LA | +44 (0)1274 727464 www.hdwool.com

European Distributors and Stock Holder Sven Herold | Head of Sales +46 (0) 70 65 922 65 Sven.herold@rudholm-hk.se www.RudholmGroup.com

Global Manufacturing Partner www.shinih.com

W WWOOL W. H D WOOL.COM INSULATION W W W. W O O L K E E P E R S . C O . U K

HD® Wool Ltd | Salts Mill | Victoria Road | Shipley

A S S UUK R E| D BD18 B Y3LA TH | +44 E WO (0)1274 O L727464 KEEPERS