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Australian wool has always had a reputation as the best wool in the world, but other wool countries are improving their standards. Now, the Australian wool industry must continue to improve its standards to match and then exceed that standards of the competitors. The Guide to Australian Wool Quality is an important step in helping every sector of the wool pipeline to achieve these aims. What is quality and why is it important? There is a growing realisation in the Australian wool industry that quality must be defined in terms of the customer's ultimate perception of how well a particular product or service meets their expectations. A fundamental rule is that it is the customer who defines quality, not the producer. It is for this reason that a high degree of important must be placed on the customer-supplier relationship, something the industry has not done well in the past. "Quality" is providing the requested product and associated services at a competitive price and in a timely manner. The Chant Link report found that exporters, merchants and wool processors generally defined wool quality as "no surprises" or "true to description". "Quality is getting what I have ordered and want!" On the other hand, producers have tended to think of quality as raw wool characteristics, such as fibre fineness. From the customer's perspective, what elements constitute wool quality? There are many elements which cover such things as:  accurate product description (diameter,
yield, strength, etc) no contamination (either in bale or pack) accurate product identification and
associated documentation timeliness of delivery appropriate packaging produced and supplied through a robust and
highly creditable quality system  (from the paddock to the processor) meets customer order specifications the ability to handle and trace back
customer complaints and to correctmistakes so they do not occur again.The worldwide trend to quality systems Throughout the world, companies have come to realise the advantages of implementing and improving their own quality systems. Companies within the Australian wool industry are quickly moving in the same direction. The benefits of improved quality through the implementation of quality systems include:  The main benefits of improved quality Improvements in marketing: improved customer confidence, satisfaction
and loyalty repeat business better market accessImprovements in productivity: better products improved process efficiency better employee motivation and morale increased capacityCost reduction: less waste decreased liability and warranty costsUsing a quality system is all about getting it right the first time through the introduction of good, sensible business practices. Products which better meet customers' quality needs are ultimately much more saleable, attract better prices and sell first in competitively priced or oversupplied markets. |
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