Raetihi wool firm changes hands

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 466, 15 December 1992, Page 16

Raetihi wool firm changes hands

Raetihi's wool broking business, Waimarino Wools, has changed hands. Local broker of 30 years, Tony Mosaed, has sold his business to the Cambridge-based firm Mannell and Follick. Mannell and Follick Limited was founded in 1958 in Cambridge by Tom Mannell and Jessel Follick. The firm also

had a subsidiary branch in Masterton called Beder Brothers, Limited, which was sold in 1985. After working for Mannell and Follick Limited for 10 years, Ron Cooper and his wife Lynda bought the business in 1983. It has grown from small beginnings to become one of the larger wool merchandising companies in New Zealand. With sheep numbers dropping drastically in the Waikato and Northern King Country over the last five years the company started looking further afield and could see an opening in Taumarunui. In 1989 they bought out Max Downey Woolbuyers Limited and Max is now the King Country Manager. They celebrated the opening of their new 16,000 square foot store in March this year in Taumarunui and also developed a large dag crushing operation in the existing Taumarunui store. Raetihi potential In 1991 they appointed a representative in the Waimarino area and saw the potential to have a base in Raetihi to offer a complete service to farmers. "So when Tony Mosaed offered me Waimarino Wools Limited as a going concern I decided to purchase it," said Mr Cooper. "We are very pleased to announce Shane Eades as our company's representative in the area and he comes to us having had a lot of experience in brokers stores, exporting, scouring and private buying." "Mannell and Follicks philosophy is based on prompt and efficient service from shed clean-ups ie dags and skins to main dip lines. In t o d a y ' s environment some farmers are wanting to know details of their dip before they sell it. We have facilities to offer full test certificates to IWTO standard on their wool or just a report test. We can offer prices on a clean or greasy basis. Tony's goal Tony Mosaed leaves Waimarino Wools with another goal set firmly in his sights - to meet and beat Peter Belliss in the national bowls championships. "You think I'm joking - but I've already told him, with more time on my hands I'll be practicirig a lot more. He better

watch out," said Tony last week. "I expect to be representing New Zealand within two years." After more than 30 years' work with Waimarino Wools, he has sold his business to Cambridge firm Mannell and Follick. Tony began working for Waimarino Wools about 1960, a year after the firm was started by Walter Wilson, Rex Weber and Claude Blau-. blom. He said in their first year the company made a loss, and in his first year as manager they made a profit. "It was soon a successful business, handling about 8500 bales of wool a year, mostly for export. Tony was given shares in the business as manager, then over a period of 10 years bought out the others as they retired, finally taking full - control about 17 years ago. "At the height we had a fleet of five or six trucks plus we used the local carriers, and we extended into Taihape and Taumarunui." "It was a great asset and employment opportunity in the area." Marriage difficulties in recent years saw Tony's interest in the business wane, until the decision to retire finally came. He leaves for Christchurch, but will be back often to help his son Chris run the Roy Turner Ski Shop in National Park. Asked if he will miss the business after so many years he said "of course, I love my job and I love the district. I'm going to miss the people, the fellowship of the job. A lot of the farmers are not only clients, they are good friends." Waimarino darts Results from a singles night played on Monday 7 December were as follows: Overall winner with 6 out of 6 was Kevin Webb with runners-up Lois Penning, Tibby Wallace and Stephen Wallace. Wooden spoon went to David Blick for losing all his games. Highest start went to Peter Zohs and Stephen Wallace with 160, highest score Kevin Webb with 140 and highest finish Stephen Wallace with 95. 1001 played ladies versus men and for once the ladies had a victory. The team was Lois, Kaylene, Rosalind, Nancy, Tibby, Bubba and Kathryn.