CARPETS & FELT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 May 1939, Page 9

CARPETS & FELT

IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL z EXPANSION. USE OF NEW ZEALAND MATERIALS. The establishment in the near future of two industries of major importance to New Zealand —the manufacture of carpets and felts—is announced by Felt and Textiles of Australia Ltd., whose Managing Director, Mr H. Van de Velde is at present visiting New Zealand. Felt and Textiles of Australia Ltd. is a public company incorporated in New South Wales and conducts throughout Australia and in New Zealand .and South Africa, a number of manufacturing enterprises. In New Zealand, it is Felt and Textiles of Australia Ltd’s, intention to extend operations of a subsidiary company, John Grant • and Company, Ltd., to include the manufacture of all types of felt and plain and stippled body carpets. At present John Grant Company Ltd. is manufacturing flock, padding and underfelt in modern factory premises at Gracefield Road in the Lower Hutt industrial district. In order to house the carpet and felt industries, extensive buildings with a total area of some 50,000 square feet are to be erected in the same locality as the company’s present factory.

The plant required for the two industries is extensive and will be procured from Australia and the United Kingdom, some of the machinery requiring to be specially made. To commence with, it is proposed to produce only plain and stippled body carpets for which there is a considerable demand which in the past has 'been principally met by Continental manufacturers. All types of felt will be produced, the principal New Zealand requirements being felt for manufacture of slippers, art felts foi’ floor coverings, millinery felts, cattle cover and saddle lining felts and felt for engineering purposes.

The industries are of major importance to New Zealand as they will require supplies of both New Zealand raw materials and labour. Felt and Textiles of Australia, Ltd., have always been large purchasers of New Zealand crossbred wool for these industries in Australia and their requirements will increase with the establishment of the

local industries. Considerable employment will be created by the industries, chiefly in male labour of a semi-skilled type. The board of directors of Felt and Textiles of Australia Ltd. has decided to establish the industries, without delay, and the erection of the factory buildings will be commenced immediately. It is anticipated that the plant will be in production early in 1940 and will be capable of supplying all the requirements of the New Zealand trade in plain, and stippled body carpets and felts. As trade warrants, extension of manufacturing activities will be arranged. The initial venture may be regarded as only a forerunner of the eventual development of the industries which should prove a notable acquisition to New Zealand in its Centennial year.