During a press conference at the recent SpinExpo in Shanghai, Massimiliano Zegna Baruffa and Michell 1870 announced their decision to work together with new shared perspectives in a new productivity and quality oriented idea.

Michell has shown a different way of managing the supply chain from processing wool from farmers to tops in Australia, and Zegna Baruffa (Biella, Italy) bought tops from Michell and turned them into innovative yarns.

This new global challenge will involve direct contact with Australian farmers to environmental-friendly washing in Adelaide plants (Australia), from top making and wool treatment in Malaysia to complete spinning process in Kuala Lumpur, from Research and development centre in Biella to dyeing in Thailand, from fine yarn spinning in Italy to knitwear production in the Far East.

“We decided to put combine our two centuries of heritage and experience together in the history of textiles to make something new that would be vertically integrated-from sheep to shelf”, said David Michell, Chairman, Michell 1870. “Today’s innovation is tomorrow’s heritage.”

Michell 1870 will use new design technologies for innovative spinning to build a full range of exciting new products to new markets including yarns, fabrics, circular knits and garments. This full integrated system brings together the entire wool supply chain from farm to spinning to garments, with a focus on quality, prompt delivery of product at the right price.

The yarns, in their development stage, will have a new structure, employing new technologies, new visual aspects and hand feel offering more strength and elasticity, setting a new standard for worsted yarns. The product which will be taken to market in the coming year, will be the best available, easy to knit and competitive in cost. 

“We are moving forward rapidly with this new venture which will reduce number of profit margins in the supply chain. We can buy directly from the farmers and own each stage of process which ensures quality at every stage and maximizes the steps of the fibre. It’s going to be an exciting journey over the next twelve months. Our brand new yarn will be the most exciting thing to happen in this industry in a long time”, added Peter Michell, CEO, Michell 1870.