Elders WA wool operations manager Ryan Fletcher, left with Member for Rockingham Magenta Marshall and WA Minister for Agriculture and Food Jackie Jarvis tour the plant.

ELDERS Wool has officially launched the Western Australian hub in its revolutionary wool handling and storage system.

Western Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Jackie Jarvis, opened the Elders Wool Rockingham facility yesterday and a similar centre will be opened in Melbourne later this year.

The Rockingham hub with another in Ravenhall just off the Ballarat Highway in Melbourne is part of a $25m investment in wool handling by the agribusiness that will feature the world-first industry use of driverless autonomous laser-guided vehicles.

Elders said its investment is the largest single investment in wool handling this century and signified a long-term commitment to the Australian wool industry.

Elders said the Rockingham business builds on Elders’ existing wool offering, providing a full end-to-end service that aims to improve efficiency and outcomes for customers, getting wool to market faster and in front of international buyers.

At the Rockingham launch, from left, were Elders state general manager Matt Ericsson, state wool manager Dean Hubbard, WA wool operations manager Ryan Fletcher, Minister Jarvis, general manager agency Dave Adamson and EGM rural products Nick Fazekas.

Elders general manager agency Dave Adamson said Elders is excited to be bringing wool handling back into the Elders business.

“Today is a very exciting milestone for Elders.

“185 years ago the Elder family first began buying and financing wool and here today we honour that legacy as we continue to adapt and innovate in a changing wool industry, with a key focus on our clients and customers,” he said.

On the hub’s showfloor, from left Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshal, Elders general manager agency Dave Adamson and Minister for Agriculture and Food Jackie Jarvis.

“Elders is offering our clients across Western Australia a full end-to-end service that provides a quick and easy delivery experience from the farm gate.”

The Rockingham centre is located on the doorstep of the port of Fremantle, and will combine wool sale activities with storage and handling operations.

“The Rockingham centre fit-out has been designed to provide a unique experience for visitors.

“We have created a facility that brings together growers, buyers and Elders staff to connect and see the journey and results of their wool post farm-gate,” Mr Adamson said.

“The centre delivers state of the art systems and equipment, designed to offer industry-leading innovations and improve traceability and sustainability outcomes within the supply chain.

“The introduction of new technology at this site will make real improvements to sustainability and traceability across the wool supply chain,” he said.

“It is hoped that this, along with the quality showfloor, will mean that the Rockingham centre will be a welcomed addition to the WA wool industry.

“Since operations commenced, we have received overwhelming support from the industry for Elders’ investment here at Rockingham, and we are excited to offer our clients this new experience.”

“We are very proud to be making this investment, which aims to help our clients deliver the best, sustainable wool supply globally,” Mr Adamson said.

The new Elders Wool Rockingham hub.