Refurbished Westwools Carpets Co now uses latest technology

2/7/98

The humble carpet entered a new era in Western Australia today when a new generation of state-of-the-art carpets began to roll off the presses at the refurbished premises of Westwools Carpets in O'Connor.

The company - the only wholly WA-owned carpet manufacturer - now boasts arguably the best carpet technology in Australia after investing $1 million in the latest generation of hi-tech equipment.

The centrepiece is the most modern computerised graphic tufting machine in the southern hemisphere. Only two exist in the world. The machine uses complex computer graphics to create an intricate new range of carpet designs.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan was on hand today to observe the first job off the machine - a stunning new carpet for the Mount Street Hotel.

Mr Cowan said Westwools was a highly regarded WA company. It was recently awarded a four- year contract to supply 85 per cent of the State Government's carpet needs, worth more than $1.5 million a year.

"Westwools is an excellent example of the potential for local firms to be competitive suppliers," he said.

"It won the State Government contract in open competition, yet the company's commitment to using WA-grown and processed wool will also provide stability to the local wool processing industry."

Mr Cowan said the State Government, through the Department of Commerce and Trade, had a long and productive association with Westwools, which included providing assistance with export promotion and enterprise improvement.

The department also participated in developing and implementing the State Government's tender process.

Westwools was established in 1980 and despite difficult times for the wool and textile industries, the company had successfully increased turnover from $4 million 10 years ago to $11 million today. It employed 52 staff in WA and a further 12 for sales and marketing in other States.

Mr Cowan said Westwools was also internationally competitive with sales to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

The Minister also presented five Westwools employees with certificates acknowledging their successful participation in industry training courses jointly organised by the company, the Light Manufacturing Industry Training Council and the South-East Metropolitan College of TAFE.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595