Wools of New Zealand hosted its annual Product Innovation Awards at Domotex 2009 with an exceptional range of high-calibre entries from across the globe. The competition is aimed at encouraging new and commercial colour and styling developments in New Zealand wool for yarns, carpets and rugs and has resulted in the introduction of many successful ranges internationally.
Yarn Innovation Awards 2009 The yarn innovation awards attracted entries from the world’s premier carpet yarn spinners who engineered some of the most exciting wool yarns ever submitted to this established event. Designed and produced by the Wools of New Zealand team based at Ilkley, these yarn innovations were creatively translated into soft floorcoverings, combining new colours and inspirational & creative styling with highly-skilled technical ability to stimulate visiting carpet manufacturers for their design and market potential. The Yarn Innovator of the Year award is presented to the product receiving the most votes for both technical and visual excellence – judged by representatives from over 20 leading international carpet manufacturers.
‘Rustic Chenille’ yarn by Martinelli, Italy |
| - YARN INNOVATOR 2009: |
Martinelli Ginetto S.p.A., Italy
– Rustic Wool Chenille yarn |
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| - BEST VISUAL YARN: |
Martinelli Ginetto S.p.A., Italy
– Doupionné Wool Tweed yarn |
| - BEST TECHNICAL YARN: |
Radford Yarn Technologies, New Zealand
- Variegated Wool Felt yarn
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Carpet Innovation Awards 2009 This competition showcased over 40 new Wools of New Zealand branded products, consisting of carpets aimed at both the residential and contract sectors. The award categories this year included Best Tufted Carpet and Best Woven Carpet, the overall Best Wool Carpet prize being awarded to the company receiving the most votes for colour and styling. More than 30 high-profile representatives from the world’s carpet media and retail businesses adjudicated this event.
Colourbox and woven carpet entries by M.I.D., Netherlands |
| - BEST WOOL CARPET 2009: |
M.I.D., Netherlands – “Royalty Marillo Silk”
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| - BEST COLOUR RANGE: | Ryalux Carpets, UK – “V & A Twist” |
| - BEST TUFTED CARPET: |
Best Wool Carpets, Netherlands – “Grenoble”
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| - BEST WOVEN CARPET: |
Tisca Tiara, Switzerland – “Wollstruktur”
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Rug Design Awards 2009 The international response to the rug design awards was outstanding, with products ranging from intricate hand-tufted and carved creations to the most contemporary styles, reflecting the importance of rugs in interior design today. The judging panel unanimously chose Stepevi’s ‘Mienterra’ rug as the winner. This beautifully designed rug employs a highly technical process that creates a unique multi-dimensional design. Stepevi has coined this technique as ‘variable surface technology’. The rug is cut, textured and woven to create a sensual, flowing, deep surface treatment, creating a unique visual experience from all sides.
‘Mienterra’ rug by Stepevi, Turkey |
| - GOLD: |
Stepevi, Turkey – “Mienterra” |
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| - SILVER: | Yarns Wool Carpet, Hong Kong – “Full Moon” |
| - BRONZE: |
Shantou Dayang, China – “Monsoon” |
Design Excellence Awards 2009 Due to the number of outstanding entries encompassing colour and design, Wools of New Zealand presented two Design Excellence awards, one for the carpet section and one for rugs. Murakami of Japan received an award for an innovative textured woven carpet product – ‘Waffle Weave’, and Zhejiang of China was awarded this special prize for their ‘Doha’ rug.
All the awards underline the commitment to innovation and new product development by Wools of New Zealand carpet, rug and spinner partners worldwide – innovation is definitely the key to the future of the wool carpet industry.
Carpet Innovation Award winners:
l.-r. Andreas Tischhauser (Tisca, Switzerland), David Neville (Ryalux, UK), Darren Clanford (Ryalux, UK), Frank Conrad (Best Wool Carpets, Netherlands), Ad Aerts (M.I.D., Netherlands),
Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO), Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe)
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Rug Design Award winners:
l.-r. Stephen Tan (WNZ China Manager, on behalf of Shantou Dayang, China and Yarns Wool Carpet, Hong Kong), Mehmet Ornek (Stepevi, Turkey), Gönül Yolageldili (Stepevi, Turkey), Mehmet Besparmak (WNZ Consultant, Turkey), Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO), Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe) |
Yarn Innovation Award winners:
l.-r. Woody Radford (Radford Yarns, New Zealand), Filippo Camoni (Martinelli, Italy), Luciano Martinelli (Martinelli, Italy), Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO), Massimo Moreschi (Martinelli, Italy), Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe)
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l.-r.: Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO), Andreas Tischhauser (Tisca, Switzerland), Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe) |
l.-r.: Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO), Frank Conrad (Best Wool Cpts, Netherlands), Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe) |
l.-r: Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO),
Darren Clanford (Ryalux, UK),
Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe)
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l.-r: Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO),
Mehmet Örnek (Stepevi, Turkey)
Gönül Yolageldili (Stepevi, Turkey)
Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe)
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l.-r: Tim Lonsdale (WNZ CEO),
Massimo Moreschi (Martinelli, Italy)
Klaus Steimann (WNZ Manager Europe) |
For further information please contact:
Wools of New Zealand
International Development Centre
Little Lane
Ilkley, W Yorks
LS29 8UG
UK
Tel: +44 1943-603888
Fax: +44 1943-817083
info@woolsnz.co.uk
www.woolsnz.com
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