AUSTRALIAN fine wool will keep babies riding in luxury in 50 countries.
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Dutch pram and stroller producer Bugaboo has launched a range of rugs and pram accessories created exclusively with Australian wool.
The seat liner, mattress cover and blanket will be sold in 2000 stores around the world.
Bugaboo co-founder Eduard Zanen, chief sales offi cer Mieke van der Loo and chief marketing officer Madeleen Klaasen arrived from Holland to launch the new line at Lal Lal Estate, south of Ballarat, last week.
“We don’t do a lot of partnerships. When we do, we look for the best possible fit,” Ms van der Loo said.
“(Australian wool) is the best quality wool there is.
“These products will be part of our permanent collection sold globally. They will fit all four of our models of stroller.”
Lal Lal Estate was selected as the venue for the launch because it is a Woolmark certifi ed farm.
It presented the three Bugaboo executives with an opportunity to see the production process for Australian wool.
“I’m really impressed. This is a fifth generation farm here. You can feel the history,” Ms van der Loo said.
“It is quite different to what we’ve seen. You could not imagine how big it is.
Mieke van der Loo and Eduard Zanen at Lal Lal Estate. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
“We also saw the traditional shearing of the sheep. It's like a craft.”
The Bugaboo mattress protector is produced using 19.5 micron wool, while the seat cover uses 23-27 micron wool.
Australian Wool Innovation had approached Bugaboo in Holland about a potential partnership.
“We are always looking for the best possible brand partners,” AWI mothers and babies category manager Carol Stubbs said.
“Bugaboo is one of most high-quality stroller brands and they do accessories.
“We have a country manager in Holland and she had a conversation with someone at the company. They were already interested in using wool.
“They are an established company and didn’t need us to produce the product but we helped them source appropriate quality material.
“It is a way for us to get the message out there about wool as a fibre of choice.”
The wool accessories range was launched in the northern hemisphere late last year before the southern hemisphere launch at Lal Lal Estate last week.