Wool Insulation Factory Moves Into Sparks

In a Sparks Warehouse employees of Havelock Wool open 1,000-pound bales of wool that spills onto the floor like fluffy clouds. 

“If you come in at the right time, you might find someone diving off the top, into that big pile of wool which is quite a bit of fun.”

Havelock Co-Founder Andrew Legge spent a year building a production line with 70-year old wool processing equipment. He says the effort is paying off and the insulation he produces is sold as a high-end sustainable alternative to fiberglass. The company hopes to nearly triple production and staff this year. Legge says the insulation production is an early indicator of New Zealand’s untapped export market. He plans to import food and health care products next year.

“Endless number of small businesses that would stand to expand quite well if they could better understand export opportunities.”

Legge says New Zealand’s products like wool fit with the American public’s growing appetite for healthy and sustainable lifestyles.