Wool.

This year is proving to be interesting and challenging for so many businesses. I’m not going to go into gloomy geo-political economics, but I’m basing my ramblings on what I personally know & checked … get me verifying!

The Strait of Hormuz. I hadn’t a clue where that was until this year.

Given the ongoing predicament in this part of the world, we, as customers, are having to pay more for many things across the board.

For example. Upholstery foam prices have increased by 40%, affecting household furniture.

Plastic plant pots are apparently in short supply. A plant nursery has had an issue sourcing plastic plant pots.

Manufacturing and transportation costs have increased.

Back to Wool. As we know, wool fleeces come from sheep, a natural, versatile, sustainable fibre which is gathered and manufactured into many products.

Cleaning, manufacturing, and production of UK wool products are carried out in Great Britain.

Wool was and still is used by traditional UK furniture makers as filler/stuffing for upholstery.

Innovative businesses are selling and promoting wool-based horticulture products that can be used for propagation, plant growing, and gardening.

It’s time to realise that we can pivot in these challenging times. Sustainable solutions are right on our doorstep. With between 60 and 90 breeds of sheep in the UK and approximately 32 million kilos of wool produced each year, businesses that utilise wool as an alternative to plastic- or oil-based products are amongst us.

Wool is a solution … Who would have thought!