UK-based company H.Dawson wool, an international wool suppliers and processors of raw wool and speciality fibers after a short absence from the Australian wool market is back buying wool. The company has been buying Australian wool since 1888 but following a required internal restructure and market conditions at the time, it temporarily closed the Australian component of its business in 2007.

H. Dawson Wool chief executive officer Jo Dawson said that his company jumped at the opportunity to become a player in the Australian wool market again. There is in an increase in demand for Australian wool and for fine wool in general. But the company would focus more on trying to promote Merino wool as a niche product.

Australia has a significant clip size and the quality of the wool is constant. Australian wool has a certain cache about it as well and is a product which is marketed really well throughout the world. Wool is becoming more in demand.

Mr Dawson said that Australia had always been a major part of the company's business and he was looking forward to delivering some of the world's best wool to a raft of industries, including carpets, interiors and clothing.

The newest face on the wool-buying floor also sent a message to Australian fine wool producers.

Mr Dawson said that he recognized that at the moment the returns for the fine and superfine producers were not what they needed to be. But he strongly urge those growers, where possible, to keep their faith. The wool they are producing is in demand.

The reason why their wool is currently at a lower value is simply because of oversupply and the world markets haven't quite been able to take that up yet.

But there are so many activities afoot throughout the world and such a great deal of interest in that type of wool, that if producers can just hold on a little longer they will be rewarded.

There is a need for that type of product and there have been developments going on in that sector that are just starting to become commercialized and believe prices will come up to a level that

H. Dawson plans to buy wool in all major Australian selling centres as the usage and demand for wool is getting greater and greater and has been for some time.