New Zealand Defence Force recruits will now be kitted out in Norsewear socks made from traceable wool sourced from New Zealand farms and knitted at the company’s southern Hawke’s Bay factory.
Norsewear owner Tim Deane says the result is a win for both New Zealand wool and local manufacturing, and a huge boost to the team at the heritage Kiwi business.
“Thanks to the team at ADA New Zealand, who initiated talks between Norsewear and NZDF, our military are now marching out in what we believe to be the very best socks in the world,” said Mr Deane.
“And to have NZDF recognise their superior comfort and durability in the very toughest of conditions is just magic,” he said.
Securing the NZDF contract through ADA New Zealand, who had previously brought in socks from the United States, has enabled the company to purchase two new state-of-the-art Italian knitting machines. These are now installed and producing thousands of pairs of woollen socks, using Wool Integrity New Zealand certified traceable fibre from South Island farm partners.
“We’ve refined our design to meet the specific needs of the New Zealand Army, Navy and Air Force, delivered at a competitive price.”
Tony McQuillan, Director Defence Equipment Management Organisation, NZDF said that the footwear is a crucial part of military clothing and Norsewear was able to prove it would meet specific standards.
“Importantly, being New Zealand made and using New Zealand wool also delivers carbon footprint benefits,” said Mr McQuillan.
Norsewear has employed two additional staff to meet demand in the town of Norsewood, where the socks are made. The company already employs a team member from around two thirds of local families.
“By using the best New Zealand wool and local manufacturing expertise, we’ve developed socks that are a step ahead of others – they don’t just last longer, they deliver great comfort and temperature control, help protect feet from injury, ward off bacteria, and are odour resistant too,” said Mr Deane.
“We’ve refined our design to meet the specific needs of the New Zealand Army, Navy and Air Force, delivered at a competitive price. That means the Kiwi military gets great socks, NZDF gets more flexibility on supply along with clarity of the whole supply chain, and we buy more wool from New Zealand farmers to fulfil the contract.”
