Quality Softwools Australia (QSA) was formed in the depths of the wool depression in 1992 by Dr Jim Watts, a scientist specialising in skin biology of sheep and Charlie Massey, a stud merino breeder. They believed that a successful business could be built around keeping superior, or as they became known, SRS® (soft rolling skin) wool types segregated through the wool processing pipeline.
A chance meeting between Charlie Massey and Bryan Lodder, CEO of Parkland Textiles UK led to a lucrative deal which saw QSA supply Australian merino wool direct to Parkland. The superior quality of the SRS® 17.5 micron ultra-fine merino wool led Parkland to establish the boutique “Snowy River” label which was distributed internationally by the prestigious Holland and Sherry of Saville Row.
On the other hand the Australian market for yarn was not as lucrative and the demise of the Australian manufacturing industry led QSA to change direction from supplying finished yarn to actually producing finished knitwear. The timing of this change co-incided with the owners of Toorallie needing a new business partner, the two entities merged and now produce some of the most outstanding quality knitwear in Australia.
Visit the range at www.toorallie.com.au