Latest news with #TimDeane
RNZ News
18-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
NZDF staff to wear locally made socks
From this month on, our defence force staff will standing to attention with locally made socks on their feet. That's because The New Zealand Defence Force has struck a deal with Hawke's Bay apparel company Norsewear . The socks were previously brought in from the United States. Norsewear owner Tim Deane says it's also a real boost for his close-knit team of sock engineers based in the small Hawke's Bay town of Norsewood - population of just 150. Tim says the socks have been through "rigorous" testing involving real soldiers, sailors and pilots and are made using certified traceable fibre from Norsewear's farm partners. Norsewear owner Tim Deane joins Kathryn. Photo: Norsewear
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Win For Kiwi Wool As New Zealand Defence Force Chooses Norsewear
Norsewear - Latest News [Page 1] Company owner Tim Deane says it's a win for both New Zealand wool and local manufacturing, and a huge boost to the team at the heritage Kiwi business. More >> Norsewear Celebrates SOCKTOBER In Support Of Auckland City Mission Monday, 30 September 2024, 11:22 am | Norsewear Tim Deane, owner of heritage woollen apparel business Norsewear, saw a need and this month, he'll help fill it by celebrating Socktober – a buy one, donate one scheme he's running via the Norsewear website throughout the month of October. More >> Million Dollar China Deal 48 Hours After FTA Tuesday, 15 April 2008, 11:08 am | Norsewear New Zealand apparel company Norsewear is one of the first to benefit from the recently signed free trade agreement with China – securing an order worth close to a million dollars in less than 48 hours after the historic deal was signed. More >> Norsewear confirms details of sales Friday, 5 October 2007, 2:16 pm | Norsewear Norsewear today confirmed that the Norsewear brand has been sold to New Zealand clothing company Apparel Brands which has confirmed it will continue to make its world famous socks in New Zealand. More >> Norsewear And Swazi Shop Opens In Wellington Sunday, 18 March 2007, 3:20 pm | Norsewear Norsewear Chief Executive Robert Linterman says that the opening of a new joint venture Norsewear and Swazi store in central Wellington tomorrow is an example of the country coming to the town. More >> Norsewear Welcomes Buy Kiwi Made Marketing Campaig Monday, 12 March 2007, 11:05 am | Norsewear Norsewear Chief Executive Robert Linterman has welcomed the Government's announcement of a $6.3m marketing campaign for Buy Kiwi Made and defended it against recent criticism. More >> Norsewear Welcomes Buy Kiwi Made Funding Programme Thursday, 21 December 2006, 1:46 pm | Norsewear Norsewear Chief Executive Robert Linterman is welcoming the opening of the initial funding round for the contestable $3 million Buy Kiwi Made Regional and Sector Initiatives Fund. More >> 'Movember' at Norsewear – 100% New Zealand Made Mo Friday, 1 December 2006, 10:27 am | Norsewear As the month formerly known as November draws to a close, Norsewear Chief Executive Robert Linterman says the iconic New Zealand manufacturer will be donating a dollar a day for each of the male staff members who took part in the 'Movember' charity ... More >> 'Movember' at Norsewear – All for a Good Cause Wednesday, 15 November 2006, 11:04 am | Norsewear Iconic New Zealand manufacturer Norsewear is supporting a moustache growing charity event to raise money for men's health in New Zealand, says Chief Executive Robert Linterman. More >> Norsewear Welcomes Buy NZ Made Decision Tuesday, 10 October 2006, 11:06 am | Norsewear Norsewear CEO Robert Linterman has welcomed the Government's announcement that the Buy New Zealand Made and Buy Kiwi Made brands will be reserved for products actually made here. More >> New Store Proud to Be New Zealand Made - Norsewear Monday, 2 October 2006, 9:40 am | Norsewear There is a new retail store opening in Otaki over Labour weekend that is proud to stock only true New Zealand Made products, says Norsewear CEO Robert Linterman. 'The new store will be selling products from genuine New Zealand manufacturers – mainly ... More >> Manufacturers Working Hard in Trying Conditions Monday, 18 September 2006, 9:39 am | Norsewear The latest survey of manufacturing activity in New Zealand shows that local manufacturers are working hard in a difficult environment, says Norsewear CEO Robert Linterman. 'These businesses have made the decision to stay in New Zealand, make their products ... More >> A Way Forward For 'Buy NZ Made' - Norsewear Friday, 18 August 2006, 11:08 am | Norsewear The Government is being urged by Norsewear CEO Robert Linterman to consider developing a new and separate brand to promote New Zealand services and goods manufactured off-shore in order to protect the integrity of the 'Buy New Zealand Made' campaign. More >> "Buy Kiwi Made" Should Not Be Undermined Tuesday, 15 August 2006, 11:03 am | Norsewear Norsewear New Zealand is warning that the value of both the 'Buy New Zealand Made and 'Buy Kiwi Made campaigns will be undermined if products not made in New Zealand are included. More >>
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Win For Kiwi Wool As New Zealand Defence Force Chooses Norsewear
Some of our toughest Kiwis are now wearing comfortable, hardwearing New Zealand wool socks, thanks to a decision by the New Zealand Defence (NZDF) to use socks made by New Zealand apparel company Norsewear. From this month on, all new Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa New Zealand Defence Force recruits will be kitted out in premium, durable, extra soft and super warm Norsewear socks, made from traceable merino and mid-micron wool sourced from New Zealand farms. The socks, which were put to the test against a number of other brands during a rigorous trial involving hundreds of real soldiers, sailors and aviators, are crafted by experienced sock engineers at Norsewear's southern Hawke's Bay factory. Company owner Tim Deane says it's 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. And to have NZDF recognise their superior comfort and durability in the very toughest of conditions is just magic,' he says. It was a combination of factors that led to Norsewear's selection, says Tim. '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. That's pretty important for our service personnel out in the field, battling the elements and in high pressure environments. The very last thing they need to be worried about is sore, wet, or cold feet.' Tim says securing the NZDF contract through ADA New Zealand, who had previously brought in socks from the United States, has enabled the purchase of two new state-of-the-art Italian knitting machines that are now installed and busy producing thousands of pairs of woollen socks, using Wool Integrity New Zealand certified traceable fibre from Norsewear's 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' continues Tim. '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.' Tim has also employed two more staff to meet demand in the town of Norsewear, where the socks are made. With a population of just 150, Norsewear - famous for its wide range of socks, from the ubiquitous Farm Flecks through to highly technical hiking socks - already employs a team member from around two thirds of local families. Tony McQuillan, Director Defence Equipment Management Organisation, NZDF says 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,' he says. Collaborating with Norsewear delivers value to the New Zealand wool industry, concludes Tim, 'and it's a positive step in the Government's mission of supporting regional economies and reducing our reliance on overseas suppliers for contracts of this nature. 'The whole team at Norsewear is buzzing right now – we're proud to be chosen, we're proud to contribute, and we're really proud to be using the very best fibre in the world to get the job done.' About Norsewear Norsewear has been making the finest woollen socks, gloves and beanies for outdoor people, right here in New Zealand for over 60 years. The factory in Norsewood (pop. about 150), at the foot of the Ruahine ranges in southern Hawke's Bay, is a vital part of the local community. All the design, manufacturing, printing, quality control, packing and shipping is done there, using only the best merino, possum, and strong wool. Norsewear's senior design and technical team have over 100 years of sock making experience between them and are amongst the most respected sock engineers in Australasia. In 2023, the Norsewear brand and factory was bought by the Deane family, who share a passion for wool, a commitment to local manufacturing, and an unwavering belief that New Zealand can grow goodness and wealth for local rural communities by taking Norsewear to the world.
