Elco Direct is one of the largest wool buyers in New Zealand. Established more than 50 years ago, the company has a team of buyers based in Cambridge (head office), Taumarunui, Raetihi, Taihape, Taupo, Stratford and Whanganui.

The company is fully owned subsidiary of Bremworth Ltd and is listed on the New Zealand Exchange.

And if you're wondering about the name Elco? It comes from E. Lichtenstein and Co which was a merchant wool scourer in the 1990s. When Cavalier Corporation bought the private wool buying firms of Des Davis Ltd and Mannell & Follick Ltd in 1995 to provide the merchant wool scouring business with wool, the name Elco Direct was coined to give these two wool buying firms some connection to that wool business.

Chris is the Business Development Manager for Elco Direct. Chris has grown up with wool and has spent over 20 years in the industry. Chris works directly with New Zealand farmers to source the finest quality wool and is passionate about increasing the value of NZ wool and getting it into everyone's homes.

Today, their legacy lives on, reminding us that true craftsmanship begins with a vision, a touch of innovation, and the dedication to create something that stands the test of time.

Shum is the branch manager for Raetihi, and having grown up in a family of shearers surrounded by wool, it was inevitable Shum would follow a career within the wool industry. Shum works closely with the farmers in his region to ensure the process of sourcing the wool, then sorting, processing and distributing the wool goes as smoothly as possible. Central to this is the relationships Shum has built with the farmers over the years.