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Key Test Data Summary for April 2025
The monthly comparisons of Total Lots, Bales and Weight tested for April 2025 compared with...Key Test Data Summary for February 2025
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The monthly comparisons of Total Lots, Bales and Weight tested for January 2025 compared with...About Us
AWTA Ltd (Australian Wool Testing Authority) is the largest wool testing organisation in the world.
As a consolidated group, AWTA comprises of 3 operating divisions in Australia (AWTA Raw Wool, AWTA Product Testing and Agrifood Technology), its wholly owned subsidiary NZWTA and its joint venture, JinAo Testing Company.
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About
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
To assist or promote the development of the pastoral, agricultural, manufacturing and industrial resources of Australia, in particular, by providing independent objective data and information services which will facilitate the efficient production, marketing and processing of wool, other fibres, textile products and related materials.
Vision
To maintain a national and international reputation for technical expertise, commercial independence and professional integrity by providing accurate, impartial and efficient sampling, testing and certification services to our customers.
Values
- To maintain technical excellence, by taking maximum advantage of emerging technologies and providing staff with the knowledge, skills and equipment to improve customer service and lower costs.
- To ensure commercial independence in all activities.
- To insist on professional integrity within the Company, by remaining impartial and avoiding conflicts of interest.
- To be alert and responsive, by monitoring and understanding the changing needs of clients.
- To ensure that a reliable business continuity plan is in place, to minimise disruption to the wool marketing process in the event of a disaster.
- To foster sound industrial relations, based on mutual respect and recognition of the common interests which are shared with all employees and managerial staff.
- To aspire to provide a safe and satisfying working environment, which encourages employee participation and is supported by appropriate training and development programs.
- To seek to meet all legal and moral obligations of a good corporate citizen.
- To adopt business strategies which transfer cost saving benefits arising from the Company’s income tax exemption, so as to assist or promote the development of the relevant industrial resources of Australia.
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Charter
Whilst AWTA Ltd is not a listed company, where applicable to its structure, it follows the ASX’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.
The Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the Company, including its strategic direction, major policies and financial objectives. The Board has adopted a Charter that delineates its role and the role of individual Directors. The Corporate Governance Charter and Guide for Directors and Officers is publicly available on the Company’s website.
Corporate Conduct & Ethics
The Company recognises that it is vital to it is continuing success that its staff maintain the highest possible reputation for technical expertise, commercial efficiency, impartiality, independence, equal opportunity and professional integrity. To ensure that they are aware of the ethical framework in which they are required to work, each staff employee is required to read and sign the Company’s Corporate Conduct & Ethics Policy. This policy sets broad guidelines for conduct and reflects AWTA Ltd’s corporate “conscience” by promoting the highest levels of behaviour.
Corporate Objectives
Customer service is a central facet of AWTA Ltd's management culture. While this is described in detail in the Company's Mission, Vision and Values statement, it is more succinctly described by the Company's Corporate Objectives, namely:
- To maintain a national and international reputation for technical expertise, commercial independence and professional integrity.
- To provide accurate, impartial and efficient sampling, testing, data processing and certification services as required by the wool, other fibre and textile industries at a minimum cost.
- To enhance the profitability of the Australian Wool Industry by encouraging the optimum application of objective measurement.
Climate Reporting
As a responsible corporate citizen, we are committed to taking measures to mitigate climate risks. We need to reduce our impact on the climate by reducing our absolute greenhouse gas emissions and by promoting sustainable business practices.
See AWTA’s Climate Statement here: AWTA Climate Statement
History
The Australian Wool Testing Authority was established in 1957 by the Commonwealth Government in response to requests from the Australian wool industry, and was created as a Statutory Authority reporting to the Minister for Primary Industry. The first meeting of the Authority was held on 12th December 1957.
Objectives
The objectives for which the Company was established were and are still enshrined in its Memorandum. They include the following:
- To promote sales of Australian wool by encouraging the growth and utilisation of objective measurement of wool, particularly by presale testing.
- To test wool and other fibres, whether natural or otherwise, and wool products and similar products made wholly or partly from other fibres.
- To provide an accurate and impartial testing service based upon internationally recognised testing standards as an aid to efficient wool marketing.
- To conduct wool, fibre and textile research and/or to carry out tests on other materials and products where such activities assist or promote the development of the pastoral, agricultural, manufacturing or industrial resources of Australia.
- To maximise the net income of the Australian wool industry by encouraging the optimum application of objective measurement of wool by wool growers, brokers, buyers and both local and overseas processors.
- To optimise wool industry productivity through research and the implementation of new systems and technology.
- To establish, equip and maintain laboratories, workshops and other places suitable for testing and research activities.
- To provide and encourage the provision of data processing services aimed at the more efficient marketing of wool.
- Generally to promote and foster the more efficient testing of wool as required by the wool and textile industry at a minimum cost.
- To provide certificates and make reports in respect of test and research carried out by the Authority.