AWN In response to declining sheep and wool production within the state, a full review of business costs was undertaken. Currently, wool sales utilise two showfloors—one for selling and the other for setting up the following week’s sale. This space is costly and required a new system. With this goal in mind, AWN has successfully implemented a new system for managing wool samples on its WA show floor, enhancing efficiency and organisation. This initiative, led by Greg Tilbrook, WA Manager for Wool & Livestock, was introduced over the recent holiday period and has proven effective.
The core innovation involves consolidating all wool samples into a streamlined showfloor. Samples are now arranged under their respective lot numbers for the following week’s sale, facilitating a smooth transition between weekly sales.
Once a week’s samples are removed after a sale, the new samples are immediately placed in their designated boxes, ready for the next auction.
While this system requires increased staffing during sample tip-out and setup, it has resulted in a more organised and efficient process. The primary challenge arises during weeks with public holidays—when the team must dismantle and set up sales on the same day.
In these instances, new samples are temporarily held under their new lot numbers until the current sale concludes, allowing buyers to reinspect purchased samples if needed. AWN addresses this by proactively informing the trade of these schedule adjustments.
This new approach represents a significant step forward in optimising AWN’s WA showfloor operations. By improving sample management, the company is enhancing efficiency and ensuring a smoother experience for both staff and buyers.
“I started my wool career on the showfloor and I always wondered why we did it this way. Now, running the business, I needed to look at all avenues to remove costs from the business, and this is one area where efficiencies and savings could be made. It also frees up floor space to be utilised better” – Greg Tilbrook
For further information, please contact:
Greg Tilbrook
WA Manager – Wool & Livestock
0407 303 721
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