Media Release - Passing on the Reins
MEDIA RELEASE – 7 February 2008
PASSING ON THE REINS
Michell Chairman Retires
After nearly 60 years involvement with the iconic, South Australian-based family wool business Michell Pty Ltd, fourth generation family member John Michell last night officially retired from his position as company chairman.
Australian government and business dignitaries were among those who attended an intimate function at the Art Gallery of South Australia last night, to pay tribute to John Michell and acknowledge the enormous impact he has had on the highly competitive textile industry.
John Michell first joined the family company – then known as G.H. Michell & Sons Pty Ltd - in 1949 and over the past six decades he has worked across most sectors of the business – from wool sorting and selling to marketing, hide and sheepskin tanning, management and various advisory roles. He was the company’s managing director for 22 years and chairman for two more – before a brief retirement in 2001.
In June of 2003, Michell Australia Pty Ltd sold off its wool processing and trading operation to John Michell and his two sons – fifth generation brothers David and Peter Michell. Michell Pty Ltd was born - with David and Peter Michell assuming positions as managing directors and John Michell returning from retirement - to take on the position of chairman of the reincarnated business.
Over the past four years, Michell Pty Ltd has thrived under its new ownership structure and the experienced guidance of John Michell in the chairman’s role. The company has built on its established reputation and today Michell Pty Ltd is widely regarded again as one of the world’s leading specialist wool fibre businesses.
With John Michell’s retirement, David Michell takes up the chairman’s position and his brother Peter assumes the sole managing directorship of Michell Pty Ltd.
“Since we launched Michell Pty Ltd in 2003, the business has experienced strong growth – especially into international markets like China,” said Peter Michell.
“Having John as chairman through the start of this new era for the company has been immensely beneficial and much of our success can be attributed to his guidance, experience and extensive knowledge of the textile industry,” Mr Michell said. “While he will be missed in the chairman’s role, I know he is delighted David will assume his position and we’re all extremely confident about the direction in which Michell is headed.”
www.michellwool.com
Michell Pty Ltd is a South Australian-based specialist fibre business, with brothers David and Peter Michell as Managing Directors.
Issued for Michell Pty Ltd by Foster Hill PR & Marketing.
For more information, please contact Karyn Foster or Skye Murtagh on
+ 61 8 8231 3555 or email: fh@fosterhill.com.au