welcome to the ashford world of spinning, weaving and ... · in 1934 walter ashford founded ashford...
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USA Dealer Direct Service
Welcome to the Ashford world of spinning, weaving and textile crafts
• Ashford is the trusted name in the world of textile crafts.
• We offer the complete range of spinning, weaving, carding and felting equipment, fibers and yarns.
• We give you access to our complete range from our fully-stocked warehouse.
• We support our dealers with ready-to-use marketing and promotional materials including web and print-ready photos of all our products.
• We promote our dealers on our website, advertising and at shows.
• We are the world-leaders in our field.
• We have made over 800,000 spinning wheels and weaving looms since 1934.
• Our wheels and looms have been sold, used and loved in the USA for over fifty years.
• We are a family business with the third generation taking the company into the future.
• We are committed to making quality, well-designed, affordable equipment.
• We offer a Dealer-only website with online ordering, more information, FAQs, and product updates.
• We offer hassle-free daily despatch, directly to your door.
• We have years of experience shipping to all parts of the world.
• We live in New Zealand, a country with a rich and long heritage of wool and textiles.
ASHFORD SINCE 1934
We have made over 800,000 spinning wheels and weaving looms
We know our sheep and wool!
1-888-982-SPIN
We offer a complete range of spinning wheels and weaving looms
With direct service dealers enjoy:
• Our full range of textile equipment, fibers and yarns supplied from our fully-stocked warehouse.
• The “one-stop-shop” for all textile craft supplies.
• Same day despatch.
• Quick delivery times to the USA with DHL (3-6 business days). Customs cleared and delivered to your door.
• Drop shipment service direct to your customers.
• Stable fixed pricing in US Dollars.
• Being the first to know about new products, so you can order and supply your customers immediately.
• Our weaving and knitting yarn available all year – there is no need to indent, and no minimums.
• Direct access to the manufacturer for expert advice.
• Our marketing team's assistance with the latest promotional material.
• Regular dealer newsletters with information and product updates.
DIRECT SERVICE FROM NEW ZEALAND
NATIONWIDE DELIVERY 3-6 DAYS
Sheryl and Kevin despatch orders daily
Direct access to our fully-stocked warehouse
1-888-982-SPIN
Once your account is activated we will supply you with a price list in PDF and Excel formats.
To order:
1. The fastest and most convenient way to order from us is online at www.ashfordusa.com
2. Or email at [email protected]
3. Or call us toll free 1-888-982-SPIN (1-888-982-7746)
All orders will have a full track and trace service. You will receive an e-mail to let you know when your order has been despatched.
DIRECT SERVICE FROM NEW ZEALAND
ORDERING FROM US
Need to Speak to Us?
Call us toll-free: 1-888-982-SPIN (1-888-982-7746)
We are open Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 5:00pm New Zealand Time (UTC +1200).
If you call outside of our operating hours please leave a message and we will call you back. See our website www.ashford.co.nz for a wide range of resources including tutorials, videos and FAQs.
Pacific Standard Time (PST) Sunday – Thursday 10:00am to 8:00pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) (March to November)Sunday – Thursday12:00pm to 10:00pm
Mountain Standard Time (MST)Sunday – Thursday11:00am to 9:00pm Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) (March to November) Sunday – Thursday1:00pm to 11:00pm
Central Standard Time (CST)Sunday - Thursday12:00pm to 10:00pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) (March to November)Sunday – Thursday2:00pm to 12:00am
Eastern Standard Time (EST)Sunday – Thursday1:00pm to 11:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (March to November)Sunday – Thursday3:00pm to 1:00am
When to call:
Sales, marketing and support team (L-R ) Libby, Kerrin, Tina, Kate, Kate, Tracy
Advertising
We advertise extensively in magazines in the USA, and in other countries:
• Spin Off – Four pages with dealer listing per issue, 4 issues annually
• Handwoven – One page with dealer listing per issue, 5 issues annually
• Ply – One page, 4 issues annually
• Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot – One page, 4 issues annually
• Wild Fibers – One page, 1 issue annually
• Yarn Market News – Half page, 5 issues annually
• Fiber Art Now – Half page, 4 issues annually
Other magazines we advertise in include:
• Creative Fibre – New Zealand
• Knitworld – New Zealand
• Homespun – Australia
• Yarn Magazine – Australia
• Felt Magazine – Australia
• Australian Knitting – Australia
• Creative Knitting – Australia
• Indie Road – Australia
• Vav – Sweden
• Vezel – Netherlands
• Weven – Netherlands
USA SALES AND MARKETING
Visits
We are looking forward to coming to the USA and attending as many shows and visiting as many of our dealers as possible.
In 2018, we will be at:
• Ply Away Spinning Retreat March, Kansas City, Missouri
• TNNA Summer Trade Show June, Cleveland, Ohio
• Handweavers Guild of America Convergence July, Reno, Nevada
• NY State Sheep and Wool Festival, October, Rhinebeck, New York
James with Deborah Jarchow at TNNA
1-888-982-SPIN
ASHFORD DEALER TRAINING
We are delighted to offer dealer training in the USA and in New Zealand.
USA
We will be offering dealer training at various locations around the USA generally in conjunction with major shows.
New Zealand
We have developed a five-day Dealer Training Course for Ashford dealers from around the world who want to know more about the Ashford range. Held in Ashburton, New Zealand, at the home of Ashford Handicrafts Ltd, the Course is a “hands-on” learning experience.
• Use all our different spinning wheels, weaving looms, carding equipment, fibers, yarns, and accessories. Gain knowledge and insight on each product’s attributes and selling features.
• Discuss with the marketing team ways to promote the range that have been successful in different parts of the world.
• Tour the Ashford factory to see where and how the products are made and meet the staff.
• Meet Richard Ashford to discuss future product development.
• Meet other dealers from around the world.
• Take home helpful resources including a Dealer Manual and samples you have made.
• Stay on local farms on the outskirts of Ashburton in comfortable and warm home stays.
If time permits after your Training Course, stay on and enjoy a New Zealand holiday. Experience our beautiful scenery, culture and warm hospitality.
Dealer Manual
2017
Dealer Manual
2017
Kate teaches at the Dealer Training Course
THE ASHFORD WAY
Our mission is to produce quality, well-designed equipment at affordable prices for the textile artist, while working in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
• We source natural raw materials. Our timber comes from a sustainably-managed Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) approved mill. All our wool is sourced from local farmers who farm ethically and do not mulese the sheep.
• We use water-based lacquers in our finishing department.
• We only use what we need – we recycle, waste is minimised and energy conserved. We have been awarded a regional Clean Green Award.
• We care for our staff and offer good conditions, equal opportunities and professional development. Many of our thirty-five staff have been with us for more than ten years.
• We welcome feedback and dialogue with our customers.
• We foster and promote the textile arts in developing and developed nations. We work with aid agencies and offer The Elizabeth and Richard Ashford Textile Award.
And, of course, spinning, weaving, felting, knitting are all eco-friendly activities that reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources.
Southland Silver Beech forest
Natural air-drying
1-888-982-SPIN
DESIGN, QUALITY AND GUARANTEE
The key to our success has been our devotion to quality, reliability and durability. Only the best of materials are used. There is also a continual process of improvement and innovation in design, while retaining the aesthetic appeal of a graceful spinning wheel or weaving loom.
Quality
A formal quality assurance programme, Q Base (based on ISO 9001) was implemented in 1998 and continues to this day.
LEAN
Since 2012, the company has been following the LEAN production system, involving all staff to help minimise waste, improve quality, communication and productivity, which results in more value for our customers.
Product Guarantee
In the unlikely event there is a fault in the manufacture of any part of an Ashford product, we will replace that part if claimed within 12 months from the date of purchase by your customer.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Walter, 1930s
Joy, Walter's wife, with the first rigid heddle loom 1940s
1-888-982-SPIN
In 1934 Walter Ashford founded Ashford Handicrafts Ltd, a company that has become a world leader in the manufacture of quality spinning wheels, weaving looms and textile equipment.
Walter’s son Richard is the current Managing Director. He always had a keen interest in woodworking tools and machinery. His 5th birthday present was a hammer and a saw! These simple tools were the start of his amazing journey to become the largest manufacturer of spinning wheels in the world.
Richard and Elizabeth were delighted when son James and his husband David joined the business in 2015. Both men had been working in New York – James as a computer scientist and David an accountant - but were keen to return to New Zealand and accept the opportunity to be part of the family business. As Richard learned the trade from his father Walter, now these young men are doing the same.
Richard’s wife Elizabeth publishes the company’s fibercraft magazine The Wheel annually. The magazine is a collection of ideas and projects from textile artists from around the world. Over 35,000 copies are printed each year. She also hosts the Ashford Club with a website of projects and patterns and a quarterly online newsletter.
The future of the family business is secure.
Elizabeth, David, James and Richard 2017
ABOUT US
We operate from a 30,000sq ft factory on a five-acre site in Ashburton. We are located on State Highway 1, the main arterial route, midway between the airports and sea ports of Christchurch and Timaru.
The historic Mill House built in 1916 is adjacent to the factory and is home of the show room, craft shop, class room and café. It is also the center of our Craft Village.
Our staff of thirty-five men and women, many of whom have worked for the company for over ten years, are proud of their reputation of making quality textile equipment that is used throughout the world.
Our timber is a native hard wood of New Zealand, Silver Beech (Nothofagus menziesii), and is sourced from a sustainably-managed mill (Forestry Stewardship
Council-approved) in Southland. It is allowed to air-dry naturally for up to twelve months before kiln drying. The Silver Beech once sawn shows a beautiful color range from the silver sap wood to the red heart timber.
The timber is cut to length and machined on computer controlled saws, routers and lathes. Such heavy investment in plant ensures we can produce and export precision-made, affordable products to the world. This state-of-the-art computer-controlled equipment is not only extremely accurate, it reduces waste and greatly improves operator-safety.
Our products are available lacquered or natural. The electrostatic spray line uses water-based lacquers only. Adding a charge to the lacquer ensures it adheres to the product with a smooth finish and little waste.
Each product is laid out and checked prior to packing. They are either sold in kit form ready to assemble or pre-assembled in our factory.
Today the Ashford family and our loyal team have made over 800,000 wheels and looms.
1-888-982-SPIN
MEET THE TEAM
Sales and MarketingContact: [email protected]
Kate Sherratt, our Sales and Marketing Manager and her team will process your orders and answer any queries.
They will also help you with promotional material, including:
• Website images
• Posters and banners
• Advertisements
• Product support
Kate will write to you with regular newsletters, product news and updates.
AdministrationContact: [email protected]
Kerrin will process your payments and answer any account inquiries.
DespatchKevin and Sheryl are our warehouse team who will pick, pack and despatch your orders.
Factory
Our skilled staff take real pride in their workmanship.
Management Team
Elizabeth and Richard Ashford, James Ashford and David Lester. Kate Sherratt, our Sales and Marketing Manager and Ken Meehan our Production Manager.
ASHFORD FIBER
One Stop Shop
For your convenience we offer a full range of dyed and natural fibers.
Why Ashford fibers?• 100% New Zealand fiber, grown and processed in New Zealand using
environmentally-friendly methods
• Fiber sourced from local farmers from ethically-produced, grass-fed sheep, free from mulesing
• Consistency and availablity
• No minimums - purchase one bump or one bale, we offer a stock service
• Choose bumps or 100gm (4ozs) retail-ready packs
• Full range of colors available in both Corriedale or Merino
• Luxury blends in coordinating colors
• Large variety of white fibers for hand dyeing
• Quality assured as we manage the whole process from farm to you
History
In December 2011, we bought part of the 117-year-old Milton Woollen Mill, in Otago, New Zealand. This included dye vats, industrial carders, combs, gills and a baller, and leased 12,000 square feet of the mill. We employed four very skilled and qualified staff who have over a hundred years of combined experience in wool processing. Our men are passionate about what they do. They understand the needs of our customers and are committed to producing a superior product.
The wool is washed (scoured) using a standard aqueous treatment at 60-70 degrees with an eco-friendly detergent that is biodegradable and breaks down quickly in water. It is then dried and ready for dyeing using Oeko-Tex 100 compliant dyes. The fiber is then carded, gilled and combed to remove any short pieces and to align the fibers. An auto-leveller ensures the sliver is a standard thickness or kilotex (grams per metre) before it is converted into bumps.
Ashford sliver is then ready to spin, weave or felt without waste or further preparation.
1-888-982-SPIN
ASHFORD YARNS
Ashford Wool Yarn
Ashford is proud of its very own Tekapo and Mackenzie yarn both 100% pure New Zealand, with the wool grown on sheep farms around New Zealand and spun in a small boutique mill in Hawkes Bay.
Why Ashford yarns?• Ideal for weaving on all Ashford looms
• Perfect for hand knitting and crocheting
• No need to indent orders
• Minimum order quantity of one pack - 5 x 100gm balls
• Wide color range
• Excellent for hand dyeing
Tekapo Yarn
Tekapo is a semi worsted yarn and is a blend of Corriedale and Perendale especially designed for softness and strength. It is lofty with a nice bulk.The yarn is named after the beautiful Lake Tekapo, just 90 minutes south-west of Ashburton. In 1857 one of the first sheep stations in the New Zealand was established on its shore.
Tekapo yarn is available as:
• 8 Ply Double knit/Sport Weight - 200m/218yds, 100gm net per ball at standard condition, 4.5 - 5.0mm (7 - 8US) needles. Sett 7.5dpi
• 12 Ply Triple knit/Aran/Fisherman - 134m/146yds, 100gm net per ball at standard condition, 5 - 5.5mm (8 - 9US) needles. Sett 5dpi
• 3 Ply Fingering - 454m/496yds, 100gm net per ball at standard condition, 2.75 - 3.25mm (2 - 3US) needles. Sett 12.5dpi
Mackenzie Yarn
Mackenzie yarn is 100% Pure New Zealand Merino Wool. It is a soft machine-washable yarn perfect for knitting and weaving. The yarn is named after the Mackenzie Basin, near Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, where the Merino sheep thrive in the dry conditions and high altitude.
• 4 Ply/Fingering/Sport - Super wash treated, 357m/390yds, 100gm net per ball at standard condition, 2.75 - 3.25mm (2 - 3US) needles. Sett 10dpi
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION
Ashford Handicrafts Limited415 West Street, P O Box 474,Ashburton, New Zealand Toll-free 1-888-982-SPIN (1-888-982-7746) [email protected] www.ashford.co.nz V001JAN18
Dealer Portal www.ashfordusa.com Phone toll-free 1-888-982-SPIN (1-888-982-7746)
Website www.ashford.co.nz Email [email protected]
www.facebook.com/Ashford.Wheels.Looms
@ashford_wheels_looms
www.youtube.com/user/AshfordHandicrafts
www.twitter.com/ashfordnz