Swanndri

Swanndri is a trade name for a range of popular New Zealand outdoor clothing. However it Swanndri gear is no longer made in New Zealand. It's now made in China, just like Icebreaker.

The item was widely worn by farmers, but in recent years its popularity has spread and it has become something of a fashion item. The Swanndri company also now produces a range of more urban-focussed garments.

The classic "swanny" or bush shirt is a heavy woollen garment with a lace up section at the neck [http://www.swanndri.co.nz/default.aspx?T=2&P=4] . Although a wide range of colours and patterns are available, the traditional swanny pattern is a dark plaid which could be described as a 'reverse gingham', with thick criss-crossing stripes of either blue or red over a black base.

History

The Swanndri, or “swanny” as it has been dubbed, was designed by William Broome (1873-1942). Since he registered Swanndri as a trademark on December 23, 1913, it has become an iconic New Zealand garment.

Broom, born in Staffordshire, England, immigrated to New Zealand at age 21. A tailor by trade, he established a clothier and outfitters business, "The Palatine" that was located on Devon Street, New Plymouth. Part of his business involved sewing woolen fabric from mills in Wanganui, Kaiapoi and Wellington, into the Swanndri garments. The characteristics of the “swanny” design include its heavy dark fabric, often in a plaid pattern and ties up around the neck. In more recent designs, a zipper has replaced the ties. The original design was short sleeved, long in the back, and would be worn on top of work clothes for warmth and shower proofing. During production, these garments were dipped into a mixture of dissolved chemicals and then dried. It is not known if Broome had been taught the method for shower proofing the fabric he used or whether he developed the formula himself. Unfortunately, the mixture caused the garments to shrink, making it difficult to determine size. Consequently they were sold as one size fits all [ [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/businessAndIndustry/swanndri.htm Puke Ariki - Taranaki Stories - One Size Fits All - The Swanndri Success Story ] ] .

In 1938, Broome transferred the business to his wife, Ivy. Broome himself died four years later at aged 69 years. In 1952, Ivy sold the business and trademark to John McKendrick, who operated a clothing factory at Waitara. McKendrick began purchasing fabric that was closely woven and pre-shrunk which enabled him to make different pattern sizes and garments. He sourced his cloth from South Island-based Alliance textiles, and the business expanded with factories in Waitara and Opunake. Alliance purchased Swanndri in 1991 when McKendrick retired and continued for a few years until production centered in Timaru and the Taranaki operation closed. In 1994, Swanndri New Zealand Ltd purchase the brand from Alliance Textiles [ [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/businessAndIndustry/swanndri.htm Puke Ariki - Taranaki Stories - One Size Fits All - The Swanndri Success Story ] ] .

According to the Swanndri’s corporate history, Broome’s design began after he was frustrated by the persistently rainy New Zealand weather. The name Swanndri was named by Broome because the rain would literally run off the back of the garment as it does on a swan [ [http://www.swanndri.co.nz/default.aspx?i=5002 Swanndri NZ Website and Online Store ] ] . Although new colors and features have been incorporated into the Swanndri, Broom’s original design influence can still be seen in New Zealand and among other producers around the world.

Recent History

Swanndri has been outsourcing its production to China since 2005. However this is not made clear according to customers who have purchased Swanndri products. All the packaging and postage reinforces the NZ connection, and it was only when you look at the washing instructions that the phrase "Final construction in China to Swanndri NZ standards" comes into sight. Whilst this is no doubt legal, is it ethical for the company to be trading on its past emotional NZ links, thereby misleading many who think they are supporting New Zealand in the global ecomony?

Other New Zealand companies are doing the same. The only way now to be sure you are buying REAL New Zealand-made gear (and quality) is to ask if the manufacturer qualifies for the NZ government's "Kiwi-made status". This says that to be genuinely "Kiwi-made" "New Zealand must be the place of origin of the goods or services in accordance with sections 9and 13(j) of the [http://www.comcom.govt.nz//Publications/ContentFiles/Documents/Fair%20Trading%20Guide%2020080.pdf] Fair Trading Act 1986. “A place of origin can be defined as the country or region where the product was created in its final form from its raw materials or constituent parts. In other words, it is the country or region where the product's 'essential quality' was created. It is not necessarily the place where the most money was spent on a product - and it is not the place where only final assembly or packaging was done”

References

External links

* [http://www.swanndri.co.nz/ Swanndri company home page]
* [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/businessAndIndustry/swanndri.htm Interview with grandson of the founder]
* [http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapa/English/Galleries/SampleShow/SheepsBack/Swanndri.htm Image of the classic] , from Te Papa museum
* [http://www.comcom.govt.nz//Publications/ContentFiles/Documents/Fair%20Trading%20Guide%2020080.pdf] NZ Govt. Fair Trading Act 1986