It has been an incredibly busy month at Thomas Chadwick and Sons, with significant progress being made on the installation of our new wool scouring line.

Following the removal of the old wool scour, the team has been working hard to prepare the mill for the new equipment. This has involved far more than simply taking out the existing machinery. More than 30 years’ worth of accumulated wool grease, dirt and debris has been carefully removed from hidden corners, beneath machinery and throughout areas of the building that have not been accessible for decades.

With the old equipment removed and the area thoroughly cleared, new groundworks have also been completed to prepare the mill for the new scouring machinery. It has been a major undertaking, but the transformation is now well underway.

The New Custom-Made Drum Dryer Arrives

The first major piece of new equipment to be brought into the mill was our custom-made drum dryer.

The new dryer features extra-large cylinders, giving us improved control over the wool drying process. Controlling the drying stage carefully is extremely important, as the aim is not simply to remove moisture as quickly as possible, but to do so in a controlled and efficient way that is kinder to the wool fibres.

The new system uses airflow more efficiently to manage the movement and temperature of the drying air. This should allow us to achieve a more consistent drying process while maintaining the quality of the wool as it moves through the line.

Additional insulated panelling has also been incorporated into the dryer. By retaining more of the heat generated during operation, we can reduce unnecessary heat loss and make better use of the energy required for drying.

Rinsing and Washing Bowls Installed

Following the arrival of the drum dryer, the rinsing bowls were installed, followed by the main washing bowls.

One of the important improvements to the new scour is the addition of an extra bowl. This means the wool can spend longer in the washing and rinsing process, giving the system more opportunity to remove grease, dirt and other impurities and helping us produce an even cleaner finished product.

The bowls themselves have been designed with a funnel-shaped base. As dirt and contaminants are released from the wool, heavier material can fall towards the bottom of the bowl, where it can be extracted from the system.

Removing this material from the main washing area helps cleaner water continue to work effectively on the wool rather than allowing removed dirt to remain circulating around the fibres.

Moving the Wool Gently Through the Scour

Throughout the washing process, the wool is moved forward through the bowls with the help of a series of rakes.

These rakes have two important jobs. Firstly, they gently encourage the wool along its journey through each stage of the scouring line. Secondly, their movement provides the controlled agitation required to help release dirt and grease from the fibres.

Finding the right balance is important. The wool needs enough movement for the washing process to be effective, while avoiding unnecessary handling that could adversely affect the fibres.

New Air-Powered Squeeze Rollers

At the end of each washing and rinsing bowl, the wool passes through a set of squeeze rollers.

These rollers remove excess water before the wool progresses to the next stage of the process. On the new scouring line, the squeeze rollers are now air powered, providing much greater control over the pressure applied to the wool.

This also means adjustments can be made quickly and accurately, helping us respond to different wool types and processing requirements while maintaining greater consistency throughout the scouring process.

What Happens Next?

With the drum dryer, rinsing bowls and washing bowls now in position, attention will move to the next major stages of the installation.

The next step will be the installation and connection of the electrical wiring and control systems, followed by work on the front end of the line where greasy wool will be opened and fed into the scouring process.

Once these systems are in place, the individual sections of the new scour can begin to come together as a complete processing line.

On Schedule for an Early October Reopening

So far, everything is progressing to schedule and we remain on track for the Thomas Chadwick and Sons wool scour to be fully operational again in early October 2026.

Installing an entirely new scouring line is a substantial project, but each stage brings us closer to a more controllable, efficient and effective wool processing operation.

Importantly, we have planned ahead during the installation period and currently have plenty of stock available to keep our customers supplied while the work is taking place.

If you have any immediate wool requirements, please get in touch with the team and we will be happy to help.

Stay tuned for further updates as the installation progresses and we move closer to restarting production in October.