Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Onkaparinga Woollen Company
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1869 -
History
Onkaparinga Woollen Company originated in Hahndorf, SA in 1869 by two German brothers, Heinrich and Edward Kramm before moving to Lobethal, SA. The first mill, Lobethal Tweed Factory, opened in 1872, but experienced a troubled history with several closures and take-overs until 1883 when it reopened as the South Australian Woollen Factory. This venture proved successful for many years, and eventually the company renamed to Onkaparinga Woollen Mill Company in 1928. The Onkaparinga brand of wool blankets became iconic in Australian households, and gained worldwide recognition during the country's post-WWII economic and wool export boom. The company was owned under the Bardak Pty. Ltd. company, and traded as Onkaparinga Textiles Limited prior to being taken over by Macquarie Worsteds Limited in 1983. The company is also associated with the names Macquarie Woollen Textiles Pty. Ltd., and Macquarie Woollen Company Pty. Ltd. The Onkaparinga Woollen Mill closed in 1993 as production became outsourced. As of 2024, the Onkaparinga brand continues under the ownership of William A. McNeil & Co. Pty. Ltd.
Places
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
Wool cloth, textile production and weaving, manchester and blanket manufacturing. A supplier of wool for Australian Defence Forces uniforms during the Boer War, WWI and WWII.