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New Zealand Home & Building, October-November 1985

Design: Magic Carpets

page 133

Design: Magic Carpets

The ebullient Maxwell Rodgers — off to a flying start with his pure wool floor rugs.

The ebullient Maxwell Rodgers — off to a flying start with his pure wool floor rugs.

Readers who watched the television programme 'Flying Start' will be familiar with the gorgeous woollen floor rugs, manufactured and marketed under the name of Maxwell Rodgers, NZ Wool Furnishings Ltd. Roger Green, director of Maxwell Rodgers, is the ebullient character who won the flying start offered by the sponsors of the programme.

For many years Roger had worked overseas marketing other people's products and it was there that he saw the opportunity to develop and market a product of his own. This, combined with an enthusiastic approach to the marketing potential of a quality New Zealand product has resulted in his forming his own small company, Maxwell Rodgers, NZ Wool Furnishings Ltd.

This man is an enthusiastic Kiwi and he wanted a product which would reflect the strengths of New Zealand and do well overseas. All-wool-rugs not only fit these criteria splendidly but echo his philosophy of doing what one knows best; as he says: "We have spent 140 years building up our flocks of sheep, we make the best woollen carpets in the world, there's our credibility, let's use it!"

So with a firm idea of the quality and look he required Roger Green set about finding an appropriate designer and manufacturer. He wanted to use New Zealand designers as he felt that they would design appropriately were easily accessible and had the motivation to do well as they still had something to prove on the international market. Next a reliable manufacturer was found, for marketing skills alone will not sell badly made goods.

This commitment to quality is his way to success. He wanted a small market with room for growth and where there was a gap. He saw that the rug market specifically had potential for growth in North America. There was room there, he felt, for a high quality product.

The rugs he offers feel luxurious and are beautiful to look at.
Decorator rugs — designed, coloured, manufactured and marketed by New Zealanders.

Decorator rugs — designed, coloured, manufactured and marketed by New Zealanders.

The colours in his present range are subtle using several tones of one or two complementary shades. They have a decorator feel about them and have been designed with the colour palette popular in North America in mind.

This year Maxwell Rogers, NZ Wool Furnishings will export 1800 floor rugs to the United States, Canada and Australia, and will also sell on the local market. He has used the talents of experts in their own fields to supplement his own skills and as a result has a quality product which is designed, coloured, manufactured and marketed by New Zealanders.

The enthusiasm Roger Green has for his product is infectious, his dedication to the use of New Zealand wool and expertise laudable. He is best summed up in his own words: "There are 70 million sheep in New Zealand and 3 million people… I'm one of the people and we make the best wool carpets in the world."

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