Woolmark is building stronger trade relationships between India and Japan for the wool trade through Wool Connect, which was held in Tokyo. The Woolmark Company has also strengthened its global supply chain partnerships with the launch of Wool Connect, which is a new B2B matchmaking program intended to connect Woolmark-approved Indian wool manufacturers with international buyers. The program was established to speed up sourcing talks, build meaningful trade engagements, and advance the wool industry on the value of premium Australian Merino.
The inaugural programme for Wool Connect took place in Tokyo in association with the Wool and Woollen Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) and the India Trend Fair. This suggests that Wool Connect has helped enhance the bilateral trade relations between India and Japan, as the programme was also attended by Nagma M. Mallick, Ambassador of India to Japan.
Wool Connect was designed as a one-to-one format for a speed meeting style, which brought together 10 Woolmark certified Indian manufacturing partners spanning the supply chain from yarn to finished product, and 10 of the leading Japanese trading companies and brands together in one room for nearly 100 business meetings to be conducted in one day.
Some of the Indian participant companies included Jayashree Textiles, Raymond, Linear Design, KCS, Shakti Knitting, and Bansal Spinning Mills, among others. In Japan, some of the participant companies were MN Inter, Takisada Nagoya, Pheeta, Moririn, Itochu, and Toyoshima. The initiative demonstrated its effectiveness with regards to creating effective high-quality business leads and facilitating a transparent sourcing conversation that helped create a long-term engagement within the market of one of the world’s most discerning and premium wool-consuming countries.
“Wool Connect reflects Woolmark’s position as a catalyst in the global wool ecosystem,” said Ajay Pradhan, Country Manager, The Woolmark Company. “We are using this opportunity to facilitate dialogue between quality merino wool textile makers in India and Japanese buyers in a very intimate setting – to help drive business conversations and highlight the value of Australian merino wool in global value chains.”
R.C. Khanna, Chairman, WWEPC, said the initiative was thoughtfully curated to connect Indian woollen manufacturers with the sophisticated Japanese market and promote exports from India. Launched during the India Fashion & Lifestyle Show (28–30 January 2026) in Tokyo, the platform reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and premium positioning of Indian woollen products globally.
Industry participants also shared positive feedback. Daljit Bal, Sales Head – Jayashree Textiles, added, “The platform enabled focused business discussions with Japanese buyers in one location.” Devdatt M. Chobey, Deputy GM – International Business, Raymond Lifestyle, said, “We strongly feel that there is high potential in premium and made-to-measure segments of Japan for Indian wool products.” Chintan Bansal, Owner, Bansal Spinning Mills, pointed out structured one-on-one meetings set up and stressed Woolmark’s role in showcasing the real value of wool:
Through Wool Connect, The Woolmark Company further cements its status as a global authority on wool through its international network, which bridges supply and demand. This initiative addresses the increased growth of certified merino wool within key highvalue markets, driving long-term, trust-based trade relationships across geographies.
