Up to ten new jobs are being created at a Bradford wool combing plant which is introducing an extra shift to cope with rising demand.

The jobs are being created at Haworth Combing Company at Cashmere Works in Birksland Street.

Martin Curtis, joint managing director of its parent company Curtis Wool Direct, which bought the firm in 2008, said the outlook for wool was brighter than for many years.

Mr Curtis said CWD, which also includes the Haworth Scouring Company, was well placed to meet present and future requirements of wool users and consumers around the world.

He said: “Despite the fact that the wool industry is centuries old, there is a strong feeling that the future is more exciting now than it has been for a very long time.”

Both Haworth Scouring and Haworth Combing, which are the largest wool processing operations of their kind in the world, have been awarded ISO accreditation following a multi-million pound investment in processes, quality control and reducing the environmental impact of the operations.

The companies, which are world leaders in the scouring and combing of British, Norwegian and global wool, underwent a full review of their management systems and operating procedures following the appointment of David Gisbourne as managing director in 2008 to ensure they rode out the recession.

Mr Gisbourne said: “Unfortunately, at that time we had to make some cuts due to the recession, but things are looking much better now. We’re in it for the long run and will continue to invest in the business as appropriate.

“We are creating an extra combing shift which we hope we shall be able to sustain.”

Haworth Scouring introduced quality and environmental management systems under the internationally-recognised ISO standards to increase efficiency and significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Mr Gisbourne said: “It has been a great team effort to achieve certification under these stringent standards. We all knew that HSC and HCC were world leaders in effluent management and control and now we are delighted to have gained these accreditations.

“The group has invested heavily in the treatment plant and what we have now is the best of its type in the industry. We will not shrink from our responsibilities to the environment and to our customers who know that wool that has been processed here is the most planet-friendly it can be.

“No-one can beat us and many fall short of the new standards we are setting for the industry.”

Simon Curtis, CWD joint managing director, added: “We all knew that the investment would pay dividends. We are a progressive company and the hard work the team have put in will benefit all our customers and their customers down the line.”