Fox & Lillie Rural acquires Rhodes Wool in Adelaide South Australia
Australian family-owned agribusiness Fox & Lillie Rural has announced the acquisition of Rhodes Wool in Adelaide South Australia, marking a significant expansion of the company’s presence in one of Australia’s premier wool-growing regions.
The acquisition builds on a longstanding relationship between the two businesses dating back to the mid 1960’s when Fox & Lillie first purchased wool from Rhodes Wool. More recently, Rhodes Wool has provided wool handling services for Fox & Lillie Rural in South Australia, while also entrusting Fox & Lillie Rural to present Rhodes Wool samples on its Melbourne show floor and market their wool through Melbourne auctions, making the acquisition a natural progression for both businesses.
Established over 90 years ago, Rhodes Wool has built up a successful business and respected reputation in the South Australian wool industry. Fox & Lillie Rural is proud to continue servicing Rhodes Wool’s existing customer base, while providing access to Fox & Lillie Rurals broader capabilities as one of Australia’s largest integrated wool brokers, buyers, exporters, and early-stage wool processors.
Fox & Lillie Rural Managing Director Jonathan Lillie said South Australia represented an important strategic opportunity for the business.
“South Australia is one of the original wool growing areas in Australia and has always been recognised for producing high-quality Merino wool,” Mr Lillie said. “Geographically, this acquisition is an excellent fit for Fox & Lillie Rural.”
Founded in 1948, the Fox & Lillie group is an Australian, family-owned agriservices business with operations spanning wool brokerage, wool trading, exporting, processing, livestock and real estate services. The company has a strong focus on delivering innovative marketing options and outstanding customer service, supporting regional development and investing in local people.
Current Rhodes Wool owners, Michael and John Sugars will remain involved in the Business to support clients and staff in the transition to Fox & Lillie Rural. Longstanding team members Brett Gum and Rhys Voigt will also join the Fox & Lillie Rural team, complementing the experience of existing Fox & Lillie Rural Wool Representative in South Australia, Daryl Deuter.
Under Fox & Lillie Rural ownership, the Adelaide based wool store will broaden its service, offering woolgrowers beyond store door buying to include fixed-price wool brokerage, quick turnaround from the shed to auction, livestock and real estate services.
Michael and John Sugars said that the acquisition would ensure continuity for existing clients. “It will be business as usual for our clients under the Fox & Lillie Rural banner, with the added benefits of more marketing opportunities for their wool, as well as access to livestock and real estate services,” they said. Fox & Lillie Rural maintains a strong presence at the weekly wool auctions plus offering a wide range of alternative selling options, including Price-On-Result tender sales, privately negotiated sales, Wool trade 24/7 internet selling and direct mill contracts.
Fox & Lillie Rural offers valuable market access for woolgrower clients through its wool export division, connecting growers to international wool users, which provides important selling advantages and comprehensive market information. Fox & Lillie has a strong history in wool processing and is a shareholder in a specialised wooltop combing factory in China, supplying premium wool products globally.
Fox & Lillie Rural General Manager Daniel Charters said the acquisition reinforced the company’s long-term commitment to South Australia. “We are looking forward to working alongside the Team in South Australia to deliver cost-effective wool handling and marketing solutions that create value to our valued clients across the region,” he said. “We are delighted this opportunity will complement our existing footprint on the Eastern seaboard”.
Source: Fox & Lillie