Icebreakers Canadian Connection

Nova Scotias Chronicle Herald reveals a NZ business success storys Canadian connection. Jeremy Moons outdoor clothing company Icebreaker enjoys CA$100 million in annual retail sales, largely thanks to its revolutionary merino wool thermal underwear. Icebreaker and a group of NZ farmers recently signed the largest merino wool contract in the world: $30 million for the period 2006-8. Moon reportedly found the inspiration for his business in 1993, at the remote Pohuenui Station in Pelorus Sound. Owned by Brian Brakenridge and his Canadian sheep shearing champion wife Fiona Nettleton, Pohenui Station ran a flock of 3000 merino sheep. Chronicle Herald: In a moment of visionary pride, Brakenridge showed entrepreneur Jeremy Moon his merino wool underwear … Moon was so impressed that he mortgaged his house, bought half of Brakenridges business, began manufacturing merino wool long johns and persuaded a NZ explorer to wear the same pair for the entire 43-day Jules Verne Challenge.