The family favours “care-for-life knitwear based on zero-waste principles of renew, reuse, and repurpose”. The majority of the Standard Issue garments are made seamlessly using Japanese whole garment technology, ensuring that there is minimal textile waste. Once a garment can no longer be repaired, or reused by someone else, it is repurposed as natural fibres suitable for recycling. The company also donates thousands of woollen jumpers to young Kiwis through its ‘Jumper for Jumper’ initiative. “Sustainability is in everything we do. It has to be.” Today, the growth of McDonald Textiles has rewarded that dedication to diversification, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. “The business has grown incredibly fast from initial acquisitions, and we are now seeing organic growth,” Ben says. Amid that aspirational approach to the family business, Ben also reflects on the core strengths that drive success. “Keep it simple. Considering too wide a range of products can water down anything you do. Knitwear is what McDonald is an ‘expert’ in. Gather the right team around you and ensure that everyone knows their key responsibilities and what they are in charge of in order to deliver the best results.
Left: Ben Ensor visits Christ's College to speak at the Business Banter breakfast. Below: The 140ha vineyard was established by the family in 1995, growing sauvignon blanc, riesling, and pinot noir varieties.
“Obviously, we value diversification at different levels – from the sheep to the vineyard to the knitwear. However, within knitwear, there is another whole world of diversification. With just the possum merino garments of McDonald, there was the slight concern that we were a bit ‘one- trick pony’ in that area, and that was where Standard Issue fitted in perfectly with high-end knitwear.”
With the family farm the majority shareholder in McDonald Textiles, and more than 50 people involved in the overall business, the tight-knit Ensor family prospers through diversification and sustainability while still living off the land. “Sustainability is in everything we do. It has to be. It informs part of our day-to-day life – we live and breathe it.”
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