About Us
Who is MPK?
Mark Kerin (pictured, second from right) is a recently retired Poll Merino Stud Principal, sheep breeder and farmer from Central Western, New South Wales. The surname Kerin is well known and well respected in agricultural circles for breeding quality livestock and producing quality wool. Mark's career was dedicated to growing and genetically improving this wonderful product and as such; accurately assessing wool straight off the shears in the woolshed with the use of the wool table was integral to his success.
Mark, now retired to the sunny Central Coast of New South Wales, is turning his hand to a project he has long wanted to dive into.
Developing and crafting quality custom wool tables for homes and offices with a love of farmyard aesthetic has become Mark's newest endeavour when the fish aren't quite biting in Brisbane Water.
Mark is drawn to the Australian wool classing table due to the rich history and the intrinsic role it plays in a working woolshed. The time Mark has dedicated to refining his craftsmanship is conveyed in the Wool Tables is creating with life to serve as a statement, heirloom piece in your family home.
The Australian Wool Classing Table
The Australian Wool Classing Table was developed out of the need for standardisation in the wool industry,; which has been a cornerstone of the Australian economy for centuries. Its development and use have helped wool classers ensure consistent quality assessments of wool and have contributed to the success of the Australian wool industry on a global scale.
The Wool Classing Table,is a crucial tool in the wool industry used for allowing more accurate assessing and categorising or grading the quality of wool fleeces as they come off the shears. Its history is intertwined with the development of the Australian wool industry,; which has a rich and significant history of its own.
The wool table was developed in the mid-20th centurythrough a collaboration between the wool industry, the Australian Government and research institutions. Before its development; wool classers relied on their experience and personal judgement to assess wool quality – leading to inconsistencies in grading.
The wool table top consists of slats spaced approximately 12cm apart. Once the fleece has been removed from the sheep, it is thrown onto the table and the spaces between the slats allows for short pieces of wool, locks and other debris to fall through the table and remain separate from the main fleece. The main fleece is then skirted to remove stains, burrs, seeds, twigs and other contaminants before the registered wool classer assesses and grades the fleece. The fleece is then thrown into wool bins with other similar grade fleeces before they are pressed into bales for the main line. The wool that has fallen through the slats is also gathered and kept separate from the main line for pressing into lower grades of wool bales.
Keeping the main line of fleeces as free as possible from contaminants is crucial to the value of the wool and for its potential end-use.
The wool classing profession has evolved over the years to incorporate technology, where automated wool testing machines and computerised systems are now used in conjunction with manual assessments to provide accurate and detailed information about wool characteristics. While the wool table is still used; wool classing and skirting practices have changed over time, and so the table is not bearing the same significance in the industry; as such- many have been repurposed for other aspects of farm life or as high quality furniture for the family home and office.
Featured: The MPK Australian Blackbutt Wool Classing Table
Mark's Australian Blackbutt reproduction of the iconic Australian Wool Classing Table is a custom-made 6-8 seater dining table to make a stylish statement in any home.
Australian Blackbutt timber, scientifically known as Eucalyptus pilularis, is a prized hardwood known for its durability and attractive grain patterns. This sustainable timber species is cherished for its natural beauty and resilience in various applications.
With a modern, contemporary aesthetic; this solid, quality table can be utilised in a number of staging areas of your home.