Arequipa, Peru · ManufacturersMichell is an alpaca fibre processor founded in Arequipa in 1931. It buys raw fibre from herders in the southern Andes, sorts and washes it, and produces tops and yarns. Its yarns are used by knitwear makers and weavers. The company also makes blankets and rugs. Most of its output is exported to Europe, Asia and North America.
Services and products
Alpaca fibre, alpaca tops, hand and machine knitting yarns, woven fabrics, alpaca blankets and rugs
Alpaca tops
Combed alpaca and blended tops for spinners.
Industrial yarns
Alpaca and blended yarns for machine knitting and weaving.
Hand knitting yarns
Retail yarn ranges in many colours and weights.
Home textiles
Alpaca blankets, throws and rugs.
About the company
Frank W. Michell founded the company in 1931 to sort raw alpaca fibre and export it to Bradford and Boston. In the 1940s it set up its first combing and spinning plant in Peru.
Today the company covers the steps from fibre buying to tops, yarns and finished textiles. It works with herder communities in Puno, Cusco and Arequipa. A breeding centre focuses on fibre quality.
Customers in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan buy tops and yarns for knitwear and fabrics. Hand knitting yarns are sold under the Michell brand to shops and distributors.
