The founders of the Reda textile company started as Italian farmers and have returned to those rural roots with the purchase of three South Island high country sheep farms.
The northern Italy woollen mill, established in 1865, was now owned by five brothers and two cousins - descendants of the original founders.
Fourth generation cousins, Francesco and Ercole Botto, are its current joint chief executives.
Today, Reda operates one mill and employs 380 people, with overseas offices in Shanghai and Tokyo.
Last year, Reda produced six million metres of fabric from its high tech Biella mill, of which 75% was exported to some of the world's most famous and most demanding fashion houses, including Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani.
Its main markets were in Germany, Italy and China.
Reda last year had turnover of $NZ140 million and in the past 15 years the company has bought $73 million worth of merino wool, between 17 and 18 micron, from New Zealand and Australian farmers.