Celebrate Excellence and Achievement

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5 Headline Partners Celebrate Excellence and Achievement 14 September 2016 InterContinental Hong Kong Honoured Partners

6 CONTENTS WELCOME MESSAGES JUDGES, RECIPIENT AND HONOUREE LIST The Organiser 6 7 Chow Tai Fook Gemfields Rio Tinto Diarough 21 The Israel Diamond Institute 23 Shanghai Diamond Exchange 25 Guangdong Gems & Jade Exchange 27 Guangdong Land Holdings 29 Judging Panel Lifetime Achievement Award List of Honourees JNA AWARDS 2016

7 HONOUREES Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd China Stone Co Ltd DeGem Masterpiece Sdn Bhd Gübelin Gem Lab Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd Hattons Diamonds Hiersun Industrial Co Ltd Kapu Gems KELA KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd PANDORA Production Co Ltd Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company Pranda Group Pure Gold Jewellers Karim Merchant RMC Gems India Ltd Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding 91 Group Co Ltd Chau Tsankwan Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd 106 Wang Zhuo Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd SK Jewellery Pte Ltd Soo Kee Group ACKNOWLEDGEMENT JNA AWARDS

8 THE ORGANISER MESSAGE This year marks the fifth anniversary of the JNA Awards, and as the organiser of the event, we are very proud of the impact and recognition the Awards has achieved thus far in terms of creating awareness and promoting excellence in innovation, leadership and sustainable business models in the jewellery and gemstone industry. WOLFRAM DIENER Senior Vice President UBM Asia Ltd Owned by UBM plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global presence in 24 major cities with 32 offices and 1,300 staff. With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 19 market sectors with 230 events, 28 trade publications, and 18 online products for over 2 million quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. We provide a onestop diversified global service for high-value business matching, quality market news and online trading networks. As part of our company mission, UBM Asia is always seeking ways to better serve the trade. For our jewellery portfolio, the JNA Awards creates a strong synergy with our various fairs and trade publications to offer the jewellery and gemstone industry a comprehensive platform to conduct business in a more effective manner. In addition, the JNA Awards offers a unique opportunity for thought leaders, pioneers and successful entrepreneurs to gather under one roof and discuss breakthroughs to advance the trade and exchange views on how the industry can be transformed in a positive way. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Headline and Honoured Partners, as well as the judging panel for their immense commitment and support to bringing this event to where it is today. Let s raise our glasses and toast the Recipients and Honourees of the 2016 JNA Awards! 6 JNA AWARDS 2016

9 MESSAGE The Honouree companies this year have all demonstrated resilience, agility and vision during a year full of challenges in the jewellery and gemstone industry. We have seen impressive efforts among them to innovate and invest in technology and research and development to adapt to changing market needs. They serve as shining examples of true leadership in turbulent times. They challenge the status quo, think and act proactively, and inspire their teams to strive to reach their visions with passion. LETITIA CHOW Chair of the Judging Panel Founder of JNA (Jewellery News Asia) Director of Business Development Jewellery Group, UBM Asia Ltd JNA (Jewellery News Asia), first published in 1983, is the flagship publication of UBM Asia s (www. ubmasia.com) Jewellery Group. This industry pioneer is recognised as Asia s most authoritative information resource for the gemstone and jewellery sector, providing reliable and accurate coverage through its print and online platforms. Established in 1994, CJNA (Jewellery News Asia Chinese Edition) is a monthly business magazine designed to serve the jewellery industry s key decision-makers and top buyers in Great China. In 2006, SILVERSTYLES, the ultimate business resource on the latest silver jewellery trends, was introduced. By recognising these individuals and companies that have achieved extraordinary results even in the most difficult of times, the JNA Awards is spreading the message that every stakeholder has the potential to be a formidable and positive force a game-changer in the jewellery and gemstone industry. Tonight, let s applaud the accomplishments and hard work of our 2016 Honourees, and thank all entrants for sharing their success stories with us. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award this year is also a leader and innovator in the field of technology for jewellery manufacturing, breaking new ground in jewellery casting systems and constantly uncovering opportunities to improve his products and services to meet the growing needs of his global customers. We have also been very privileged to be able to work closely with our Partners and an eminent judging panel of industry experts in making the JNA Awards an even more meaningful initiative for the trade. On behalf of the JNA Awards team, please accept our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation for your support. JNA AWARDS

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12 HEADLINE PARTNER 1 2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Stock Code: 1929) is a world-class leading jeweller listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011, and has become the largest jeweller listed in Hong Kong by market capitalisation. The iconic brand Chow Tai Fook of the Group has been widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for product design, quality and value. The acquisition of Hearts On Fire, an internationally acclaimed U.S. premium diamond brand, in August 2014 has further underpinned the Group s stature as a diamond expert in the industry. The Group boasts an extensive retail network comprising over 2,300 Chow Tai Fook and Hearts On Fire stores spanning more than 500 cities in Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States, as well as a strong and fast growing e-tail network through operating its Chow Tai Fook e-shops and various e-tail accounts on other online shopping platforms. The Group s sophisticated vertically integrated business model provides it with an effective and tight control over the entire operation chain from raw material procurement, design, production, to marketing and sales through its extensive POS and e-tail channels. 10 JNA AWARDS 2016

13 MESSAGE Chow Tai Fook is proud of being a Headline Partner of the JNA Awards for the fi fth year in a row. The JNA Awards recognises distinguished performance and encourages innovation and advancement, as well as facilitates exchange and connection among the elites in the jewellery industry. As one of the pioneers in the jewellery industry, Chow Tai Fook is committed to dedicating ourselves to elevate our brand and competitiveness through innovation for the sake of achieving sustainable development. We are excited to see that an increasing number of companies and practitioners have been recognising innovation as an important factor not only for business growth but also for the betterment of our industry and society. We are confi dent that such concerted effort towards excellence would further boost the prosperous development of the jewellery industry. KENT WONG Managing Director Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd I would like to pay tribute to our partners in the JNA Awards and congratulate all awardees and honourees on their outstanding performances and achievements. 1. Chow Tai Fook s ad campaign for its Bridal Collection 2. Diamond engagement ring from the Bridal Collection 3. Chow Tai Fook s masterpiece, A Heritage in Bloom, features a 104-carat DIF brilliant round diamond centre stone with the highest possible cut grade of Triple Excellent 3 JNA AWARDS

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16 HEADLINE PARTNER 1 2 Gemfields is a world leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, specialising in emeralds and amethysts from Zambia and rubies from Mozambique. Gemfields oversees the mining and marketing of coloured gemstones from some of the world s finest gemstone deposits and does so responsibly and transparently. Gemfields has a proven track record of delivering a consistent supply of professionally graded, uncut coloured gemstones to world markets through a programme of private auctions. The company also opened a division specialising in the sale of cut and polished gemstones in direct response to demand for consistent and trusted sources of supply. This has been met with great enthusiasm on both sides of the supply chain. Gemfields acquired Fabergé in January 2013, aligning the world s largest coloured gemstone producer with one of the world s most recognisable and iconic heritage brands in order to create a global coloured gemstone champion. 14 JNA AWARDS 2016

17 MESSAGE As a leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, we at Gemfields consistently aim to drive innovation, on every level, within the industry. Sustainability and responsibility is at the core of our business and we constantly strive to improve industry standards through leading from the front. We see a great synergy between Gemfields and the JNA Awards in recognising the importance of promoting business excellence in a sustainable and responsible manner. This approach to innovation also applies to downstream. We have long since pioneered the cause of modernism in jewellery, and continuously work with both young and established designers to create incredible jewellery featuring coloured gemstones. The JNA Awards is a great platform encouraging the industry to innovate in colour and one that we are very proud to support. IAN HAREBOTTLE CEO Gemfields 1. Montepuez Ruby Mine, Mozambique 2. Cut and polished Gemfields Mozambican ruby 3. An exceptional carat Mozambican ruby from Montepuez 3 JNA AWARDS

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20 HEADLINE PARTNER 1 2 Rio Tinto Diamonds is one of the world s leading diamond producers and operates a globally integrated mineto-market diamond business. For over three decades, the company has been an important participant in the international diamond market with two world-class underground diamond mines in Australia (Argyle) and Canada (Diavik). Rio Tinto believes in supporting consumer confidence in its diamonds and plays an active role in addressing key industry issues surrounding product integrity and sustainable development. It is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process, as well as a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and the Diamond Producers Association. Rio Tinto s diamond sales and marketing activities, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, are supported by a network of representative offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York. 18 JNA AWARDS 2016

21 MESSAGE 2016 represents an important milestone as we celebrate five successful years of the JNA Awards. Rio Tinto is delighted to have been one of the first Headline Partners to support the Awards. We saw clear synergies with our values around promoting industry best practices and innovation, and nurturing greater industry collaboration. Five years later and best practices, particularly around responsible sourcing and supply-chain transparency, are at the forefront of the trade s and consumer s minds. At Rio Tinto, this has always been part of our DNA with our global sales and marketing initiatives focusing on the provenance of our diamond productions and their careful custody from the mine to the market. SIMON FARRY Vice President, Sales and Marketing Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds The JNA Awards plays a key role in showcasing and recognising these kind of best practices, which are critical to our industry s success. I would like to pay tribute to our partners in the JNA Awards, who have worked so hard to create such a successful and important platform. I congratulate every participant and the organiser, and look forward to growing together in the coming five years. SIMON FARRY 1. Rough diamond 2. Western Australia, home to the Argyle Diamond Mine 3. Conveyer belt at the Argyle underground diamond mine 3 JNA AWARDS

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23 HONOURED PARTNER MESSAGE On behalf of the Diarough Group, I would like to congratulate JNA on this great endeavour. It gives us immense pleasure and pride to be associated with this year s JNA Awards as an Honoured Partner. JNA is the fl ag bearer of the industry that encourages, motivates and recognises the talent in Asia within the gem and jewellery trade. As a media house, they encourage excellence, innovation and best business practices. NISHIT PARIKH Director Diarough Group Diarough Group has successfully spread its business network across the globe by following values laid down by our founding fathers. We believe that our values and adherence to highly ethical business practices have enabled us to build long-lasting relationships with our partners across various sectors and markets. Our Group is delighted to be associated with the JNA Awards as we represent similar values. Our association with the Asian market and in particular, the Hong Kong market, through Diarough HK, dates back to While building our business, we have developed many relationships with both clients and other parties within the jewellery market, and are committed to grow and nurture these relationships as well as shaping new ones. While not everyone will be a recipient on stage, let us remind ourselves that everyone present tonight is already a winner. Diarough Group was established in Antwerp in 1975 and owns diamond polishing and jewellery factories in China, India, Thailand and Botswana, with a network of sales offi ces around the world. Diarough is known among the most professional and respected names in the international diamond industry. Diarough believes in building and nurturing long-term business relationships based on mutual trust, fi nding solutions to business and marketing problems, creating marketable opportunities through innovative products and providing excellent client service. The Group employs over 3,500 people and is engaged in a wide range of diamond business activities like rough trading, cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing and marketing to retailers, chain stores, global brands and private labels worldwide. Diarough employs advanced technology and modern work speed with traditional ethical business practices upon which the Company was founded. JNA AWARDS

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25 HONOURED PARTNER MESSAGE The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is delighted to play an important role in the JNA Awards IDI has been an Honoured Partner of the JNA Awards since it was inaugurated and we are proud of the signifi cant contribution it has made to promote excellence in the global diamond and jewellery industries. The Israeli Diamond Industry, as a leading diamond trading and manufacturing centre, fully supports the values exemplifi ed by the JNA Awards. Our members are committed to excellence and full adherence to the highest standards. SHMUEL SCHNITZER Chairman Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) Asia is an important export market for the Israeli diamond industry, representing more than 35 percent of our diamond exports. In recognition of the importance of this market, we actively partner with UBM, JNA and the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fairs on various levels. This cooperation has served the Israeli Diamond Industry well, by making us well known and opening up new business opportunities throughout Asian markets. We look forward to meeting the Honourees and Recipients of the 2016 JNA Awards. We are certain that they will play an important role in the continued development and excellence of our industry. We wish the JNA Awards great success! The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is a non-profi t, public interest company that represents all organisations and institutions involved in Israel s diamond industry. IDI s main functions include marketing and branding, digital marketing, promotion of rough diamond sourcing, professional training, security consultancy, and technological research and development. IDI acts as the driving force behind the industry s international marketing campaigns, overseeing the branding, advertising, and public relations efforts. IDI organises Israel Diamond Pavilions at major trade fairs, coordinating all aspects of the industry s participation, including design, advertising, sponsorships and the advanced Find Your Diamond search platform. IDI is responsible for all digital marketing activities, operating the Israeli diamond industry portal site in four languages, Facebook and other social media platforms. Moreover, IDI invests in R&D to promote new diamond manufacturing technologies and carries out training programmes to produce new cadres of professional workers for diamond manufacturing plants. IDI also operates representative offi ces in key diamond trade centres such as Hong Kong, to promote bilateral trade and provide services for Israeli diamantaires abroad. JNA AWARDS

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27 HONOURED PARTNER MESSAGE We are privileged to be an Honoureed Partner of the prestigious JNA Awards for fi ve consecutive years. Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) has witnessed the rapid growth of China s diamond industry, which is a result of the joint efforts made by various industry stakeholders, including contributions made by the JNA Awards in raising industry standards, inspiring innovation and encouraging outstanding leadership over the past years. LIN QIANG President and Managing Director Shanghai Diamond Exchange A piece of jewellery is not merely a standalone product by itself, it represents a cultural element, contains a story behind it and touches many souls. Similarly, the jewellery industry is not a trade that involves just producing and selling. Instead, it requires a high level of professionalism, a great deal of passion and also the pursuit of perfection. SDE shares the same belief as the JNA Awards that constant improvement, strong leadership and innovation will drive the jewellery industry as a whole. The past year was not a smooth year for the diamond industry. During these diffi cult times, it is more important than ever for the industry to unite to overcome these challenges. The JNA Awards continues to create business opportunities within the trade and promotes the positive side of the business. We would like to congratulate all the Honourees and Recipients of this year s JNA Awards on their achievements. Established in 2000, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) is a non-profi t, self-regulating membership organisation and a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. Authorised by the State Council, SDE is the transaction platform for the import and export of diamonds in Mainland China. The only diamond exchange in the country, it benefi ts from a favourable taxation policy and operates in accordance with the international practices of the diamond industry. JNA AWARDS

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29 HONOURED PARTNER MESSAGE On behalf of the Guangdong Gems & Jade Exchange, it is my pleasure and honour to join the JNA Awards as an Honoured Partner for the fi rst time of this meaningful and prestigious event for the jewellery and gemstone industry. Through this partnership, we aim to seek common developments within the trade and explore an effective approach to drive the industry forward and create a prosperous future for the jewellery industry. We wish to congratulate the Honourees and Recipients for their hard work and a job well done. LI ZHIWEI General Manager Guangdong Gems & Jade Exchange The Guangdong Gems & Jade Exchange (GDGJE) was offi cially set up in February Located at the Shawan International Jewelry Industrial Park, GDGJE delivers an integrated service platform for the jewellery industry, providing services including trading, warehousing, logistics, capital settlement, customs clearance, customs brokerage, security and fi nancing. GDGJE s mission is to help drive China s jewellery industry towards standardisation and sustainable development. Engaged in providing an ideal environment for cooperation between domestic and foreign jewellery enterprises, GDGJE will not only build an import channel for domestic brands and manufacturers to connect with raw materials suppliers, but also offer assistance to foreign jewellery enterprises that want to enter the Chinese market. JNA AWARDS

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31 HONOURED PARTNER MESSAGE We are extremely proud to be an Honoured Partner of the JNA Awards for the third consecutive year. The JNA Awards is an excellent platform that brings individuals, enterprises and organisations from the trade with the same aspirations together. As a respectable and well-recognised jewellery awards in Asia, it offers opportunities for industry players to gain powerful insights into how to better serve the jewellery industry. HUANG XIAOFENG Chairman of the Board Guangdong Land Holdings Limited Guangdong Land Holdings Limited expects to further cooperate with the Awards to further promote the growth of the jewellery industry in the Asia- Pacifi c region primarily through our fl agship project, the Buxin Project, which is expected to be the most infl uential jewellery and gemstone exhibition and trading platform in China. Finally, we wish you all an enjoyable evening. Congratulations to all the Honourees and Recipients for their outstanding accomplishments! Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (GDLAND), with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is a subsidiary of GDH Limited, the largest conglomerate of Guangdong Province operating outside Mainland China. In August 1997, it was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with stock code: The principal business of GDLAND is property development and investment, including but not limited to the development and operational management of the innovative commercial real estate, urban complex and industrial business complex. As the strategic arm of GDH Limited, GDLAND engages in the business development of commercial real estate, as well as urban and industrial complex projects. For more information about the Buxin Project, please visit our offi cial website (gdland.com.hk/en/). JNA AWARDS

32 JUDGING PANEL NIRUPA BHATT Managing Director, GIA India and the Middle East ALBERT CHENG Advisor, World Gold Council Far East JAMES COURAGE Former Chief Executive, Platinum Guild International Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) India and the Middle East, has taken GIA services to over 60 locations in India, the Middle East and Turkey. She has received several global honours for her contributions to the gemstone and jewellery industry. Nirupa is a member of the Board of Directors of the All India Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) and Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI). She is also an invitee to the marketing committee of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council (WGC) in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, becoming Managing Director, Far East in He retired at the end of March 2015 and has been appointed as Advisor to World Gold Council since 1 April In addition, he was appointed International Advisor to the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2002 until now and honorary CEO of the Singapore Bullion Market Association in November Albert s marketing career began with Dentsu Young & Rubicam, Hong Kong in the early 1980s. He moved into gold marketing in July 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Regional Manager for Southeast Asia. James Courage is currently a consultant to the jewellery industry, having recently retired from his roles as Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International (PGI). At PGI, he was responsible for the organisation s global jewellery programmes, including setting up the platinum jewellery development programmes in China and India. James previously worked for De Beers in Hong Kong where he set up their Consumer Marketing Division s East Asian regional offi ce. Before that, he ran large-scale marketing programmes in the US, Canada, East Asia, South Africa and in a number of major European markets. 30 JNA AWARDS 2016

33 LIN QIANG President and Managing Director, Shanghai Diamond Exchange YASUKAZU SUWA Chairman, Suwa & Son, Inc LETITIA CHOW MEI LAI Chair of the Judging Panel Founder of JNA (Jewellery News Asia) Director of Business Development Jewellery Group, UBM Asia Ltd Lin Qiang was a pioneer in the establishment of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) and has been the bourse s President and Managing Director since He has devoted his career to the management of the only official diamond trading platform in Mainland China and implementing effective governmental policies for the country s diamond industry. Yasukazu Suwa is chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc, a Japanese gemstone dealer business established in Since becoming the first Japanese national to earn his Graduate Gemologist certification from the Gemological Institute of America in 1965, Yasukazu has travelled to gemstone mining, cutting and distribution centres around the globe while establishing his company as one of the premier gemstone dealers and manufacturers in Japan. A strong proponent of educating both the industry and consumers regarding the quality and value of gemstones, Yasukazu has written four books on the subject and developed a system for verifying the quality and judging the value of different gemstone varieties. Letitia Chow Mei Lai, Founder of JNA (Jewellery News Asia), is the Director of Business Development Jewellery Group at UBM Asia. Letitia started her affiliation with the jewellery industry in 1980 when she was appointed Executive-in- Charge of the De Beers Diamond Promotion Service in Southeast Asia. In 1983, she co-founded Jewellery News Asia, which became part of the UBM Group in Since then, the jewellery trade magazine expanded into a portfolio of trade publications and events, including the Chinese edition of JNA, SILVERSTYLES, online products, trade directories, show dailies and award events. JNA AWARDS

34 2 1 3 lifetime achievement award SHOUZUI YASUI Yasui is a name that has long been associated with casting solutions for the jewellery industry. Visit any jewellery manufacturing facility in Thailand, China, the US and elsewhere and chances are you would find Yasui s blue machines playing the role of workhorse on the factory floor. For 44 years, I have dedicated my life to the development of casting solutions for the jewellery sector, said Shouzui Yasui, CEO of Tokyo-based Yasui & Co and the recipient of the 2016 JNA Awards highest honour the Lifetime Achievement Award. Always moving and always seeking ways to improve its products, the company, which lives by the tagline, The gold standard in fine casting, is perhaps one of the unsung heroes of the jewellery industry: The people behind it are rarely seen in the spotlight and they are more than happy to remain invisible but the impact of their innovations have long-lasting and far-reaching effects on the sector s development. According to Albert Cheng, a member of the JNA Awards judging panel and an advisor to the World Gold Council, the Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved honour for Shouzui Yasui. Yasui s casting solutions, starting from the wax injector, were seen as pivotal in the mass production of jewellery, which consequently made jewellery accessible and affordable to many. This spurred on demand, triggering a ripple effect across precious materials suppliers, gemstone and jewellery manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. These innovations changed the way jewellery was marketed and sold, Cheng shared. Mr. Shouzui Yasui keeps his ear to the ground and listens to what his customers are saying. He constantly looks for opportunities to innovate. As a result, his total casting solutions undergo many generations of reiteration and improvements be it in process optimisation, efficiency and output. 32 JNA AWARDS 2016

35 Letitia Chow, founder of JNA, director of Business Development Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, and chair of the JNA Awards judging panel, added, It is common knowledge that there are two blue boxes in the jewellery industry. One is represented by a high-end consumer brand that has come to symbolise gifts of special significance. The other represents a jewellery casting company that the trade associates with high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The latter is Yasui s blue box. Spirit of innovation Yasui & Co started out as a trading company in Founded by Masao Yasui, Shouzui s father, the enterprise was initially known as M. Yasui & Co Ltd. Two decades since its establishment, the company found its mettle tested when the fixed exchange rate system gave way to free floating currencies the global floating currency system that we have today. This drastic change in US monetary policy, introduced in 1971, left trading companies vulnerable, compelling the Yasuis to adjust to the realities of a changing world. To remain competitive, the company decided to focus on two niche product lines one of which is jewellery casting machinery. Yasui s pioneering culture is evident in its product line-up in the last four decades. It started developing its Vacuum Wax Injector in 1980, which was marketed globally starting from In 1991, the company commenced exports of its casting machines. Three years later, Yasui launched its electric Rotating Burnout Furnace. In 2002, the casting expert released its Digital Vacuum Wax Injection System. Ten years later, Yasui rolled out its third-generation wax machine, ALTIMA. One of the lessons I have learned in this industry is to always set higher goals because there is so much that we can accomplish. Our mission is to be the best at what we do, Shouzui said. In fact, immediately after releasing a new product, we are already busy developing the next one. Strategic leadership Yasui is poised for the next phase of strong growth as it continues its aggressive product development. The casting solutions expert is scheduled to inaugurate a new factory powered by 30 employees by the end of By expanding its factory, Yasui aims not only to increase its production capacity but to develop and deliver new products that can fulfill its customers needs. In 2015, Yasui established a Global Technical Center in Thailand, which endeavours to provide high-quality service and solutions to the jewellery sector. We never stop innovating. We will be launching even better casting solutions in the years to come, Shouzui said. In order to do so, it is imperative that we build an even more dynamic organisation, and that s something that we are working on every day Shouzui Yasui, CEO of Yasui & Co 2. Yasui & Co s casting machines are widely used by some of the industry s major jewellers 3. Yasui & Co showcases its latest innovations at international trade fairs 4. The people behind Yasui & Co celebrate the company s 60th anniversary in Tokyo 5. Shouzui Yasui, centre, is flanked by his father, Masao Yasui, left, and Manabu Watanabe, a long-time accounting manager at Yasui & Co, in this photo JNA AWARDS

36 HONOUREES BY CATEGORY AWARD CATEGORY HONOUREE COUNTRY/ REGION Brand of the Year Retail Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation Caibai DeGem Masterpiece Sdn Bhd DeGem Hiersun Industrial Co Ltd I Do Pranda Group Prima Gold Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd Sunfeel Jewelry SK Jewellery Pte Ltd SK Jewellery China Malaysia China Thailand China Singapore Industry Innovation / Sustainability Initiative of the Year Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation Gübelin Gem Lab Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd China Switzerland China China China China China China Manufacturer of the Year Cutting & Polishing Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd RMC Gems India Ltd Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd India India India India Manufacturer of the Year Jewellery KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd PANDORA Production Co Ltd Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd Hong Kong Thailand China 34 JNA AWARDS 2016

37 AWARD CATEGORY HONOUREE COUNTRY/ REGION Outstanding Enterprise of the Year ASEAN Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company Soo Kee Group Vietnam Singapore Outstanding Enterprise of the Year India Kapu Gems Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd India India Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China KELA KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd China Hong Kong China China Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below) Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd SK Jewellery Pte Ltd China Taiwan Vietnam China Singapore E-tailer of the Year China Stone Co Ltd Hattons Diamonds Thailand Hong Kong Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) Chau Tsankwan Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd Karim Merchant Pure Gold Jewellers Wang Zhuo Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd China UAE China JNA AWARDS

38 BEIJING CAISHIKOU DEPARTMENT STORE CORPORATION 1 Categories: BRAND OF THE YEAR RETAIL INDUSTRY INNOVATION/SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR RETAILER OF THE YEAR (450 OUTLETS AND BELOW) Country / Region: China Brand Name: CAIBAI 2 Professionalism and genuine, personal service these are the hallmarks that have brought Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation, popularly known as Caibai, to the top of China s jewellery industry. Its commitment to the highest quality standards, giving the personal touch and employing innovative solutions to reach the mass consumer audience, has garnered the respect and admiration of its industry peers. For these same reasons, the 2016 JNA Awards is honouring Caibai in no less than 36 JNA AWARDS 2016

39 three categories: Brand of the Year Retail, Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year, and Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below). The JNA Awards is a platform that fosters collaboration among the leading companies in the industry. It also puts our brand and our strengths in the limelight and in front of an influential audience, Caibai said. Tradition and technology For more than six decades, the Caibai brand has been synonymous with honest, professional and personal jewellery consultation services. For the retailer, the tradition of giving the total customer experience is extended to every individual who sets foot in its stores from the delivery of pre-purchase consulting services to after-sales support. To build customer loyalty to its brand, Caibai set up a jewellery service centre the first retailer to do so in China. Each centre adheres to 33 service pledges covering the pre-sale, sale and after-sales processes. It also provides complimentary jewellery valuation, and repair and cleaning services to customers. Caibai s superior customer service is instrumental in making it one of the most trusted brands in the country. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016, Caibai promises to launch initiatives that will further promote its distinct jewellery culture across Asia. With more than a million products in its inventory, Caibai is in the final stages of rolling out an IT infrastructure that integrates its online and offline sales and services. This wireless sales network is capable of supporting up to 1,000 franchise stores. Each retail store will be equipped with business intelligence applications that include a centralised image library system that can give effective, speedy and accurate online support to frontline sales. Not only will this system reduce waiting time at queue lines for customers, it can also prevent criminals from technically faking sales receipts. This system enhances the security of the entire sales process. By saving 20 seconds per transaction multiplied by its estimated 200,000 transactions per year the company effectively saves up to 1,111 hours annually. This time-saving tool is welcomed by both customers and retail employees. On top of that, the system also substantially improves inventory control and sales analysis, and can expedite product research and development. In 2016, Caibai extended its franchise operations by opening more chain stores alongside its traditional selfoperated shops. In addition, it also expanded its reach throughout China by conquering online sales via Tmall. com and 360Buy. The company also extended its personal touch to social media platforms such as Weibo and WeChat where its target audience is most active. Merging traditional media with new technologies helps Caibai enhance its visibility and remain relevant to young professionals its core customer base. Marketing successes In spite of tougher market conditions, Caibai has sustained its position as the market leader. In 2015, its revenue increased by 10 percent year on year to US$2.06 billion. Caibai, however, is not one to be complacent. Its one-on-one service, plus unique marketing concepts, continues to entice loyal and new clients alike. In addition, the retailer offers attractive benefits to VIP customers. One particular innovation that customers love is Caibai s twice-a-year jewellery exchange, where clients can trade in or exchange their old jewellery pieces for new ones. This activity attracts a large number of consumers and drives sales even higher. 3 4 JNA AWARDS

40 Caibai stores are also unique since they offer more than just a shopping experience. Its outlets are set up like a modern museum that promotes the art and culture of jewellery design and creation. A collection of various precious mineral samples from around the world is exhibited in its stores, allowing consumers opportunities to understand the beauty and true worth of the natural resources used to create the jewellery that they will treasure for years to come. The retailer regularly hosts lectures and exhibits by local and international jewellery designers, which help keep consumers updated on the latest design trends while deepening their understanding of and appreciation for the beauty and rarity of each piece of Caibai jewellery. Social responsibility A truly great brand succeeds because of the loyalty it inspires in people, and Caibai knows that it can only establish a powerful connection with consumers by winning over the hearts of its own employees first. Caibai s dynamic and revolutionary management model encourages the personal development of everyone in the Caibai family at all levels. The retailer also offers stock options to its employees, enabling business managers, professional and technical personnel, chiefs of staff, and administrative workers to participate in its benefit-sharing plan. This profit-sharing strategy directly ties an employee s performance and career growth to the company s. It also empowers enterprising and talented personnel to take ownership of the brand and align their goals and accomplishments with those of Caibai s. Working at Caibai is not only profitable but fun as well. The company regularly organises activities that promote the physical and mental health of employees. The retailer hosts sports and cultural events that enhance the bond between team members, build up trust in the workplace and inspire deeper loyalty to the company. This corporate culture of genuinely caring for its employees extends to the local communities where Caibai operates. As a member of the National Jewelry Standardization Technical Committee and the National Gemology Standardization Technical Committee, Caibai helped draft and formulate the Service Standard of Jewelry Accessories Business policy. It was recently awarded Company of Special Contribution by the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China in recognition of the retailer s continued support for standardisation efforts in the jewellery sector. Caibai s passion for excellence and authenticity makes it an exemplary model for others to emulate. It was the recipient of the first Beijing Municipal Government Quality Control Award, the 2nd China Quality Control Award Nomination, and the National Top Quality and Integrity Enterprise accolade among others. At the 2016 JNA Awards, Caibai is a finalist in three high-profile categories. For a long time now, the company has remained committed to social services that benefit the communities where Caibai stores are located. Caibai founded its own corporate volunteer group, which in October 2015 was honoured by the Xicheng District Government and the Beijing Volunteer Union. From JNA AWARDS 2016

41 October 2014 to March 2016, Caibai and its more than 15,000 volunteers conducted outreach projects in 305 communities. Caibai has also donated and partnered with various organisations including the China Women Development Foundation and the Beijing Teenager Development Foundation. One of its charity drives generated more than US$100,000 in donations. Another revolutionary and innovative practice of Caibai that benefits the community is its adoption of lowcarbon management systems. Working closely with third-party professional institutions, the retailer also ensures that its facilities dispose of hazardous wastes properly, and that its manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly. To further promote the concept of lowcarbon emission in everyday life, Caibai has also been organising annual tree-planting activities since Industry trendsetter Making high-quality jewellery accessible to mass consumers is one of Caibai s major contributions to the industry. China s competitive jewellery market and challenging economic environment have compelled Caibai to quickly retune its business strategy: It has since shifted its focus to enhancing its product structure, stepped up its consumer education and promotion efforts and tapped into new media channels to capture a bigger audience while maintaining its loyal customer base. In 2015, Caibai partnered with the World Gold Council in the establishment of a K-gold concept store. It also opened a Forevermark Diamond Jewellery concept boutique with De Beers, with a carat-diamond sales zone that successfully raised the brand s profile, and stimulated the demand for fine diamond jewellery. The company also introduced licensed products like Tom & Jerry from Warner Bros, which customers mostly purchased for their children. In addition, Caibai also launched four product collections featuring high-quality and original designs that garnered rave reviews from consumers and boosted sales by 15 percent. These collections were Blessing, Children, Chinese Zodiac and Wedding Celebration. Online marketing also proved to be a huge success for Caibai, especially when it conducted its first WeChat promotion, which saw the retailer giving away US$62,000 worth of Red Pocket vouchers online to the general public. The promotional event generated a whopping US$7.7 million in sales for the company. The future promises to be bright for Caibai as it continues to integrate new technologies and introduce highquality collections and designs to its ever-expanding customer base all while remaining true to its timehonoured tradition of genuine and personal service. 1. Headquarters of Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation. The company is more popularly known as Caibai in China 2. Jade necklace from Caibai 3. Auspicious gold coins 4. A branch of precious coral from Caibai s collection 5. Blue-green tourmaline jewellery set 6. Zhao Zhiliang, chairman of Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation 7. Wang Chunli, general manager of Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation 8. A Caibai sales staff weighs a piece of gold jewellery on a professionally calibrated scale 9. One of Caibai s fine opal specimens 10. Caibai offers weaving lessons to customers on weekends 11. Wang Chunli, general manager of Beijing Caishikou Department Store Corporation, takes part in public welfare activities in Tibet JNA AWARDS

42 CHII LIH CORAL CO LTD 1 Category: RETAILER OF THE YEAR (450 OUTLETS AND BELOW) Country / Region: Taiwan 2 Taiwan s Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd is a force to reckon with in the precious coral industry. Earning the Brand of the Year Retail honour in the 2015 JNA Awards, Chii Lih showed that working smart and maximising current resources can propel a company to greater heights. The retailer remains top of mind for consumers who love coral jewellery in K-gold, platinum and sterling silver. It is also known for its fine-quality coral carvings that showcase the craftsmanship of artisans from Taiwan, Japan and Italy. Chii Lih wisely transcends all market profiles, from fashion accessories that sell for as low as US$20 to big-ticket items, which can ring up sales in the millions of dollars. Quality vs Quantity Capitalising on the presence of its more than 20 stores throughout Taiwan, Chii Lih strategically went for grandness and quality over quantity. Most Chii Lih stores are located at premium retail centres, and are larger than its competitors flagship jewellery outlets. 40 JNA AWARDS 2016

43 3 4 For instance, a Chii Lih jewellery mall has a floor space ranging from 1,700 square metres to 7,000 square metres. The company expanded its retail business distribution, which includes flagship stores that are tactically located in some of the most famous landmarks of Taiwan including Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Kaohsiung 85 Building and the Taitung Chii Lih Coral Museum. These proved to be sound decisions. Chii Lih, however, is not one to rest on its laurels. It welcomes and encourages schools to organise visits to its stores, with a view to giving students an introduction to the world of precious coral and fine jewellery. These field trips and educational visits enable Chii Lih to connect and develop brand relationships with the next generation of consumers. The Chii Lih Coral Museum in Taitung and its stores are also recommended by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau as must-see destinations, which draw thousands of tourists every day. Just as Taiwan saw a 2 percent increase in mainland arrivals in 2015 to nearly 3.5 million tourists, Chii Lih recorded an 8 percent growth in its annual revenue to US$342 million. Creative marketing In 2015, the company made it its mission to improve its brand image and services in all aspects of its business. Chii Lih stores underwent massive renovations, which included upgrades to its showcases and display equipment. The investment costs might be high but Chii Lih believes that enhancing the in-store customer experience and satisfaction is always a worthwhile pursuit. This holds true especially for VIP customers who enjoy Chii Lih s promotional activities, which include appointments-only events to view the company s finest, rarest and most exclusive coral collections. It was also the year when Chii Lih set foot in the hotel industry through franchising arrangements with four business hotels and a five-star holiday resort. Each of its hotel partners houses a Chii Lih jewellery boutique that draws repeat business for the precious coral specialist. To drive traffic to its stores, Chii Lih launched marketing campaigns through select platforms including in-flight advertising, magazines and social media. Admittedly, Chii Lih considers social media as the most common way for people to receive information today. Hence, the company has embraced social media as a platform to express the brand s ideas and philosophy, and impact its target customers brand awareness and loyalty. With social media being extremely effective and efficient it allows companies to launch real-time campaigns and encourages immediate customer feedback it has played a pivotal role in Chii Lih s marketing strategy. Similarly, Chii Lih s impressive product showcase on its official website has helped draw customers to its doors. While online jewellery shopping isn t in the works right now, the value of making Chii Lih s collections visible online is incalculable since it helps boost in-store traffic. The company believes that nothing can replace the overwhelming and satisfying experience that customers enjoy in an actual store. Looking ahead In spite of putting its faith in bricks-and-mortar shops, Chii Lih is not closing its doors on e-commerce opportunities. It is currently working with China s National Gemstone Testing Center on the standardisation of guidelines for precious coral. Once the guidelines are set, an e-commerce platform is being considered. JNA AWARDS

44 In the last quarter of 2016, Chii Lih is slated to open a coloured gemstone museum in Yilan County, Taiwan. It is anticipated to be the biggest gemstone museum in Asia showcasing Chii Lih s vast collections of Taiwanese jade, blue chalcedony, precious corals, amethysts, marble stone carvings and precious wood carvings among others. Chii Lih is also set to introduce new collections of light luxury pink coral jewellery collections targeting millennial consumers. Valuing teamwork Currently, Chii Lih employs more than 1,000 retail staff in Taiwan, and the company consistently credits the team for its success. To show its appreciation for its employees, the group regularly organises training programmes for its retail team. The training sessions are designed to equip them with superior gemstone knowledge and valuable lessons in customer service. Additionally, Chii Lih rewards its employees with benefits and incentives, which are commensurate with their hard work and contribution to the team. The company s salary structure provides several kinds of bonus programmes. Chii Lih s exemplary corporate culture has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, it was the recipient of the JNA Awards Brand of the Year Retail prize, as well as the 2013 and 2015 Golden Business Corporation of the Year awards from another prestigious programme. Social entrepreneurship Just as Chii Lih shines like a gemstone basking in the success of its business, it also illuminates the world through its advocacies. Chii Lih has donated coral trees to the National Palace Museum in Taipei and Buddhist temples in Beijing and Qinghai. The company has also contributed a coral carving of Mazu the goddess of the sea to Jin an Temple in Taiwan, a world heritage site. Chii Lih has also been a proud sponsor of various academic research projects on marine environment protection for many years, including numerous studies conducted by the Central Research Labs of Taiwan. The company also contributed to the establishment of a research station on Green Island in southeast Taiwan. In addition to its environmental conservation and protection efforts, Chii Lih also backs sporting events. In 2011, Chii Lih Taitung established a men s baseball team under the Taiwanese Amateur Baseball League, and recently, in January 2016, Chii Lih Kaohsiung established its second baseball team. Offseason, the athletes work for Chii Lih across various departments. The athletes are also beneficiaries of professional training courses on retail sales, administrative assignments, hotel housekeeping and reception services, providing them with core skills that could help them prepare for their post-retirement employment options. Chii Lih makes regular cash donations to hospitals and various non-profit organisations across Taiwan. The employees are also encouraged to participate in blood donation drives. Thus far, the company has already donated two Blood Mobiles to hospitals in Taitung. The company certainly makes it a tradition to give back to society. It annually celebrates Chinese festivals by spearheading charity events such as care services for the elderly, and giving out mooncakes and red gift bags to families in need of financial aid. 1. One of Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd s shops at Taipei Coral jewellery by Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd 3. Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd s museum showcases fine specimens of precious coral 4. A collection of exceptional coral branches and coral carvings from Chii Lih Coral Co 5. Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd CEO Hung Mingli 6. One of Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd s impressive product displays 7. Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd actively initiates charity events JNA AWARDS 2016

45 CHINA STONE CO LTD Category: E-TAILER OF THE YEAR Country / Region: Thailand China Stone Co Ltd is well known in the global jewellery and luxury watch industry as a trusted supplier that provides instant and consistent access to over 20 million melee-sized, natural coloured gemstones in a strictly uniformed and perfectly calibrated array of colours, proportions and sizes. Entering the industry scene in 1995, China Stone began as a vertically integrated manufacturer, working closely with small mining communities in Australia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Laos, Tanzania, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique and Brazil. China Stone helped revitalise mining production for a number of closed mines and was able to produce reliable vendors through long-term investments into mine run contracts for melee-sized (under 1 carat) uncut gemstones to ensure consistent supply and delivery of gemstones in the 0.10-carat to 1-carat size range. JNA AWARDS

46 customers want to be able to move from their mobile phone to a PC or to a tablet, and receive the same information and same level of functionality. Hence, they designed their e-store, content and accessibility to be the same across all devices in order to deliver a consistent and good customer experience. In 1999, China Stone launched its first e-commerce website, becoming a pioneer in electronic retailing of loose gemstones. Of course, having an e-commerce platform alone is not enough to compete in a fiercely competitive industry. Thus, the company developed its own sophisticated e-commerce system to provide its customers more reasons to choose China Stone s online store over its competitors. By offering product knowledge and expertise, tailored search and assortments, front-end technologies, certification of responsibly sourced materials and global delivery, China Stone s customers are inclined to visit the e-store more often. In addition, the company s online interface is easy for customers to engage in, whenever and however they want: Be it from their desktop PCs, mobile tablets or smartphones. Competitive edge China Stone s e-tailer slogan, A Better Way To Buy Gems, addresses the requirements of jewellery designers, artisans and luxury watchmakers. It reflects the company s efforts to create curated product assortments and categorisations that are tailored to the needs of carefully selected target customer groups. Using data analysis and its own unique Data Management Platform to map a customer s choice process, China Stone helps the customer narrow down the product range, even as it offers effective pricing and promotions. According to China Stone s experience, Price does not rule e-tailing, but trust does. So, offering products and services that are customised according to their clients individual needs and preferences increases trust and strengthens brand loyalty. In a physical store, customers look forward to simple, hassle-free and value-rich deals when shopping, and they want to interact with online stores in a similar way. While some e-tailers prefer separate websites for different devices and features, China Stone understands that 3 In 2015, China Stone launched its corporate branding and responsive online portals, which were designed to build momentum around a new retail format of pre-packaged and certified calibrated coloured stones. The method takes the stress out of buying loose gemstones online, whether high-precision facetted or cabochon-cut gems. The unified design approach develops trust between the customer and China Stone, and the consistent look and feel across websites and devices has a positive impact on the conversion rates. The upgrade also features a streamlined user interface with enhanced navigation, advanced search capabilities and an ultra-fast single-page order checkout that allows customers to complete an order in less than 1 minute. The B2C outlet at www. echinastone.com focuses on curated product assortments, tailored to the needs of selected customer groups who can quickly and securely access over 8 million packaged and certified natural coloured stones. It also has a unique colour search and filtering, which is the most sophisticated system in the industry today. It allows customers to quickly find and match gemstones by colour, using a visual colour scale guide or searching for specific and related colours according to tone and hue. To manage business relationships on multiple levels, China Stone has a B2B omni-channel portal at www. TheChinaStone.com, which is the main hub for enterprise customers. Here, China Stone offers clientpartners fast and secure end-to-end transaction support, visual merchandising, accurate and real-time product and inventory information, expedited order fulfilment, live customer service, confidential individual account history, single-view of inventory access across all channels and individualised pricing. The omni-channel portal allows for easy informationsharing throughout the company. China Stone s clients can begin an interaction online, at any of these websites, but then switch to the contact centre, before finally visiting a distributor or exhibition booth and 44 JNA AWARDS 2016

47 expect every touchpoint in the company to be made aware of the activity they carried out. These upgraded technologies and systems helped boost China Stone s annual revenue from US$24 million to US$27 million in The customer base also increased by 133 percent, from 1,500 in 2014 to 3,500 in Leading and learning With over 400 people in the China Stone family and in two state-of-the-art production facilities in Bangkok, Thailand and Zhengzhou, China, China Stone keeps a culture of open communication, integrity and respect that enhances the quality of working relationships. This practice ensures that both the physical working environment and business practices allow employees to develop and deliver their best. A corporate social network also enables China Stone to have a real-time collaborative digital ecosystem that allows for virtual workspaces to be fully integrated and seamless with physical channels. It allows the staff to connect across teams, offices, channels and customers even when working remotely or from home. This allows the management and staff to improve and learn from each other in order to better understand customers, and achieve the company s goal to be the first-choice supplier of calibrated, natural and authentic gemstones for world-leading jewellers and watchmakers. China Stone also actively participates and engages in major industry trade shows around the world. This 2016, China Stone feels honoured to be nominated at the JNA Awards under the category E-tailer of the Year. For the company, simply being at the JNA Awards means an opportunity for them to measure up China Stone s progress with other businesses, and to learn from their peers in the industry. We believe that it is very important to recognise jewellery industry leaders and innovators since they are setting better standards by example, related Li Chongjie, managing director of China Stone. To be recognised and honoured by members of the trade is also gratifying, said Li, and has a positive impact on the enterprise as a whole. Being an honouree and winning the JNA Awards helps us deliver a positive message to our investors, trade partners, distributors and customers. We also benefit greatly from the increased awareness and independent validation of our business achievements, Li shared. It essentially helps us retain our market leadership, which ultimately translates into a sales advantage. 1. Customers may purchase gemstones from China Stone Co Ltd on any device. The gemstone manufacturer s upgraded portal features a streamlined user interface with enhanced navigation, advanced search capabilities and an ultra-fast single-page order checkout 2. China Stone s Li Chongjie, right, meets with his team 3. China Stone Co Ltd staff inspect parcels of coloured gemstones in calibrated sizes 4. Li Chongjie, managing director of China Stone Co Ltd 5. Calibrated coloured gemstones from China Stone Co Ltd 5 JNA AWARDS

48 DEGEM MASTERPIECE SDN BHD 1 Category: BRAND OF THE YEAR RETAIL Country / Region: Malaysia Brand Name: DeGem 2 DeGem Masterpiece Sdn Bhd has carved its niche in Malaysia as the sole local jeweller to bring the widest array of fine coloured gemstone and diamond jewellery collections into the country. The retailer has been proudly wearing this mark of distinction, serving the region s elite and discerning clientele since brand remains unmatched in its category. Its exquisite collection of diamond and gemstone pieces, gold and diamond fashion jewellery, and even wedding and engagement rings have become widely recognised by way of the company s partnerships with international diamond brands Lazare and Forevermark, and luxury jeweller Victor Mayer. Today, DeGem has six retail boutiques spread across Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Singapore. Collectively, they are manned by a hardworking staff of 150 who made it possible for the brand to net an impressive US$25 million in sales in Customers in Malaysia and Singapore know DeGem is the brand to be trusted when it comes to excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer care. From jewellery design to stone setting and from expert gemstone consultancy to personalised services, the For DeGem, being named an Honouree in the Brand of the Year Retail category of the 2016 JNA Awards is a testament to its 36 years of dedication to and passion for the art of jewellery-making. This accolade is a significant recognition of the continuous efforts by DeGem to build and retain its brand image and positioning. As a premium jeweller in Malaysia, DeGem has been focused on enhancing product quality and customer service to gain market share and grow sales, DeGem said. 46 JNA AWARDS 2016

49 Market resilience The year 2015 was economically tough for Malaysia, marked by the depreciation of the Malaysian Ringgit. The implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) likewise had significantly challenging effects on the luxury sector. To cushion the adverse impacts arising from such economic conditions, DeGem invested in a marketing campaign that included a strategic digital communication plan, the creation of a new product category, and expansion of a new customer database. DeGem created two high-quality gemstone collections The Enchanted Garden of 2014 and The Paradiso of 2015 that helped secure its position as the only premium local jeweller in Malaysia specialising in high-quality gemstones. When it launched a new category showcasing diamond fashion jewellery under the Soleluna brand, the company teamed up with the region s popular online fashion portal Tongue in Chic for a digital marketing campaign. It involved the engagement of four prominent online personalities who appealed to consumers who are in their 20s and 30s. DeGem actively seeks a variety of opportunities to engage with customers through our social media platform, customer relationship management initiatives, exclusive event invitations, public roadshows as well as in-store special promotions. Through such platforms, we hope to enhance brand awareness and recall as well as forge a stronger relationship with our customers, DeGem said. It was a bold but calculated move, infusing trendy fashion accessories with real diamonds offered at affordable prices. A product of a collaboration between DeGem and Rio Tinto Diamonds, this new category proved to be a success when satisfied customers both new and repeat clients provided positive feedback about the new jewellery line. As a result of its strategic marketing campaign, the company sold more than 550 pieces of jewellery in its five boutiques in Malaysia within four months of the collection s launch and opened up a totally new market for the brand. DeGem raked in 3 more than RM900,000 (about US$226,000) in sales, proving that the right product sells even in challenging times. The coming year promises to be even more exciting for DeGem and its discerning customers, with more jewellery collections set to reach a larger-scale audience. Some of the exciting projects by DeGem in the coming year include the expansion of our retail brand presence in Malaysia and other ASEAN markets; the launch of a bespoke masterpiece collection that will cater to the demand of our niche customer database; and the introduction of new collections in the diamond fashion jewellery category that will enhance the brand s product mix and mass market appeal, DeGem said. Creating a valuable retail brand requires two important factors a brand story that can relate to customers of various economic backgrounds and values that distinctly set the brand apart from others. A brand story relates to how a brand can play a part at every stage of the customer s journey, inspiring emotional responses such as happiness, appreciation and pride, the jeweller said. Priceless customer service Majority of DeGem s customers Malaysians and tourists alike have shown their loyalty to the brand through the years. The brand reciprocates by delivering service that is sensitive to the needs of every customer who walks into its boutiques. 4 Aware of its clientele s well-heeled status in society, DeGem puts a premium on confidentiality. Customers are assured that their personal information are kept secure, making them accessible only to authorised top-level store officers. Every visit to a DeGem boutique becomes extra special since customers can shop for jewellery in complete privacy. JNA AWARDS

50 A valuable retail brand is also impacted by brand differentiation through outstanding customer experience, be it in the form of product offering, in-store customer service or even after-sales follow up, DeGem said. One distinct service that DeGem offers is its customised jewellery design and manufacturing option, which is one of the defining characteristics of the brand. Conscientious governance DeGem underscores the importance of good governance by ensuring the well-being of its employees and establishing solid relationships with businesses that are admired and respected in the industry. It has partnerships with Rio Tinto Diamonds and Forevermark, and is committed to upholding the responsible sourcing of raw coloured gemstones and diamonds. In the last couple of years, in response to concerns about the availability of synthetic diamonds, DeGem started to partner with Rio Tinto, not only in the launch of a diamond fashion jewellery collection, but in the utilisation of smaller diamonds from known, responsible parties. This is to ensure that the brand continues to provide only natural, responsibly sourced products to customers, the company said. The retailer also serves as Forevermark s Authorised Jeweller in Malaysia, noting that the high-end diamond brand is known for ensuring that each Forevermark diamond is responsibly sourced. DeGem also works with US-based Lazare for its annual advocacy in Malaysia called Wing of Hope. The project aims to encourage Lazare s customers in the Southeast Asian country to work hand-in-hand with DeGem in supporting the charity during the in-store campaign period. In 2015, DeGem was able to raise RM30,000 (more than US$7,000) for the National Stroke Association of Malaysia by donating RM50 (about US$12) for every RM5,000-worth (about US$1,200) of Lazare diamond purchased. Work-life balance is also a priority at DeGem since a healthy and fit workforce is its greatest asset. This means promoting healthy lifestyle practices among its employees through wellness programmes such as its Fun Run & Family Day in November 2015, which included a morning marathon, Zumba class and an arts and crafts competition. This initiative boosts employee morale, fosters team spirit, encourages creativity, and provides DeGem staff with opportunities to forge deeper bonds with their family members. Continuous motivation also comes in the form of learning opportunities and performance recognition. As part of its annual initiatives, DeGem organised a company dinner for its employees, which included an awards ceremony honouring its top sales and loyal staff. The company s leadership development initiatives for its employees are also vital to improving business performance: They help build effective teams and ensure the delivery of quality service. In spite of its continued success and growth, DeGem remains invested in expanding its industry knowledge and participating in industry-wide causes that champion best business practices, innovation and operational excellence. By participating in the JNA Awards, DeGem is demonstrating its commitment to and support of the outstanding initiatives of companies and organisations within the trade, the retailer said. The Awards serves as an avenue for DeGem to play a bigger role in promoting best industry practices, while at the same time expanding and strengthening cooperation among industry players. 1. DeGem s flagship store in Bangsar, Malaysia 2. Fire opal series from DeGem s Paradiso Collection 3. The Sweet Indulgence Necklace by DeGem 4. The Lazare section at DeGem s boutique in Ampang, Malaysia 5. DeGem Executive Director Stephen Choong 6. DeGem and Lazare present a RM30,000 cheque to the National Stroke Association of Malaysia JNA AWARDS 2016

51 GÜBELIN GEM LAB 1 Category: INDUSTRY INNOVATION/SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Country / Region: Switzerland 2 Gübelin Gem Lab Ltd is recognised for pushing the boundaries of excellence and innovation in the coloured gemstone industry. One of the oldest and most respected names in the jewellery world, this gem lab, which traces its history back to the early 1900s, combines state-of-the-art analytical techniques, expertise and extensive practical skills when it comes to interpreting gemmological and geological data, and rendering a professional opinion on diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls. With such a well-established track record, it comes as no surprise that Gübelin Gem Lab has been named one of the honourees in the Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year category of the 2016 JNA Awards. Initiatives such as the JNA Awards play an important role as motivators for us to invest in innovation. Such initiatives not only improve business performance, but may also have a positive impact for an entire business branch regarding product quality, sustainability and social responsibility, said Daniel Nyfeler, managing director of the Gübelin Gem Lab. The JNA Awards also forms a platform where leading brands come together to exchange ideas and innovations. Gübelin Gem Lab was founded in Lucerne, Switzerland in An industry pioneer, the lab offers specialised analysis or Gemmological Reports for all types of coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls, as well as Gemmological Profiles that complement the report. JNA AWARDS

52 These profiles are contained in individual booklets that provide the background, context and explanation on the stone featured in the report. Catering mainly to international gemstone traders and jewellers, auction houses and private clients, Gübelin Gem Lab has gemmological laboratories in Switzerland, Hong Kong and New York, all of which serve as its distribution channels. The gem lab, which actively participates in international trade fairs, also employs a vast network of shuttle services, which spans the globe, and off-premise testing centres at international gemstone hubs. As a gemmological laboratory, we confine ourselves to the analysis and interpretation of the scientific characteristics of gemstones. We do not engage in any commercial aspect of the gemstone and jewellery trade whatsoever. We are committed to contributing to and maintaining a healthy and sustainable gemstone industry, and it is our mission to protect our clients by providing the trade with accurate and relevant information on gemstones, Nyfeler said. Proven expertise Gübelin Gem Lab uses state-of-the-art equipment for its various studies, and applies both standard and advanced techniques to every endeavour it undertakes. One of the lab s more recent accomplishments involved the determination of the formation age of sapphires. After the initial age determination accomplished by Gübelin Gem Lab scientists in the fall of 2015 on facetted Madagascar sapphires, we managed, for the first time, to determine directly the formation age of the most precious Kashmir sapphires. To test our in-house method, this age is confirmed by an independent age 3 determination of zircon inclusions in another Kashmir sapphire reference stone at the high-resolution SIMS facility of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Nyfeler said. Meanwhile, the Gübelin Gem Lab is applying age determinations on a regular basis on high-quality, facetted rubies and sapphires from all economically relevant origins such as Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Burma and Kashmir. This new method is especially relevant as in some cases, microscopic inclusions, and spectroscopic and chemicals analyses are not sufficient to securely identify an origin. This demonstrates the broad applicability of age determination on high-end gemstones in gem labs, he added. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, no other gemtesting lab has so far ever achieved or even attempted to apply radiometric dating to valuable client stones. It is the combination of three factors that enable such achievements: The availability of the most sophisticated analytical equipment operated by highly knowledgeable and experienced geologists and geochemists, and the availability of a complete reference collection of samples of confirmed provenance, Nyfeler said. Knowing the age of formation of a gemstone aids in the determination of the origin. By providing detailed identification and references, and reports on enhancements, origin and complete analysis customised for gemstones of special significance, Gübelin gives its customers fresh and fascinating insights into their gemstones. We shed light into the geological history of the stone while instilling a sense of eternity that comes naturally with gems, as well as giving individuality and uniqueness to a stone. It significantly increases robustness, trustworthiness and quality of origin determination methods, Nyfeler explained. Knowledge-sharing culture Building on the expertise it has gained from decades of experience in the sector, Gübelin Gem Lab regularly collaborates with industry associations and institutes to further advance gemstone research and consumer education JNA AWARDS 2016

53 are applied to the staff as well. No expense is spared. Gübelin Gem Lab invests considerable amounts for resources, internal and external trainings, and field trips for both junior and senior members of the team. This also includes involvement at scientific conferences, trade fairs and workshops. Additionally, the Gübelin Gem Lab initiated and continues to sponsor the annual Dr. Eduard Gübelin Research Scholarship. We initiate, fund and manage thesis studies of university students as well as internships. Finally, we pass on gemmological knowledge to the trade and private sector through the Gübelin Academy, Nyfeler said. We make huge efforts to keep the laboratory knowledge up to date. Considerable sums every year are spent on research, Nyfeler said. It is more than a 90- year tradition for our lab to pass on gained knowledge to the interested community though publications and oral presentations. To meet the high demand for quality research, the company s methodology is painstakingly recorded for the benefit of other laboratories in the industry. Furthermore, the gem lab shares its acquired knowledge through its scientific publications and numerous presentations to gemmologically trained audiences. We give other laboratories a guide to follow and apply our techniques on their gemstones as long as they have the requisite laboratory facilities, Nyfeler said. With this full disclosure and accurate representation of gemstones, which results in the reduction of conflicting reports, the end-consumers are reassured of the authenticity of their gems. Consequently, Gübelin Gem Lab stands secure in a position of leadership in the field of gemstone analysis. The gem lab places great importance on safeguarding the future of the gemstone industry. Underscoring its staunch support of consumer protection programmes, he said, We strictly follow the highest business ethics, which are above the already high standards given by Swiss, Hong Kong and US laws. These include the responsibility and privacy towards our clients as well as the guarantee of our employees health, working conditions, gender equality and pension scheme as well as social security. We are committed to maximise environmental sustainability in our working processes wherever possible. Because of the company s credibility and reliability, Gübelin Gem Lab s principles, analytical structures and processes are in high demand as other companies welcome the knowledge shared. As a result, the gem lab s quest for innovation, and efficient research and development of analytical technologies and procedures give rise to Gübelin Gem Lab as an expert role model in the industry. 1. A Gübelin Gem Lab gemmologist analysing an emerald with a microscope 2. The Gübelin Gem Lab Seal 3. The Gübelin Gem Lab was founded in A selection of sapphires from Sri Lanka and Madagascar 5. Raphael Gübelin, CEO of Gübelin Group 6. Dr. Daniel Nyfeler, managing director of Gübelin Gem Lab 7. Klemens Link, head of development at Gübelin Gem Lab Hallmark of quality To warrant and to continue the age-old traditions and values of the company, Gübelin Gem Lab has the Gübelin Gem Lab Seal, which functions as the company s hallmark of quality. Any document that has this seal of approval indicates the use of Gübelin Gem Lab s set of meritorious standards in the work employed to analyse the gemstones and to render a true and honest Gemmological Report. From the very beginning, Gübelin Gem Lab has always worked with the strictest professional principles and these 6 7 JNA AWARDS

54 HARI KRISHNA EXPORTS PVT LTD 1 Category: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CUTTING & POLISHING Country / Region: India Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd became one of the most trusted suppliers of polished diamonds in India for many reasons. Since its founding in 1992, the company has been offering a fixed- and fair-price policy for all its customers the first diamond manufacturer in India to do so, according to the company. This method proved to be effective for two reasons: It expedites the buying process and gives customers the confidence that what they are purchasing are of a high quality regardless of whether they bought the goods online or from a Hari Krishna staff. These customers come from at least 46 countries, with Hong Kong, China, the US and Dubai as the main distribution points. This strategy also inspires customer loyalty. Eighty percent of Hari Krishna s clients make repeat purchases 35 percent of which conduct their transactions online. While trade shows and promotional schemes help increase the company s customer base, the diamond manufacturer takes on a more holistic business approach. Asked how they plan to capture a bigger share of Asia s growing jewellery market, Hari Krishna said this can be accomplished by keeping our manufacturing technologies in line with the latest trends, motivating our employees to give their best, providing excellent training to our staff, consistently offering value-added propositions to our customers, and above all, contributing to the industry with Tan (body), Man (mind) and Dhan (wealth). In addition to its pioneering stable pricing policy, Hari Krishna has also earned the trust of business partners such as De Beers, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Dominion Diamond Corporation and Alrosa the world s major suppliers of rough diamonds for its unwavering 52 JNA AWARDS 2016

55 adherence to the highest ethical standards and transparent business practices. The manufacturer also serves as an authorised distributor of CanadaMark and Forevermark diamonds gems of exceptional quality and provenance due to its excellent track record and integrity in its corporate governance. At the 2016 JNA Awards, Hari Krishna is a finalist in the Manufacturer of the Year Cutting & Polishing category. It previously won two of JNA s most coveted honours Manufacturer of the Year Diamond Cutting & Polishing in 2015, and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year India in It was also a finalist in the Employer of the Year category in 2014 and An award is always a wonderful motivating tool for our employees to give their best. The recognition given by the management of a magazine like JNA is always a valuable asset, Hari Krishna said. The diamond manufacturer also won awards from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) including Exporter of the Year in the Cut and Polish category for 13 straight years, starting from It was also accorded two honours in by GJEPC, namely Best-Growing Company of the Year and Most Innovative Company of the Year. The diamond manufacturer has also met the highest ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards as established by the Responsible Jewellery Council. Hari Krishna has more than 6,000 employees, with US$875 million in revenue in Its products include round and fancy-cut diamonds in more than 10 different shapes, ranging from 0.01 carat to 15 carats. Outstanding investment returns The last five years proved to be a period of exceptional growth for Hari Krishna. Its revenue rose from US$247 million to US$875 million or up an astounding 254 percent. The company s customer base grew by 34 percent during the period. Further increases were also recorded in terms of yield at 1.90 percent, productivity (finished goods) at 3 percent, sales per employee at 22 percent, and sales per square metre from US$16,408 to US$20,015. The company s 2.72 percent profit growth may also be the highest recorded in the industry. Meanwhile, benefits from the company s installation of energy-saving equipment has yet to be determined. Hari Krishna also made sound investments to enhance operational efficiency and ensure its employees welfare. The company bought firefighting equipment for its office and manufacturing areas. The staff were provided with more than 46 types of facilities, including yoga equipment and a company kitchen serving healthy, hygienic and tasty meals. Sophisticated manufacturing tools Research and development is a major factor in the success of Hari Krishna s diamond cutting and polishing process, which has been reduced to seven days. Every piece of diamond jewellery is handled by one craftsman from rough polishing to the finished product based on the company s one-person, one-diamond policy. This gives customers the added assurance that each piece of diamond jewellery from Hari Krishna is handled with meticulous care and great attention to detail. A Hari Krishna X-ray equipment allows quality control of every diamond in all its forms, from rough to finished 2 JNA AWARDS

56 jewellery. Water jet lasers are used to minimise losses while cutting rough diamonds. Breakage is also reduced and colour is preserved. The diamonds are photographed and uploaded using 360-degree videographic equipment. The entire manufacturing process is carefully supervised using locally developed in-house software for tracking the products on the factory floor. The software makes assessments of every craftsman s efficiency, which helps the company avoid possible bottlenecks in productivity and profitability. Another sophisticated in-house tool is a specially designed calculator used to synergize production within standard commercially viable parameters. The company s computing resources are shared through Sarine cloud planning to enable heavier algorithmic processes. Even with all the sophisticated processes in place, Hari Krishna initially faced some challenges in encouraging its staff to adapt to new technologies. The need arose from several reasons: Evolving diamond cuts, specific customer preferences, and modifications in cutting techniques to meet rising expectations. Eventually, Hari Krishna s craftsmen managed to adjust to the demands of their jobs by meeting regularly and attending training and motivational programmes. Even seating arrangements were altered to encourage more communication and sharing of skills and knowledge among colleagues. Top management prioritises knowledge and skills-level upgrading for the staff. Apart from in-house training programmes on the usage of latest technologies, refresher courses are also organised to ensure that the proficiency of employees remain sharp for the company, Hari Krishna said. Responsible manufacturing Fully compliant with De Beers Best Practice Principles a set of ethical standards developed by De Beers to promote the highest business conduct in the diamond pipeline Hari Krishna ensures that its rough diamond purchases and polished sales conform with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, while procurement strictly follows the regulations of RJC. This means that Hari Krishna does not source untreated and synthetic diamonds, conflict diamonds and those that are of Zimbabwe origins. Beyond business policies and procedures, the diamond manufacturer goes out of its way to serve the community where it operates. Its guiding principle is that every stakeholder is a member of the Hari Krishna family. So far, the company has conducted blood donation camps in Surat and Mumbai, collecting more than 3,000 blood collection bottles for the beneficiaries. Food donation has also been made through various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have rehabilitation programmes for the aged, orphans, deaf and blind, and economically disadvantaged children among others. Hari Krishna regularly extends assistance to charitable foundation, SUPPORT, for the educational and rehabilitation needs of street children. Scholarships, free books and other education-related donations have also been made. Libraries for employees, their families and visitors, and senior citizens were also established in Surat and Mumbai. Employees are also given the opportunity to help environmental causes along with their families. The company has organised weekly clean-up programmes under the national movement, Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). More than 6,500 Hari Krishna employees and their loved ones have participated so far. 1. A piece of rough diamond 2. Hari Krishna celebrates its customers birthdays by hosting feeding programmes for disadvantaged communities 3. Company founders Savji Dholakiya, Ghanshyam Dholakiya, Himmat Dholakiya and Tulsi Dholakiya 3 54 JNA AWARDS 2016

57 HATTONS DIAMONDS 1 2 Category: E-TAILER OF THE YEAR Country / Region: Hong Kong 3 Hattons Diamonds is backed by a family that has been in the diamond and fine jewellery trade since the 1850s, and a family with a legacy of successful enterprises around the globe. Company co-founder Jay Jhaveri s father was a De Beers Sightholder since the 1970s, giving Hattons the unique leverage of long-standing family relationships with the world s largest cutters and polishers. Ajit Vaswani, Hattons Diamonds co-founder, hails from a family that has been active in international trade and distribution in Africa since Armed with this rich heritage of knowledge and experience, Hattons offers high-quality GIA-graded diamonds and custom jewellery settings to clients through an online-to-offline boutique-style of business. The e-tailer s target market are today s luxury clients who are connected, tech-savvy, discerning and better informed than ever before. Hattons business model is simple and tailored for each individual client, who can place orders online, with an option to inspect and collect in Hattons showroom, or request for shipment. After a 15 percent deposit on order placement, the balance is payable on inspection and collection. The deposit is also guaranteed to be refundable or may be applied to another purchase. Hattons has supply agreements with the world s largest diamond manufacturers, keeping in regular contact with them to understand and capitalise on market trends, as well as share information on Hattons clients preferences. Being a boutique diamond store, Hattons maximises the benefits of public relations in order to reach out to its target audience. The company has received coverage in a number of leading Chinese and English publications, as well as in digital platforms, including Apple Daily, China JNA AWARDS

58 In addition, all Hattons staff sign non-disclosure agreements as part of their employment contracts to guarantee customer privacy and safety. Hattons also conducts masterclasses called The Art & Science of Valuing Diamonds for select groups of clients. The workshop includes detailed presentations on diamond history, diamond characteristics, a clear and concise interpretation and understanding of GIA grading reports and valuation benchmarks, and a diamond viewing session. This approach gives clients the opportunity to engage with Hattons on a personal level, and has resulted in rapid word-of-mouth referrals and repeat purchases from more than a quarter of its clients. Daily News, Ming Pao, Capital Magazine, South China Morning Post, Gafencu, HK Tatler, RTHK and TVB Jade. Hattons is also active in social media (Facebook.com/ hattons.co), luxury goods and jewellery industry events, workshops targeted at high-net-worth clients and private/ investment bankers, sponsorships and direct marketing to build trust and word-of-mouth referrals. Most of all, Hattons prides itself on being completely transparent about the diamonds and jewellery that clients purchase from its store. The company exerts extra effort to educate clients about investing in GIAcertified diamonds, in building their clients trust and in giving them peace of mind. Promoting diamonds as an alternative store of wealth and backing up its value proposition with highly competitive prices up to 70 percent lower than high-street retail prices are among the reasons why clients ultimately purchase from Hattons. No one has ever spent so much time patiently explaining to me the finer points of buying a diamond, said one client on social media. 4 Clients also appreciate what they call The Hattons Promise diamonds straight from the source. This assures clients that their diamonds are conflict-free and ethically sourced, building their confidence in the product. Giving back to the community As part of Hattons corporate social responsibility and commitment to the Hong Kong community, the company regularly sponsors causes in child education and wellness. Hattons was the Peak Sponsor of the HUB Charity Ball for under-privileged children in October 2015, helping the charity to raise a record HK$1.3 million (US$168,000) by donating a diamond ring worth HK$230,000 (about US$30,000). Hattons website has a comprehensive knowledge base about diamonds, and features an advanced search system for investment-grade gems. For transparency, the Hattons website has detailed product descriptions, GIA reports, online videos and photos of the actual stone. Client education is one of the cornerstones of Hattons philosophy. Total customer satisfaction is maintained through a sophisticated and secure customer relationship management system, which tracks clients purchase behaviours, engaging them with new products that match their preferences. All client data is encrypted and securely stored in the company s servers, and the company does not retain any credit card information JNA AWARDS 2016

59 Hattons also proudly sponsored the Youth Diabetes Action Spring Fling Ball in April 2016 to aid those suffering from juvenile diabetes and their families. Hattons HK$220,000 (US$28,000) donation of a DIF diamond raised about HK$751,000 (about US$97,000) for the organisation. Human resources At the helm of Hattons are company Co-CEOs Jay Jhaveri and Ajit Vaswani. Jay is a tech entrepreneur in Hong Kong and a sixthgeneration Jhaveri whose family has been engaged in the fine jewellery business since the 1850s. Like many of his forebearers, he is a Jain an affluent religious minority from India making up a majority of the diamond trading elites of the world. An MBA graduate of the London Business School, Jay entered the IT profession in the late 1980s and has lived and worked in Hong Kong for most of his adult life. Ajit is the managing director of a successful distribution company based in Hong Kong, and a fourth-generation Vaswani businessman from a family of traders and distributors. Ajit has over a decade of experience in managing commodity businesses across the globe including Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and as a distributor of major consumer brands such as Coca- Cola and Panasonic in Africa. Educated in Africa, India and the UK, Ajit studied in the prestigious King s College London and received his Executive MBA from the London Business School. Jay and Ajit have a very closely-knit team of employees, where ideas flow freely regardless of hierarchy. Opinions are valued in daily scrum meetings as they determine goals, review achievements, discuss any issues that require resolution and support each other. They have monthly team lunches to encourage an atmosphere of conviviality and openness. They also offer an employee stock option plan to create a sense of ownership and greater involvement with Hattons. This atmosphere of transparency, honesty and integrity within the Hattons team translates well into a positive experience for each Hattons client. This year, the JNA Awards is shining the spotlight on Hattons as one of the honourees in the E-Tailer of the Year category, not only for its comprehensive e-commerce website, but for the luxurious online and offline experience that inspires trust and confidence in its brand. For Hattons in particular, the award is more than just an endorsement of its business model and core brand values of quality, honesty, integrity and transparency it also motivates the company to continually enhance its client experience and product offering through innovation and best practices. 1. Every piece of Hattons Diamonds jewellery stands for quality, transparency and heritage 2. A 25-carat D-colour, flawless diamond from the Hattons Fire Collection 3. Hattons pink diamonds 4. Hattons Diamonds Co-CEOs Ajit J. Vaswani, left, and Jay Jhaveri 5. Hattons Diamonds jewellery collection 6. Hattons Diamonds showcases its premium collection in Hong Kong 7. Hattons Diamonds management with actress Heather Graham at the HUB Charity gala dinner in Hong Kong in October Hattons Diamonds has made consumer education a vital part of its growth strategy JNA AWARDS

60 HIERSUN INDUSTRIAL CO LTD 1 Category: BRAND OF THE YEAR RETAIL Country / Region: China Brand Name: I Do 2 Hiersun Industrial Co Ltd s flagship brand is appropriately called I Do. It is all about the design, production and retail of diamond rings for life-altering occasions, from marriage proposals and engagements to weddings and anniversaries. The brand s market positioning specifically targets couples who wish to express their hearts desires before, during and after their nuptials. Building a corporate culture centred on lifelong commitment and unswerving loyalty, I Do offers products and a customer experience that reflect the 58 JNA AWARDS 2016

61 3 significance that those words inspire. This full package makes us stand out in the market, Hiersun said. This corporate ideal is shared among Hiersun s 1,700 employees across 470 stores in mainland China, and is reflected in the kind of service and brand value they provide. With this ideal in place, the company was able to generate US$217 million in revenue in I Do connects emotionally with its customers. It is a brand that is associated with warmth and a life filled with love and beauty. We go beyond the positive attributes of our products; we build an emotional bond with our clients, Hiersun said. Irreplaceable brand More than nurturing the romance and emotional values associated with wedding vows, Hiersun s I Do brand is celebrating the universal feeling of being in love by working with several world-renowned designers who can best combine artistry and passion with modern technology. This is then implemented using creative methods of entertainment, emotional, experience and art marketing. Like any partnership that involves human emotions, Hiersun realises the importance of delighting and thrilling its customers in order to build trust and loyalty. To build brand loyalty, what s most important is to provide customers with the perfect brand experience. We should be able to bond with the public emotionally and make them trust the brand, said the jeweller. By total customer experience, Hiersun means meeting its customers every need with products and services that are close to perfection. It s about a fully realised design, one with perfect detailing and the finest craftsmanship, delivered with impeccable service. Every step of the journey is an integral part of the customer experience, Hiersun continued. Every single interaction with the client is important. Taking it to a higher level The Chinese clientele of I Do has developed an affinity for the brand within 10 years since it was introduced. Since then, it has remained the preferred brand whenever the occasion to express one s affection through diamond jewellery arises, keeping a consistent share of the market in terms of growth and awareness. In fact, for five consecutive years, sales exceeded targets by up to 20 percent. Going into 2015, the brand gained momentum especially when Hiersun invested more than RMB 100 million (about US$15 million) around the I Do & Huan Art Life Space in Shanghai. International artists were tapped to build the brand, followed by the introduction of a business model combining the arts, business and lifestyle that elevates its brand image even further. 4 During the same year, Hiersun also launched the I Do Anniversary Collection. The launch was supported by an advertising campaign that involved the expertise of one of Taiwan s sought-after advertising directors, Gingzim Lo. The team created three advertising materials to play up the concept of emotion from different JNA AWARDS

62 perspectives, anchored in the idea that there is a kind of happiness called giving. Complementing the advertising plan was a creative strategy that used several blockbuster films in showcasing the brand s customised celebrity wedding rings and exclusive anniversary rings. I Do shot a series of three short romantic TV commercials, which was promoted through the extensive use of social media, particularly the widely popular WeChat. Portals and microblogs were also utilised to increase the participation and engagement of the digital community. By maximising our social media outreach, keeping tabs on emerging trends and stepping up our emotional branding strategy, we re able to win over our target audience, Hiersun explained. In our communications strategy, I Do uses various creative approaches for different social media platforms to maximise the impact of the brand. It also uses social media to strengthen the ties between the brand and its fan base, giving its followers one more reason to be loyal to I Do. I Do is poised to produce more movie and TV projects that appeal to the urban crowd. Music and art will also be integrated into the brand-building campaign with the ultimate goal of building a stronger emotional connection with consumers. Corporate governance Hiersun keeps its operations professional and maintains a sustainable business through corporate governance best practices. Believing that engaged and motivated employees are productive employees, the company has embedded its do it with heart concept on its corporate culture. One of Hiersun s initiatives is an employee welfare programme called 7-Day Wedding Anniversary Leave. It has also put into place flexible work arrangements to help its employees achieve family-work balance, and ultimately, improve staff effectiveness and productivity. Outside of the office walls, Hiersun also plays an important role in community development, with Hiersun Chairman Li Houlin himself establishing the I Do Foundation with his personal funding. To date, the foundation has assisted more than 26,000 children with their educational needs, and medical and psychological care among others. Rewards for excellence Hiersun Industrial Co Ltd has been the recipient of several awards in the past. It has received the ENAwards: Best Entertainment Marketing of the Shanghai International Film Festival for five straight years. It was also honoured with several awards in 2015, including the 2015 Outstanding Jewelry Enterprise of China, Enterprise Credit Evaluation AAA Grade, China Excellent Enterprise for Quality and Service Integrity, and other esteemed accolades. In 2016, Hiersun is named one of the Honourees in the Brand of the Year Retail category of the 2016 JNA Awards, a distinction that validates the jeweller s impressive performance through its innovative retail brand, I Do. Hiersun said, Being named one of the finalists in the prestigious JNA Awards is of great significance for I Do. This distinction does not only recognise the hard work and commitment that the entire team has put into I Do, it also serves as a tremendous incentive for the brand to further push the envelope of innovation and excellence. This honour verifies the high standard of our work and our passion for the jewellery business. We will continue this momentum and further inspire our customers with our special I Do moments. 1. The I Do & Huan Art Life Space in Shanghai is described as the world s first modern art palace 2. Hiersun Anniversary diamond rings. From left: Tower, Time, Forever and Memory 3. Hiersun Chairman Li Houlin s I Do Foundation has extended assistance to more than 26,000 children who needed educational support, and medical and psychological care 4. Hiersun Chairman Li Houlin 5. One of I Do s Beijing boutiques 6. A Hiersun craftsman gives the finishing touches to a bridal ring JNA AWARDS 2016

63 KAPU GEMS 1 Category: OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR INDIA Country / Region: India India s gemstone and jewellery industry faces very stiff competition in the region, but Kapu Gems, renowned as one of the world s major manufacturers of flawless diamonds, is helping keep the sparkle at home. Leveraging its commanding presence online and occupying a solid position in offline marketing, the diamond manufacturer is among India s prized jewels. India has risen to be a leading player in the global jewellery market, and has emerged as one of the world s largest manufacturers of diamonds, Kapu Gems declared, adding that the company has further raised the profile of the Make in India brand. India s gemstone and jewellery sector is also getting a boost from Kapu Gems active participation in trade exhibitions held in major cities around the world A Responsible Jewellery Council-certified company, Kapu Gems is one of the largest manufacturers of diamonds weighing 30 points to 10 carats and above, in round and fancy shapes, and in virtually all clarity grades (Flawless to SI2) and colours (D to K). While it conducts business strongly over the Internet, Kapu Gems also does direct selling offline through customer relationship marketing to a client JNA AWARDS

64 5 6 base comprising of more than a thousand jewellery retailers, manufacturers and dealers across India, and more than 33 countries worldwide. These clients are among the leaders in their respective markets. Being recognised as a finalist in the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year India category of the 2016 JNA Awards has further motivated Kapu Gems to excel in the world of diamond manufacturing and marketing. It is always heart-warming when a leading body of the industry like the JNA Awards recognises one s achievements, Kapu Gems stated. The JNA Awards motivates and encourages participating companies to attain even higher standards in their product quality and service levels. Global market triumph Kapu Gems takes its role seriously as a reputable manufacturer of large-sized diamonds. Taking pride in its value-added services, the diamond manufacturer procures rough goods directly from trusted mining companies and secondary sources. Founded in 1994, Kapu Gems manages to keep its main workforce into a lean but efficient number of less than a thousand highly trained employees. The company s headquarters is situated in Mumbai, with major branches in Hong Kong, Dubai and Antwerp. In 2015, the company had a sales turnover of US$185 million. The company generates 51 percent of its annual revenue from the Far East, with 23 percent coming from the US and Canada, 19 percent from Asia and the UAE, 6 percent from Europe, and 1 percent from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries combined. Another growth driver is the surge in the company s customer base. It gained more than 1,500 customers from October 2014 to 2016 an increase of more than 45 percent. Thriving online transactions India is no stranger to digital technology and innovation, and Kapu Gems is one convincing evidence of this fact. Through its website ( and mobile applications, the manufacturer gives its customers the option to choose and purchase diamonds from a wide selection of quality polished goods with ease. Crisp digital images help make the selection process easier, with an option for computerised matched pairs and access to exclusive designer diamond layouts. As an extended service, Kapu Gems has the capability to synchronise its website with its customers to help the latter manage an organised inventory system. Online marketing is just as aggressive as Kapu Gems offline placements. There is always room for out-ofthe-box and cutting edge branding campaigns and promotional schemes, especially during peak seasons like Valentine s Day. Kapu Gems supports these with monthly ers for new and exclusive products and presentations. Human-centric investments The human element will always be at the core of Kapu Gems operations, keeping in mind its critical role as a responsible employer, a conscientious corporate citizen and a vanguard of environmental preservation. In the workplace, Kapu Gems keeps its staff motivated at all times, especially during periods of economic 62 JNA AWARDS 2016

65 decline. The company believes in the benefits of meditation and vipasanna, sharing its philosophy with employees through special practice sessions. Those who are more physically inclined have the option to participate in various sporting activities organised by the company, such as cricket and volleyball. Our employees have been serving as the backbone of our success, and it is always a privilege to have such a strong support at our base, Kapu Gems said. To demonstrate its appreciation of the employees dedication to hard work, the company provides them with knowledge and skills training to keep them updated with industry developments and innovations, as well as motivate them to become dynamic forces at work, and in their communities and homes. In our journey so far, we have learned very important lessons emanating from numerous experiences that the company has encountered through the years. Teamwork, we believe, is the tried-and-tested method to success. Genuine collective effort makes a big difference, Kapu Gems said. We discovered that there is true strength in coming up with the right strategies and proper planning that will yield the desired results if executed in the most efficient and effective manner. As an industry player, Kapu Gems is firm in its stand against unethical business practices. It also staunchly believes that there should be no room for money laundering activities within the industry. On a broader civic scope, the company also shuns child labour in any form. On the technical aspect of its operations, Kapu Gems has been investing in an IT infrastructure that ensures high-level data security handling and storage for its clients and stakeholders. The company s green practices are likewise paying off. Its cool and dry air compression systems deliver two advantages: Reduced environmental impact and improved productivity. Because of this efficiency in production, Kapu Gems is able to bring down diamond weight loss and breakage to a minimum. It may take some time before the world acknowledges our strength in our operations, but we know that we are there because we have a clear and compelling vision of our goals, Kapu Gems concluded. 1. Round brilliant-cut diamond from Kapu Gems & 4. Kapu Gems partners Diyal Vaghani, Raju K. Vaghani and Kalpesh Vaghani 5. A Kapu Gems employee works on a piece of roughly cut diamond 6. A worker inspects a diamond using a stereomicroscope 7. The façade of one of Kapu Gems facilities 8. One of Kapu Gems diamond polishing facilities 9. Kapu Gems senior management team JNA AWARDS

66 KELA 1 Category: OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR GREATER CHINA Country / Region: China 2 Consistently growing its business since its rise to prominence in 2007, Shanghai Kela Commercial Trading Co Ltd (KELA) has gained significant attention from the JNA Awards. In 2016, KELA is named one of the honourees in the Awards Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China category. The company s strong financial performance, firm customer acceptance, highquality products that KELA claims can last a lifetime, and its valuable contributions to the competitive Asian jewellery industry all contribute to its well-deserved recognition. The JNA Awards is the top international awards programme hosted by Asia s jewellery industry. It is known for its fair, rigorous and high-transparency evaluation method, KELA stated. This recognition affirms our outstanding performance in the industry and our contribution to the Asian jewellery industry. It is a powerful proof of KELA s brand strength. It also shows that KELA occupies an important position in Asia and the international jewellery market. KELA received the E-tailer of the Year accolade at the 2015 JNA Awards. From the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, KELA was ranked No. 1 in the 2015 Annual Top 10 Import Volume Growth in Diamonds. KELA was also part of the 2015 China Franchise Top 10 Most 64 JNA AWARDS 2016

67 Popular Brand awards. Truly, KELA shows no signs of slowing down as it captures strategic markets. KELA s collaboration with global designers and suppliers has given the company a boost in its product research and development efforts. Through these partnerships, the company successfully launched two homeomorphism natural diamond drills called Perfect Couple and Shining Lights. Fusing online-offline operations As a relatively young player in the jewellery industry, KELA uniquely positions itself as a top online jewellery store, successfully utilising the sale of its jewellery through its online platforms. Although its online business makes KELA China s largest online jewellery retailer, the company also maintains an impressive number of brickand-mortar stores spread throughout key regions. Expanding rapidly with tens of millions of dollars of investment from Tencent, a main player in the Chinese online economy, KELA boasts an exclusive partnership with the online giant. Moreover, KELA cleverly partnered with some of the world s largest diamond suppliers and appraisal institutions. Through these collaborations, the brand is scaling new heights. KELA is the only jewellery business that brings outstanding user-experiences to its customers while making use of unique marketing methods. How did this relatively young upstart accomplish this? By wisely fusing its online presence with the more traditional offline business. 3 In 2015, KELA s brand awareness increased by 200 percent. Utilising fashion-forward and interactive blogs, entertainment marketing methods, social networks and even television shows, KELA strategically developed its profile to appeal to the younger and more Internetsavvy generation to the point of garnering 100 million readers in one online forum alone. KELA gained mileage and exposure in various viral marketing sites by partnering with pioneers in marketing strategies in the entertainment industry such as Reach Glory, which has a vast influence on the international entertainment scene. Because of this plan of action, KELA remains relevant to its customers. It is worthy to note that KELA s range of elegant collections primarily appeals to women who indulge in beautiful pieces, have a strong personal style and are partial to quality. 4 The buying experience Shoppers today largely rely on their mobile devices for product research before making buying decisions. Information, personal recommendation and expert advice or reviews are crucial to their final purchase decision. KELA s online approach meets this need, JNA AWARDS

68 adding more value to its marketing tactics. It bridges the gap between its online platforms and brick-andmortar shops. The e-tailer uses its digital platform to share information, establish its brand identity and enhance customer relationships. Customers online experiences lead them to KELA s upscale physical stores. Once inside the brightly lit boutiques, clients see the glittering merchandise up close. This distinctive shopping concept enhances customers in-store shopping experiences. In addition to highlighting the beauty of its collections, KELA offers competitive pricing, and knowledgeable and friendly service. It is noteworthy that KELA s customers no longer wait for traditional celebrations or special occasions to purchase jewellery; their generosity, which translates to purchases that are a salute to love and friendship, is not confined to a particular season or key life events. KELA s collection features an array of distinctive fine jewellery: Plain gold creations, wedding rings, delicate pendants, diamond rings for all occasions, and bespoke or personalised pieces for discerning customers. With an ever-increasing number of loyal and supportive patrons, KELA secures and closely guards its client information. The e-tailer s electronic data is encrypted, and no information from the company s database is ever disclosed. Through regular information security training and testing, and partnerships with insurance companies, KELA guarantees that the confidentiality of its customers transactions and personal information is safe. Investing in people Caring and working closely with its people is another key priority for KELA. Service, commitment and business knowledge are valuable qualities for its employees to possess since to create, market and sell diamond jewellery is never a one-man operation. Consequently, KELA attaches great importance to the cultivation of such talents. Contributions by the hardworking staff to the company are valued and ultimately rewarded. In 2016, KELA made substantial investments in the training and further development of its senior management staff. This resulted in the standardisation of management procedures as well as the enhancement of the company s operating efficiency. The enterprise s other goals included inspiring employee engagement and mobilising their passion and sense of purpose in line with the company s overall vision. Training sessions were proven to be effective during popular sales and shopping events, where the flow of business is 10 times more than what the workforce normally experiences in a single regular day of operations. At one point, even after 24 hours of nonstop sales, top-quality service was successfully and consistently delivered to customers by frontline and back-office staff. In addition, total sales increased so significantly that KELA was awarded and ranked No. 1 in total sales for the diamond category. The e-tailer received this recognition for four consecutive years. New systems are regularly implemented by KELA to support its rapid growth, thus solidifying its position as a key player in the jewellery industry. Furthermore, KELA is a constant recipient of prestigious awards and stamps of approval from the industry itself, demonstrating the e-tailer s exemplary market leadership. These victories are pivotal in the company s history and future plans. 1. One of KELA s opulent boutiques in China 2. Perfect Love couple ring set by KELA 3. Diamonds polished to perfection are used by KELA in its collections 4. KELA s posh showroom in Suzhou 5. KELA CEO Michael Cao 6. Hong Wei, chief marketing officer of KELA 7. Li Hai, chief operating officer of KELA 8. Zhang Chen, general manager of KELA JNA AWARDS 2016

69 KGK JEWELLERY MFG LTD 1 2 Categories: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR JEWELLERY OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR GREATER CHINA Country / Region: Hong Kong 3 KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd is a gemstone and jewellery industry heavyweight with a rich heritage and history behind it. It belongs to a global conglomerate, KGK Group, which traces its roots to Established 111 years ago by the Kothari family of Jaipur, India, the group, a pioneer in the world of precious stones, has been sourcing, manufacturing and distributing diamonds, coloured gemstones and jewellery for decades. It is a De Beers Sightholder, an Alrosa Alliance partner and a Rio Tinto Select Diamantaire, with diamond manufacturing units in India, South Africa, Botswana and Russia. The group has gemstone manufacturing operations in India and Thailand, and jewellery production in China, Hong Kong and India. With its evolution and growth into a mines-to-brands enterprise, the company employs 12,000 people worldwide. Its fl agship company KGK Diamonds (HK) Ltd oversees the sales and distribution of diamonds to Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Taipei. The manufacturer takes pride in contributing to the rising popularity of Greater China as the home to some of the world s best jewellery and gemstone companies, pointing out to its pro-active approach, fi nancial stability and revenue-generation model as the contributing factors. Its jewellery collections remain competitive in the global market because of their exceptional quality and designs. Our ultimate objective is to meet the ever-changing requirements of our customers, which inspires our design studios across the globe to push the envelope of creativity. Our excellent product fi nish and focused customer sales JNA AWARDS

70 4 services are the key differentiating factors that encourage our customers to make repeat purchases and orders, according to Sanjay Kothari, vice chairman of KGK Group. Global operation KGK manufactures and designs diamond and gemset jewellery in gold, platinum and silver mainly in Hong Kong, China, India and Thailand. Gemstone cutting and polishing are done in the company s facilities in India, South Africa, Russia and Botswana. The finished products categorised into entry-level, mid-level and high-end luxury are then distributed for retail under the brand, Entice, in India and Hong Kong. OEM and ODM jewellery collections are exported and sold for wholesale to prominent brands in the US, Australia, Europe, India, China, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East. Responding to the global demand for gemstonestudded jewellery, KGK manages to supply these goods with an assurance of quality, on-time delivery, professional after-sales services, as well as marketing and sales support for its B2B partners. More than 4,000 jewellery designs are produced monthly, hitting an impressive 35 percent ratio among customers. From these designs, about 42,000 pieces are manufactured every month as a result of multiple orders. While KGK is experiencing tremendous response from its B2B and B2C clients from across the globe, there is still pressure to sustain growth, especially due to the dictates of the fast-paced fashion market. Nevertheless, KGK believes that speed should not compromise true craftsmanship when designing fine jewellery creations. Most jewellery lovers and connoisseurs appreciate detailed workmanship and intricate designs. However, we do understand the importance of combining stateof-the-art machinery with human skills, creativity and experience, Kothari said. This is why the company manufactures both hand-crafted and machine-made jewellery especially for discerning clients who give equal attention to design excellence regardless of price. The next challenge for KGK is how to address the cultural difference of its broad and diverse customer base. As such, the company tries to adapt to the local attributes of each market where it is present by hiring top talent for a more efficient service. Smart investments KGK has made serious investments in process modifications, which helped reduce manufacturing costs and cycle times by 40 percent. Consequently, productivity increased by 25 percent even without additional manpower. The investments were made on the company s digitization, machinery upgrades and software installations. Through the digitization of manufacturing units, live data touch-screens, bar codes and biometric systems were installed to enhance real-time communication between workers and managers; reduce overhead costs of printing on paper; and improve overall understanding of the products. The upgraded machinery included a Yubao CAM Machine responsible for increased production efficiency. The new BIS Software allowed management to scan through real-time information, analyse production data and KPIs, make better comparative data and consolidate financials. Because of these installations, KGK was able to endure the recession and increased manufacturing yield by 25 percent. Business revenue rose by 49 percent from US$162 million to US$242 million in the last five years. There were also significant savings on electricity. Sparkling collections KGK s successful venture into technological innovation has yielded remarkable results in terms of new product creations. One of the company s hottest lines is the Workwear Jewelry for entry-level customers comprising professional women. Other collections include the classic Crown Rubellite, which used KGK s patented layering technique, and the Exotic Paraiba. The Flyer Fit designer engagement and wedding rings are also sought-after KGK lines that come with lifetime warranties and appraisal certificates. While KGK s products are strategically divided into different categories for pricing purposes, the company further made revolutionary decisions to keep its market competitiveness. Since Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen are the traditional major marketplaces for certified goods, the company decided to centralise its diamond operations in Shanghai. As a result, the company was able to further reduce its prices by 2 percent to 3 percent while speeding up delivery time. At the same time, KGK likewise maximised 68 JNA AWARDS 2016

71 the use of its e-commerce platform via its website where clients from Greater China can have convenient access to product inventories. This platform is designed to be mobile-friendly with a WeChat version, which received an overwhelming response from customers. Brand value KGK s efficient manpower management is another area that the company is proud of. Because of its stringent safety measures within its facilities, the company recorded zero accidents for several years, clearing all Best Practice Principles (BPP) and corporate social responsibility audits without any violations. For its manufacturing processes and quality products, KGK received several recognitions: ISO certification for quality in manufacturing; National Jewellery Awards 2015 for Best Store of the Year; The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards for Outstanding Jewellery Manufacturer 1st Runner Up; and Retail Jeweller India Awards 2015 for Best Diamond Jewellery of the Year. KGK s undeniable business superiority has also earned for the company recognition in two categories at the 2016 JNA Awards: Manufacturer of the Year Jewellery, and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China. It is truly an honour to be recognised as one of the JNA Awards top finalists. This will definitely give us internal and external PR opportunities, and gain for us a degree of popularity among our existing customers and peers in the industry. It raises our credibility, which we expect to turn into augmented brand value. On the other hand, this nomination also comes to us as a challenge and inspires us to perform more responsibly, with utmost integrity, and be more creative and innovative to achieve better results year on year, Kothari said. Ethical integrity Sourcing its own diamonds and gemstones entails a big responsibility both in business and in the environment. Thus, KGK makes sure that it sources only from responsible parties. Its diamonds are from De Beers, Alrosa and Rio Tinto. Gemstones come from its mines and other industry leaders like Gemfields. All sources are BPP-compliant and Responsible Jewellery Council-certified. Customers and partners can rest assured that KGK and its employees abide by a strict Code of Conduct that avoids corruption, fraud and other irregularities in any form of transaction. Just as customer satisfaction is a priority, KGK also wants to make sure that its employees are happy and fulfilled. In addition to providing a safe and secure workplace, the company also gives its employees the opportunity to grow professionally through training programmes. The gemstone and jewellery manufacturer observes transparent policies, work procedures and job responsibilities to ensure a smooth and healthy work environment. Customer information is kept confidential and secure using sophisticated software programs. An audit report containing KGK s best practices shows that the company received the highest score in environmental health and safety, fire protection, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, working hours, wages and compensation, and welfare. The report also cleared KGK of any cases of underage labour, forced and prison labour discrimination, and unfair disciplinary practices. Externally, KGK endeavours in philanthropic programmes that help the less fortunate in communities where it operates. One of those who receive the most support from KGK is India. The Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (BMCHRC) in Jaipur, the only super specialty cancer treatment hospital in North India, receives funding from KGK. In Rajasthan, over 22,000 students receive educational assistance from KGK through the non-profit, Institute SS Jain Subodh Shiksha Samiti. Aside from charitable activities, KGK also helps in preservation projects. The company was instrumental in the restoration of Jal Mahal (Water Palace), a Mughalera royal palace in Jaipur. 1. Choker with fancy-cut diamonds from Entice s Wedding Orchid Collection 2. Classic diamond ring from Entice s Sunshine Collection 3. Entice tassel earrings with a diamond stud and tassels with rubies, blue sapphires and emerald drops 4. KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd s facility in China 5. A designer from KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd hand-draws a new jewellery piece 5 JNA AWARDS

72 KIRAN GEMS PVT LTD 1 Category: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CUTTING & POLISHING Country / Region: India Kiran Gems has owned the position of being the world s largest manufacturer of diamonds, and arguably so. It markets naturally polished diamonds to over 2,600 customers from more than 35 countries. Sales are facilitated through its offices in India, China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Belgium and the US. It also receives B2B orders through its website and other e-commerce portals, affirming its capability of supplying polished goods in every shape, size and clarity grade. With large quantities being delivered to customers every month, mostly repeat orders, Kiran Gems manages to keep its products quality and service integrity intact using its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. This is augmented by the company s customised tools and innovative management style that creates harmony between man and machine, resulting in optimal productivity. Its customer segments comprise jewellery manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and luxury watch manufacturers. Established in 1985, the diamond manufacturer has set its sights towards a wider and stronger market presence. Kiran Gems is already a dominant player in the Asian market. In order to keep on growing, the company has 70 JNA AWARDS 2016

73 2 3 increased its reach by opening new offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as augmenting its team strength in India and Hong Kong, Kiran Gems said. Besides, the company already uses its website, com, widely to reach customers in the Pan-Asia region, and undertakes marketing and promotional activities in all the key Asian markets throughout the year. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, India s foremost industry association, has recognised Kiran Gems for eight straight years as a 1st Rank Company of Cut & Polished Diamonds. Its contemporaries in the industry belonging to the Federation of Indian Export Organisations likewise gave the diamond specialist the Niryat Shree Award. For 2016, Kiran Gems is also recognised as one of the finalists in the Manufacturer of the Year Cutting & Polishing category of the JNA Awards. An award from JNA would be another feather in the cap for Kiran Gems. Such awards will put companies and the great work that they do in the limelight, and subsequently, drive up industry standards, Kiran Gems said about its JNA Awards recognition. Kaizen-inspired operation Being a frontrunner in the diamond jewellery industry in the era of modern technology is indeed a feat that Kiran Gems takes pride in. The key is to constantly look for ways to always do better, from the planning and cutting to the polishing and marketing of remarkably manufactured diamonds. This is the Kaizen philosophy of business that Kiran Gems adopts. Kiran Gems has invested heavily in state-of-the-art manufacturing units that enable the company to deliver flexible and precision cuts, further increasing output by about 10 percent to 12 percent. This cutting-edge technology has allowed the company to provide cut and polished diamonds according to the detailed requirements of every customer, be it about shape, size, colour or clarity. More recently, the diamond specialist has added a new 200,000-square-foot factory and office space in Surat. The new premises house the latest state-of-theart planning and cutting facilities for all kinds of rough diamonds, which are further distributed for polishing in the specialised and dedicated polishing units across Ahmedabad and Surat. The new space can also seat more than 10,000 diamond artisans. To make things more vibrant in the manufacturing process, Kiran Gems engages its various units to healthy internal competitions. Eventually, the efficient combination of human workforce and technology has yielded positive outcomes for the company. Revenue in 2015 rose by 23 percent. The Kaizen philosophy has indeed been working for Kiran Gems in terms of cultivating synergy between people and technology. However, being on top of the industry has left the company with the burden of raising the benchmark it has set even higher if it wants to keep its position. Since the last couple of years, we faced challenges in terms of subdued demands at the consumer level, and more changes and innovation happened in the diamond jewellery retail and manufacturing levels. Kiran Gems customers were modernising and expanding their businesses. To facilitate growth, Kiran Gems raised its benchmarks and adopted new innovative techniques, said Kiran Gems. While the company recognises the high standard it has created for itself within the industry, Kiran Gems took the challenge by creating streamlined solutions that involve continuous use of technology, staff training, adjustments in sales distribution and new services. In effect, Kiran Gems further cultivated a culture of constant innovation. Market research teams, whose task is to look for new and better drivers for improvements, were created comprising of highly skilled production expert employees with problem-solving abilities. By the end of the research, the teams came up with three important recommendations: Conduct trainings like periodic grading seminars; adopt more sophisticated technology for upgrading purposes such as the replacement of red laser with green; and improve the work process, particularly in the manufacturing of polishing tools, to lessen the company s dependency on third-party suppliers. JNA AWARDS

74 To stay within ethical and responsible standards, Kiran Gems works only with reputable mining companies in sourcing rough diamonds. The company polished over five million carats of rough diamonds sourced from De Beers, Alrosa and Rio Tinto among others. To reduce the manufacturing process impact on the environment and raw material usage, the company utilises renewable energy. As a result of these recommendations, the productivity of each worker increased by about 30 percent to 40 percent. The number of customers likewise grew by 21 percent through the help of employees enhanced engagement with customers, introduction of new product categories and various promotional activities. Effective marketing and public relations campaigns improved brand awareness among customers. Corporate governance Powered by a talent-laden workforce, Kiran Gems is aware of its responsibilities as a global entity. The company consciously operates according to fundamental industry laws and best practices across all its business functions. Transparency in pricing is carried out by Kiran Gems one-price policy for certified diamonds to give customers a convenient purchase experience, as well as the confidence that they are getting the best price for all products at the same high standard of quality. Because of this policy, transaction time for each customer became significantly faster. The purity of Kiran Gems natural diamonds is preserved from manufacturing to sales. This is made possible by the company s IIDGR Automated Melee Screening machine installed in all its diamond sales offices across the globe. This machine separates natural diamonds from non-natural ones to ensure that every single packet of diamonds sold is thoroughly checked. 4 On the corporate social responsibility front, Kiran Gems incorporates the triple bottomline philosophy people, planet and profit into its core business strategy and philanthropy. Scholarship grants come with provisions for food and lodging facilities for students at costs lower than prevailing rates. Medical support is extended to those in need, from eye operations to cancer treatments. The company s annual drive for blood donation proved to be a success. Other community services provided by Kiran Gems include donations to organisers of marathons for the benefit of multiple social upliftment initiatives; the adoption of Bhojpara Village for senior citizens; and financial support for Bhojanalaya at the S.D. Lakhani Community Centre for Senior Citizens and Samuh Lagna in Surat. The diamond manufacturer also donated two acres of land to some underprivileged villages to be used for infrastructure development. 1. Kiran Gems senior executives and staff take part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), a nationwide cleanliness drive initiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 2. Façade of Kiran Gems factory in Surat, India 3. One of Kiran Gems diamond sorting facilities 4. Employees inspect a diamond prior to bruiting. Advanced planning is vital to reducing wastage from cutting and polishing 5. Vallabhai Patel, chairman of Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd 6. Mavji S. Patel, managing director of Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd 7. Dinesh Lakhani, director of Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd 8. Rajesh Lakhani, director of Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd JNA AWARDS 2016

75 PANDORA PRODUCTION CO LTD 1 Category: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR JEWELLERY Country / Region: Thailand 2 The auspicious roots of Thailand s PANDORA Production Co Ltd (PPT) can be traced back to the PANDORA Group, which was established in Copenhagen, Denmark in PPT started as a humble talent pool for the jewellery brand, and has since then developed to become Thailand s biggest manufacturer of fine jewellery. Out of the group s more than 16,000 employees worldwide, about 11,000 are stationed in PPT in Gemopolis in Bangkok. Through PPT s artistic command and inventive craftsmanship, PANDORA has been acknowledged as the affordable luxury jewellery brand in contemporary designs for women around the world. The company utilises the most reliable modern production facilities and techniques, artfully combining these with centuriesold craftsmanship that have stood the test of time. PPT s capacity to meet the increasing demand for manufactured jewellery has helped the PANDORA brand expand rapidly worldwide; its esteemed presence is felt in more than 100 countries across six continents. In 2015 alone, PPT produced more than 100 million pieces of jewellery. The brand is now enjoying tremendous acceptance from around 1,900 concept stores and estores located in 14 countries. These numbers would not JNA AWARDS

76 signature pieces are perfect examples of PANDORA style. Not only do the designs possess the timeless beauty associated with the brand, they are also characterised by excellent craftsmanship. We are very happy to see our customers welcome this product line, and look forward to developing this further, PANDORA said. be possible without the loyal customer base the brand has carefully nurtured through the years. With our global presence, the growing number of customers visiting our crafting facilities in Gemopolis, Thailand, and our many crafting showcases at international events around the world, we believe that we are helping raise the profile of Asia-based jewellery companies in the global marketplace, PANDORA said. Impeccable style PPT creates a full assortment of fine jewellery, which incorporates easy-to-wear sensibilities. These include collectible charm bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants. The pieces are perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weddings, as gifts celebrating love and friendship, or even for mere indulgences. With its comparatively affordable price tags, PANDORA s wide range of contemporary jewellery aims to please women who look for luxurious accessories that are of high quality, accessible, hand-finished by experienced craftsmen, yet pleasingly affordable. PPT crafted PANDORA to imbue style and wearability that are crucial elements in today s world of fast fashion. It is important to note that fast fashion does not preclude beautiful pieces that focus on design and quality. In 2015, PANDORA boldly launched its signature line to much acclaim and admiration. Exuding style, this collection is characterised by PPT s careful attention to detail that gives the PANDORA brand its versatile and delicately hand-set stones the elegant look it has come to be known for. 3 Constant advancement Through the years, the PANDORA Group has shaped and reshaped its vision, business planning and marketing strategy not just to create the finest jewellery in the industry, but also to bring out the best in every single person responsible for such impeccable creation. PPT, for its part, makes investments in production efficiency and employee development as demand for the brand continues to grow by leaps and bounds. PPT craftsmen upgraded their skills through the Jewelry Skills Academy, empowering them with advanced capacity to meet the clamour for more of PANDORA s distinctive jewellery pieces. An e-testing system was even incorporated to lessen the cumbersome constraints that face-to-face trainings sometimes generate, thus paving the way for smoother dissemination of knowledge. Following such improvements and changes, PPT triumphantly delivered about 100 million pieces of jewellery in 2015, with approximately 1,300 design variations. Because of this surge in delivery, PANDORA was able to present seven product launches consisting of 14 collections, and introduce a total of 446 new products into its original collections. Not content with coasting along the coattails of its past successes, PPT also favourably invested in research and the evaluation of numerous new methods that led to faster production time from 12 days to two days. True gem PPT not only concerns itself with financial growth and expansion. The company also combines its creative spirit and strong heritage with a firm commitment to corporate Each jewellery category represents a substantial portion of the company s total revenue. For example, the brand s bestselling classical bracelet and charms concept launched more than a decade ago continues to contribute to the success of the company until today. Our signature product line, which was launched in 2015, has been well received in all markets. The PANDORA 4 74 JNA AWARDS 2016

77 social responsibility. In addition, it operates with the goal of minimising its environmental footprint. With its greensaving practices and company policies, the jewellery maker engages only with reputable companies properly certified by the rightful governing bodies. Drawing on PANDORA s belief in the necessity of preserving the resources of Mother Nature, PPT s business practices are peppered with the continuous concern for reducing the company s environmental impact. Company waste is reused and recycled, while an assortment of its materials is derived from reprocessed sources as well. PPT s practices reflect the company s constant process to improve its ecological efficiency. The appeal of such precious fashion jewellery with an eye for good craftsmanship and design is extensive. Beauty, when paired with the awareness to help maintain the environment, as well as the respect for the passionate spirits and hands that create its products, makes PANDORA a true gem and a powerful force in the jewellery industry. Best in the industry In only a short span of time, PPT has experienced enormous growth in both production and acclaim. In 2015, the company enjoyed increases in net profit to become the world s leading jewellery brand. Going beyond the numbers, PANDORA Group has earned a reputation for stamping its transactions with the highest ethical standards, earning for the brand various nods from different organisations. In 2015, PANDORA earned recertification with the Code of Practices issued by the Responsible Jewellery Council, confirming the highest ethical standards in human rights, working conditions, environmental footprint and business integrity in the jewellery industry. On its own, PPT likewise received recertification with ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO (Environmental Management) and OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Management). The manufacturer is also certified according to ISO standards for Energy Management. Deservingly so, PPT has been recognised as a finalist in the JNA Awards Manufacturer of the Year Jewellery category for The JNA Awards endorses our achievements, enhances our reputation, improves our networking opportunities, and above all, places us at the forefront of the jewellery industry. It s always an honour to be recognised especially by JNA because it provides a benchmark for companies to aspire for. It serves as a stimulus to further enhance the industry s competitiveness and professionalism amid the rapidly changing industry landscape, PANDORA stated. This will provide further incentive to the team, give them more reason to strive to be the best and take pride in their work. Previously in 2015, PPT was the recipient of the JNA Awards Outstanding Enterprise of the Year ASEAN accolade. Prior to that, the company was also given the Employer of the Year Award in & 2. Jewellery collections by PANDORA 3. Nils Johan Helander, senior vice president of manufacturing and managing director of PANDORA Production Co Ltd 4. PANDORA Production Co Ltd has highly trained stone setters 5. PANDORA Production Co Ltd employees take part in a reforestation drive in celebration of World Environment Day 6. Contributing to the local community, PANDORA Production Co Ltd funds the construction of a school building in Thailand 5 6 JNA AWARDS

78 PHU NHUAN JEWELRY JOINT STOCK COMPANY 1 Categories: OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR ASEAN RETAILER OF THE YEAR (450 OUTLETS AND BELOW) Country / Region: Vietnam 2 Since 1988, Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Co (PNJ) has been raising the bar of excellence in Vietnam s jewellery manufacturing and retail sectors. With a retail sales network of more than 200 outlets and an online store, PNJ is a trendsetter and an influencer for fashion and fine jewellery, launching about 20 jewellery collections a year to meet its customers diverse tastes and preferences. These collections are sold under four PNJ-owned brands that are recognised throughout Vietnam JEMMA, a high-end silver and coloured 76 JNA AWARDS 2016

79 gemstone jewellery line within the US$50 to US$200 price range; PNJ Silver, a collection catering to trendy, young consumers and sold at affordable price points (US$20 to US$100); PNJ Gold, a gold jewellery brand with a broad market appeal prices start from US$100 to about US$10,000; and CAO Fine Jewellery, PNJ s fine gold and platinum jewellery line often set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other coloured gemstones and carrying a price tag ranging from US$500 to US$10,000. PNJ specialises in the production of fine jewellery and machine-made chains. Most of the jewellery maker s machines and equipment were imported from Italy and Germany. In 2014, PNJ restructured its factory to complement its R&D department and increase its production capacity to meet market demand. Last year, the jewellery manufacturer invested US$3 million in equipment from Italy, Spain and Japan to produce Italian-style bangles and diamond-cut jewellery, which is the top-selling product line in Vietnam due to its light weight and brilliant look. The machinery investment included automatic rolling bracelet machines, stamping and laser-cutting systems for bracelet manufacturing, diamond-cut jewellery by CNC technology link chain welding equipment, and ball-chain making machines. The investment has been more than worth it. Productivity on this product line increased by as much as 50 percent, with three times more output compared to that of previous years. Furthermore, the current loss ratio has been reduced to 1 percent. This has contributed to savings and an increase in jewellery marginal profit. The jewellery line is favoured by customers because its quality is comparable to that of imported goods but is sold at a more competitive price. PNJ also invested in marketing and promotions, developing results-driven promotional events during the peak seasons including the wedding months, Valentine s Day, International Women s Day (March 8) and Vietnam Women s Day (October 20) to name a few. In addition, PNJ standardised the look of its stores as part of its brand-building strategy and to convey a consistent, stable and professional image for the business. In order to deepen the brand s relationship with its customers and inspire loyalty, PNJ established and standardised a Customer Relations Department, with a call centre that has fulfilled several customer care requests and implemented marketing programmes. PNJ s customer database in 2015 increased by 86 percent from 410,400 in 2014 to 763,269 clients. Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, PNJ recorded impressive growth in More stores and outlets were opened, and at the end of 2015, total sales rose by 53 percent before taxes, with revenues amounting to US$350 million and a profit of US$23 million. Sales in 2015 came mainly from the domestic market (accounting for 98.7 percent of total sales), while the rest came from jewellery manufacturing for international clients (about 1.3 percent). PNJ s remarkable growth can be attributed to its commitment to high-quality manufacturing standards, and its guarantee to customers that PNJ Jewelry is of excellent quality, and is therefore reliable. Community involvement For 28 years, PNJ has been leading the regional market, guided by its business philosophy that customers and social benefits are integral to its business assets. The jewellery maker believes that as the company grows and develops, so should the communities where it operates. Voted as one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces in Vietnam, PNJ has earned the title for several reasons. Its 3,000 employees have a higher work satisfaction index than the national average. In 2015, PNJ was assessed by a third-party company and achieved impressive indicators from its workforce: Only 4.3 percent of employees were dissatisfied and thinking of resigning from their jobs as opposed to the Vietnam average of 8.9 percent. The believing index the percentage of employees who feel confident in the vision and strategy of the company was 85.3 percent compared to the national average of 73.8 percent while the index of employees who acted positively was 75.4 percent compared to Vietnam s average of 71.8 percent. The rate of PNJ personnel who are likely to recommend a friend to work in the company was 79.1 percent while the average in Vietnam was 76.3 percent. Overall, the positivity action index of staff and employees was 79.5 percent compared to Vietnam s 76.5 percent. PNJ also invests in career coaching to develop the leadership skills of its employees, from sales staff and consultants working on the frontlines to its artisans. The company spent about US$136,000 in 2015 alone for the training of 2,000 employees in four courses, which were equivalent to 90 classes. PNJ s talent management programme is focused on the building of core competencies, which supports its employees professional development. This also helps create an internal talent pool of future PNJ managers. With an excellent and worthy remuneration policy, the manufacturer is aggressively recruiting and training the company s next generation of leaders. JNA AWARDS

80 Our employees are our most valuable resources, the company said. This is why we invest in the professional growth of our designers, goldsmiths, artisans, quality control inspectors and sales consultants. Philanthropy is also a major part of PNJ s company culture as it implements corporate social responsibility programmes through the PNJ Charity Fund. The fund was established in It has since donated about US$1.1 million to charitable projects such as health assistance programmes for financially disadvantaged patients, and scholarship grants to students who come from low-income families in Vietnam. In 2015, PNJ donated 25 PNJ Houses across the country, giving 25 poor and marginalised families the happiness and fulfilment of having their own homes, and the opportunity to build a brighter future and a more dignified life for their children. This year, PNJ together with the local community launched the Thank You For Not Littering campaign in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces to increase awareness of environmental issues and promote the building of a green, clean and beautiful habitat. The spirit of volunteerism is also strong at PNJ. Employees actively participate in disaster relief efforts and are encouraged to join local advocacy programmes that extend assistance to the rural poor. Brand Identity Excellence by the Vietnam Advertising Association. Even foreign institutions recognise PNJ. The company was named one of the Top 50 Best Vietnamese Listed Companies in 2015 by Forbes Magazine, and Brand Finance (UK) ranked PNJ at No. 20 in its list of the Top 50 Most Valuable Brands in 2015 making it the only jewellery brand to be named on the prestigious list. PNJ was also honoured at the Creative ASEAN Jewellery Design Competition 2015 by the EU-ASEAN Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. The Phoenix Ao Dai Dress created by PNJ likewise set the record as the Ao Dai Dress with the Largest Gold Phoenix Pattern in the Vietnam Book of Records, and was listed in the Unique Collections of the World Institute in November In 2015, the JNA Awards, the jewellery sector s equivalent to the Oscars, conferred the Employer of the Year accolade to PNJ. This year, the JNA Awards spotlight is once again trained on PNJ, which is a finalist in two categories Outstanding Enterprise of the Year ASEAN and Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below). As the leading manufacturing and jewellery trading enterprise in Vietnam, PNJ stays committed to its vision of providing the best-quality products to its customers and of giving back to the communities that are a vital part of the company s growth and development. Vietnam s jewel As a result of its commitment to customer satisfaction and community development, PNJ has received numerous commendations from the government and trade organisations. For four consecutive years, PNJ has received the Vietnam Value Award from the government. Consumers have also consistently voted for PNJ in the Vietnam High Quality Goods Award for 19 consecutive years. The jewellery maker was also the recipient of the Golden Bell for 1. A model presents Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company s Phoenix Ao Dai Dress, which set the record as the Ao Dai Dress with Largest Gold Phoenix Pattern in the Vietnam Book of Records 2. Flower-inspired gold and coloured gemstone bangle by PNJ 3. Cao Thi Ngoc Dung, founder, chairwoman and CEO of PNJ 4. PNJ is a staunch supporter of community-building projects 5. Members of PNJ s Board of Directors. From left: Nguyen Vu Phan, deputy general director of production; Le Huu Hanh, deputy general director of sales; Cao Thi Ngoc Dung, general director; Pham Thi My Hanh, deputy general director of marketing; and Nguyen Thi Cuc, deputy general director of finance JNA AWARDS 2016

81 PRANDA GROUP 1 Category: BRAND OF THE YEAR RETAIL Country / Region: Thailand Brand Name: Prima Gold 2 The Pranda Group owns and operates Thailand s leading premium 24-karat gold jewellery brand, Prima Gold. Established 23 years ago, the brand has more than 100 company-owned operations and authorised retailers spread across Asia and the Middle East. Prima Gold has points-of-sale at malls, department stores and duty-free shops in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt. Carving a special niche in the luxurious 24-karat gold jewellery market, Prima Gold is known for its delicately crafted pieces, which are created using the brand s signature silk line technique, and skilfully designed nature-inspired collections. Our craftsmen, with their passion, invaluable skills and creative vision, breathe life into every piece of Prima Gold 24-karat gold jewellery. The beauty and impeccable quality of each golden iconic piece are so timeless, they can be passed down from one generation to the next, Pranda said. Every year, Prima Gold craftsmen produce more than 400 designs that are categorised into three collections: 24-karat pure gold, two-tone combination of 24-karat and 18-karat white gold, and 24-karat gold with gemstones. The designs are available in a wide range of prices, from US$150 to more than US$15,000. Each item comes with a lifetime warranty and complimentary maintenance service. With a skills-rich workforce comprising around 3,500 staff involved in the group s manufacturing, distribution and retail operations, Prima Gold the world s purest gold jewellery generated US$80.22 million in revenue in JNA AWARDS

82 That unique customer experience begins with the face of the shop attractive window displays that are regularly refurbished to keep clients interested. As soon as they step inside the boutique, salespeople, professionally trained as jewellery consultants, greet and assist them in making the best purchasing decisions. Inside every Prima Gold shop are various collections that convey specific messages for each target consumer and particular occasions. The licensed Hello Kitty Collection in 2015 successfully attracted a younger set of customers, with the jewellery line generating approximately US$770,000 in sales in Thailand. The sophisticated Cube Collection, which was unveiled in December 2015 and designed for daily wear, earned approximately US$87,000 for the company. The Lucky in Love Collection, which made its debut in February 2016 and was a Valentine s Day exclusive, picked up about US$34,000 in sales. Getting to know the customer Majority of Prima Gold s customers are mature, independent-minded women who understand and appreciate gold. Knowing how this particular market segment values emotions, the brand is presented as a meaningful gift that one associates with important and life-altering occasions. Consumers between the ages of 25 and 35 are also among the key drivers behind Prima Gold s engaging image. This important customer demographic is further classified into three categories: General consumer, gold member and premier member. Such classification helps Pranda in customising activities, rewards and privileges that are geared around that specific segment s needs and desires. Prima Gold, with its heritage of flawless craftsmanship and infinitely beautiful jewellery, turns gifting experiences into memorable events that are gratifying for both givers and recipients, Pranda said. The Prima Gold experience centres on people; this is why the whole package is greater than the sum of its parts. We create the finest 24-karat gold jewellery and more. 3 To ensure that Prima Gold stays in the minds of consumers, collaborative marketing campaigns were launched with department stores, credit card companies and mobile service providers. These are supported by public relations events, social media marketing, editorial content and product placements. Online and offline channels Reaching its customers through digital and traditional media proved to be effective in maintaining Prima Gold s image as the premium 24-karat gold jewellery brand. Social media platforms, and print and broadcast media were utilised depending on a specific market s more dominant awareness channels. 4 Famous businesswoman, style icon and former Miss Vietnam Nyugen Thi Giang My was chosen as a Prima Gold brand ambassador, helping shape the brand s story in television and print interviews, and in the social media. Other admired businesswomen were also tapped as influencers on a seasonal basis, delivering key messages consistent with the brand s image and value. Maximising its strength in growing markets like Vietnam, Pranda gave local media representatives a tour of the group s modern facilities in Thailand where they witnessed every detail of the brand s manufacturing process firsthand. 80 JNA AWARDS 2016

83 Pranda took advantage of Facebook s popularity among its customers, investing in ads and tracking tools to determine how to effectively build connections with its target market. Prima Gold has tapped into the benefits of social media; it is direct, interactive, immediate and cost-effective, Pranda stated. Social networking is an effective tool in Prima Gold s customer engagement strategy. Business with a conscience Pranda Group s commitment to transparency and good corporate governance can be seen in its sensitivity to its customers needs in particular, and the consumers interest in general. The group s brand is also well represented in community development projects. Prima Gold buyers are assured of data privacy. This means information about each customer is securely kept in an integrated system, to be treated with utmost confidentiality and restricted from external parties. The company also actively supports the anti-corruption policy within the industry through its membership in the Collective Action Coalition, which was backed by the Government and Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand. It also joined the Kimberley Process initiative that seeks to maintain the integrity of the diamond trade. 5 employee recognition programmes and career advancement opportunities motivate its staff to challenge themselves, expand their skills and make a meaningful contribution to the company s growth. Being named an Honouree in the Brand of the Year Retail category of the 2016 JNA Awards is like the icing on Prima Gold s cake, so to speak. For one thing, it validates the company s commitment and dedication to operational excellence and exemplary customer service. In addition to recognising our commitment to our valued customers and craftsmen, the JNA Awards serves as an assurance to our suppliers and partners from department stores and celebrities to fashion brands that we champion best business practices, value integrity and inspire innovation. Pranda believes this accolade will further fortify Prima Gold s stellar reputation in the international market. The JNA Awards has played an important role in spurring the company into delivering real value to customers, and sustaining and nurturing our most important asset brand credibility. We owe our success to every client and employee who has turned Prima Gold into a customer-focused, value-driven and ethical business. As a corporate citizen, Pranda is guided by three core values: Teamwork, continuous improvement and stakeholder focus. The company participates in activities that advocate environmental protection, promote programmes for underprivileged children and the disabled, and support disaster relief efforts and animal welfare projects. Employee training and development is also a priority at Pranda. Continuous performance-based initiatives, 1. Prima Gold s first flagship store in Bangkok, Thailand 2. Allamanda bracelet by Prima Gold 3. A model wears Prima Gold jewellery 4. Siam Lotus necklace by Prima Gold 5. Siam Panarai ring by Prima Gold 6. Prida Tiasuwan, chairman of Pranda Group 7. Pranee Khunprasert, Pranda Group s brand creative director 8. A Prima Gold shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam JNA AWARDS

84

85 The company also led the way in discontinuing the discounting policy at stores, promoting a fi xedprice rule that gives customers more peace of mind. This unique business model of offering the Genuine Price Promise (GPP) a fi xed transparent pricing on gold and diamond jewellery giving maximum value to customers comes with an exceptional lifetime 80 percent exchange and 70 percent buy-back policy with free lifetime repair. This is why many customers often express their delight in Pure Gold Jewellers products and services, giving their positive comments on social media. The retailer s diverse and high-quality collections cater to a multi-cultural clientele that includes Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Filipinos, Russians, British and others. In a mystery shopper audit conducted by the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Pure Gold Jewellers received the highest marks for the Most Consumer Friendly Brand Index. It also helps that Pure Gold Jewellers was the fi rst jewellery retailer to achieve ISO 9001 certifi cation in 2002, and is the fi rst and only retailer in the Middle East to be awarded with the World Diamond Mark. These certifi cations have established the reputation of the company and its products among consumers, and up until today, emphasise the need to uphold responsible sourcing practices. Heart of gold Pure Gold Jewellers founder Firoz Merchant received the 2016 Philanthropist of the Year award from CEO Middle East, in appreciation of the company s involvement and donations to numerous local, regional and international charities. Under Karim s leadership, Pure Gold Jewellers continues this philosophy of charity. One of the company s initiatives that he strongly supports is the Forgotten Society, a programme devised to help debt-laden prisoners in UAE jails. Starting from 2011, the company has helped repatriate 5,500 insolvent prisoners, spending about US$3 million in the process. Pure Gold Jewellers has also contributed to relief work in many countries affected by 5 natural calamities such as India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Maldives, Germany and Levant countries. The company also supports the Red Crescent Society, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charitable Foundation, Dar Al Bait Society, Bait Al Khair Society Jamiya Asarika Al Khaliya (Sharjah Charity International), UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Breast Cancer Control, Faraj Fund, Ministry of Education UAE, Ministry of Health UAE, Zakat Fund Abu Dhabi and others. This year, Pure Gold Jewellers also started a pledge of US$3 million to install or restore wells and hand pumps in villages that need clean water for drinking, cooking and other purposes. Holistic success Pure Gold Jewellers has two factories in India and one in China, employing more than 2,000 craftsmen and professionals, all of whom are dedicated and qualifi ed to cater to the needs of its fast-growing clientele. 6 Under Karim s inspiring leadership, employees are empowered to work towards the corporate vision, with crystal clear transparency in all dealings. Pure Gold Jewellers also offers plenty of training and coaching opportunities to develop its people, through mentorship programmes. Long-time experienced employees mentor new hires, which encourages and provides learning opportunities. Retaining talent is extremely important to us because talent lost is an asset lost to us, explained Karim. We JNA AWARDS

86 spend time, money and effort in training talent, so any loss is keenly felt. To maintain a happy work environment that is beneficial to all, the company develops team events, fun workshops and other activities that foster cooperation and harmony among colleagues. Employees of Pure Gold Jewellers also take part in regular brainstorming sessions where they are able to have a voice in planning, sharing and contributing ideas and new solutions. Adapting to changing times This year, Karim is one of the honourees nominated in the JNA Awards Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category. I feel blessed and honoured to be selected for such a prestigious award, he said. It validates my commitment to this industry and gives me the encouragement to continue to move against the tide. Running an enterprise in the jewellery industry is challenging, especially during hard times. How does the young entrepreneur cope? Failing is part of being an entrepreneur, so the trick is to learn from your failures and chart a different path to success, Karim shared. There were times when some of our strategies did not work, but we moved with the market conditions and adapted. I believe that in today s fast-changing business environment, every entrepreneur needs to be optimistic and prudent, alert at all times, and be ready to face any eventualities in the marketplace. Staying relevant to your target audience is the key. One of his latest initiatives is the launch of a new store concept, which aims to build Pure Gold Jewellers connection with millennial consumers. The new shop design leverages technology to enhance a customer s in-store experience. Our objective is to establish an endearing connection with this new generation of techsavvy consumers while at the same time staying in touch with our more mature and loyal clients. When entering our redesigned shops, customers are led into a world of elegance and modernity where they can browse through our collections with ease, Karim said. Being born into privilege, he could have chosen any career he wanted. He, however, chose to build a career in the jewellery industry, just like his father. Every industry and organisation faces ups and downs since we operate in a global economy and businesses are interconnected. If you can tell me which industry doesn t suffer from economic upheavals, I will switch to it today, Karim replied. Joking aside, I don t believe running away from any problem is the solution we have experienced some very good times, and now we must be willing and able to sustain and improve ourselves during challenging periods. Times always change; it is just a matter of who will remain in business to take that opportunity. 1. Firoz Merchant, founder and chairman of Pure Gold Group 2. Karim Merchant, CEO and managing director of Pure Gold Jewellers 3. Members of Pure Gold Jewellers executive committee 4. Butterfly necklace by Pure Gold Jewellers 5. Fareeha necklace by Pure Gold Jewellers 6. Fareeha bracelet by Pure Gold Jewellers 7. Oystra pendant by Pure Gold Jewellers 8. One of Pure Gold Jewellers boutiques in Dubai 9. Pure Gold Jewellers team of highly skilled workers JNA AWARDS 2016

87 RMC GEMS INDIA LTD 1 Category: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CUTTING & POLISHING Country / Region: India 2 While RMC Gems India Ltd operates from Jaipur, India, its name is highly respected by clients coming from different parts of the globe. The company has been in the industry since 2001, powered by more than 600 well-trained professionals who were instrumental in bringing in an impressive revenue of over US$20 million in RMC manufactures coloured gemstones in its stateof-the-art facilities in Jaipur. All finished gemstones are regularly shipped from this manufacturing unit for export to various destinations around the world, including the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand. Although 100 percent export-oriented, RMC also imports and sources rough gemstones locally. This makes RMC one of the largest coloured gemstone manufacturers in India. The gemstone expert is well-known for its wide array of facetted and fine selections of goods. Coloured gemstones like blue topaz, tourmaline (Paraiba, indigolite and rubellite), tanzanite, aquamarine, morganite, amethyst and citrine, among others, are offered at competitive prices. For the period 2014 to 2016, the company s export production increased by 11 percent from million carats to million carats. JNA AWARDS

88 3 4 Industry recognition Consistent with its focus on providing product quality and business excellence, RMC is one of the first in the coloured gemstone category that was granted with the ISO 9001, ISO and ISO certifications. The company also holds the distinction of being a Star Export House. Its managing director, Nirmal Bardiya, has been designated director of the International Colored Gemstone Association. For five consecutive years from 2010 to 2015 RMC was given the Highest Export Award for coloured gemstones by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India. In 2016, the company has been named one of the honourees in the Manufacturer of the Year Cutting & Polishing category of the JNA Awards. This is the second recognition that the company has received from the JNA Awards, the first one being granted in 2015 when it won the Manufacturer of the Year Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing award. Innovative gemstone processing Over the years, the company has built a large customer base in the domestic and foreign fronts. Its clients continue to grow in number, which is proof of their loyalty to the brand. It is therefore not surprising for the brand to emerge as a premier trademark in the global gemstone industry. RMC does not rest on its laurels. To gain a bigger share of the Asian market, the manufacturer launched an aggressive marketing campaign through social media platforms and advertising. At the same time, the coloured gemstone specialist also diversified its products to keep pace with market trends. Aware of the economic challenges of the last two years, RMC knew it had to innovate to remain competitive. In answer to the difficult times faced by the jewellery industry, we focused on three areas: Install new machines and use technology to reduce production costs; provide workshops to train employees for better quality control; and improve one-time delivery service, RMC said. Processing coloured gemstones was traditionally done by hand, and RMC has skilled manpower to do this in the manufacturing of perfect gemstones. For two years, RMC implemented intensive R&D projects to develop better processing methods, particularly in making shapes out of natural gemstones. All the hard work paid off when the company came up with its own computerised 3-Axis Shape-Making Machine in The machine made it possible for four processes to be executed with more accuracy in one go: Shape-making, griddle-polishing, facetting and polishing. As a result, production capacity has increased nearly three times without sacrificing quality while maintaining the sizes within 50 microns. And while initial coordination between the machine and the computer/controller encountered some issues, RMC was able to resolve the problems through better teamwork, a focused strategy and technological advancements. Operational efficiencies RMC s investments in innovative solutions to manufacturing processes has given the company positive results on several aspects. It created an impact on the company s operational and environmental governance that further raised RMC s status as a wellrespected coloured gemstone manufacturer in India and the world. RMC ensures that it fulfills its vision of commercial success by adhering to its strong ethical values, initiating corporate social responsibility projects, and respecting people, communities and the environment. The company implements its environmental management programme according to ISO standards. Social policies are in place and discussed by RMC with its customers, employees and suppliers. To its suppliers, 86 JNA AWARDS 2016

89 5 6 for example, the company provides evaluation forms where Social Accountability Points are applied. The points garnered by each supplier are equivalent to 10 percent in the sourcing criteria. The company also uses a self-assessment form for suppliers who are validated through site visits. As a manufacturer that uses natural resources, RMC is aware of its responsibilities to the preservation of the environment. To mitigate its environmental impact, the company minimises its use of natural resources, particularly water. It built an Effluent Treatment Plant to recycle and reuse the water it consumes as a company, which resulted in a 22 percent reduction in its water consumption. Employee welfare and financial freedom also benefited from the company s successful investments. Concerned about its employees health, RMC implemented the Occupational Health Safety Management System in accordance with the BSCIC OHSAS certification. RMC also believes that its workers are its most valuable assets, and should therefore have a share of the company s profits. During the period, the employees received a 30 percent annual festival bonus. As a firm believer of best business practices, RMC maintains good relationships with relevant parties including government agencies, trade partners, service agencies, employees and other stakeholders. RMC s factory is certified for Social Accountability (SA 8000) since it is in full compliance with ethical standards and international norms. The coloured gemstone specialist has a properly defined CSR policy mechanism led by a committee that supervises the implementation of the company s community-related activities. RMC is a regular sponsor of the government s Mid-Day Meal project where it grants financial assistance to promote proper child nutrition in schools in the rural areas. For years, the company also participates in blood donation camps in cooperation with government-approved hospitals and blood banks. Through this campaign, RMC employees, suppliers and contractors are given the opportunity to participate and be instruments to a better, healthier society by voluntarily donating blood. 1. Polished rubies 2. RMC Gems India Ltd supplies a wide range of polished coloured gemstones 3. RMC Gems India Ltd s polishing facility 4. Nirmal Bardiya, managing director of RMC Gems India Ltd 5. RMC Gems India Ltd s coloured gemstone slicing facility 6. An RMC Gems India Ltd employee inspects a parcel of apphires 7. An RMC Gems India Ltd employee inspects a polished gemstone 8. RMC Gems India Ltd s head office in Jaipur, India 7 8 JNA AWARDS

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91 oriented policies create a good working atmosphere, and allow designers and innovators to improve and strive for craftsmanship excellence. The company has also developed a system for scientific and technological innovation management. It clarifies and sets guidelines for the different ways to innovate, and lays down the requirements and methods that have been proven effective through the years. Even with more than 5,000 employees in the company, Shenzhen Batar maintains an environment that encourages openness and transparency since employees can communicate directly with senior top management through the CEO s mail box. This platform was created to inspire and embolden the staff to submit recommendations and opinions straight to the company s senior officials. A team reviews the messages daily, which are then forwarded to the CEO for analysis and feedback. If a message from an employee is worth noting, the CEO will interview the worker concerned. If the recommendation proves to be useful, the CEO will approve and implement the employee s proposal. This gives the staff the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process and be rewarded for their creative ideas. This also leaves employees feeling empowered that they too could affect positive change within the organisation. Batar is built on the core value of teamwork, and employees often come together and share workloads, especially during big events and product launches. When the wholesale showroom is overwhelmed with tasks, other departments will readily pitch in and work outside their defined roles to ensure that the showroom runs smoothly. Most employees volunteer to organise and host company events, allowing them to take ownership of the event as if it was theirs. This is resourcefulness, creativity and teamwork coming together to make the brand a success. In its company employee handbook, Batar clearly states that it is committed to honouring and rewarding innovative employees. Incentive mechanisms are in place, and at the end of each year, the company submits a report detailing the reforms and innovations implemented. Employees who made outstanding technological discoveries and initiated product innovations that helped spur new growth in the company or had a significant impact on design, development, production, sales and management are recognised. Indeed, at Batar, innovators rule. Innovation is an inexhaustible power for a company, and we at Batar regard it as one of our pillars for sustainable development, according to the group. Batar is also proving itself to be a trendsetter in the jewellery sector. Nearly a decade ago, the group launched the Culture of Gold: Fashionable Gold concept, which saw the company persistently pursuing unique innovations and designs to raise the standards in the gold and jewellery industry, and deliver customer satisfaction. In the Culture of Gold: Fashionable Gold campaign, Batar collaborated with national artists such as Master Wang Shuwen (China Arts and Crafts Association) and Liu Hong Yan (Chinese Shandong gold sculptor and painter) in creating fine jewellery collections inspired by traditional arts and culture using gold as the medium. Thus, Batar helped revive the market s love for and interest in the traditional arts as expressed in highquality gold jewellery. Since then, the company has been producing more than 6,000 jewellery pieces for this collection each year, proving that it has indeed made its mark in China s gold jewellery industry. To meet the demands of the market, Batar also carefully invested in new technologies and equipment upgrades, and developed a state-of-the-art automated seamless pipe features and techniques index. These manufacturing advances have boosted efficiency and productivity, with each machine replacing four workers and saving the company up to eight man-hours a day, while increasing the volume of products that can be completed at the same time. This helped Batar generate US$917 million in revenue in In recent years, one outstanding achievement of Batar is the development and introduction of a gold manufacturing technique that makes it possible for the company to produce various types of colourful gold. This has been widely accepted by consumers. Culture of harmony Batar s core values revolve around what it calls a culture of harmony. The company encourages employees to actively participate in social public welfare activities as a way of giving back and being one with the community. 3 JNA AWARDS

92 Every year, Batar s Volunteer Team draws up a social support calendar and workplan. The company and its employees contribute their time, talent, energy and skills to worthy causes, from disaster relief operations and fundraising drives for disadvantaged communities to the promotion of health awareness, environmental stewardship and education. The volunteers also take the time to visit the elderly, take part in the short-term care of orphans and join beach clean-up operations. Since the employee philanthropy and voluntary work are carried out on behalf of Batar, the brand s image is enhanced and its workforce s commitment to corporate citizenship strengthened. The strong spirit of volunteerism within Batar has won it a number of awards including the Love Contribution Unit accolade, which was presented by the Social Welfare Foundation in Shenzhen. It was also named as one of the Top 10 Enterprises by the Shenzhen Project Care Organizing Committee. Managing and minimising the company s environmental impact is another key focus for Batar. In 2014, the company installed solar panels to power up the staff dormitory, and reduce the amount of energy consumed by its laser soldering and welding operations. Batar has also created a safer and healthier work environment for its staff by introducing advanced machinery that reduces the need for chemical substances in the gold jewellery manufacturing process. Since 2009, the company has been awarded the ISO Environmental Management System Certification, attesting to Batar s commitment to preserving nature and the environment for generations to come. Industry recognition For its contribution to the gold jewellery industry, Batar was named China s Number 1 Gold Manufacturer in 2014, and received other accolades including the Shenzhen Mayor Quality Award (2014), Outstanding Contribution Award (2015), State AAA-Class Standard of Good Conduct Certification (2015), China Gems and Jewelry Trade Association Trust Model Award (2015), SEE Conservation Council Member Certificate (2015) and the State AAA-Class of Enterprise Credibility honour. At the 2015 JNA Awards, Batar was also named Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Mainland China, and was one of the honourees in the Manufacturer of the Year Precious Metals-Only Jewellery category. For 2016, the company is once again among the honourees of the JNA Awards in the following categories: Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year, and Manufacturer of the Year Jewellery. Its chairman and CEO, Chau Tsankwan, is also an honouree or a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category of the prestigious awards programme. Participating in the annual JNA Awards is truly an honour because it provides us with an open platform where we can promote, share and exchange best practices, ideas and technologies that will help the industry thrive and grow, Batar said. The accolades are also an affirmation of our company s standing as one of the best in the region and beyond. In addition to this certification, Batar also received ISO 9001 Certification for Quality Management System to ensure the quality and stability of its products, and passed the OHSAS Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Standards that seek to minimise accidents or illnesses among employees. 1. Batar Jewellery s boutique at the Shenzhen International Airport 2. Fine gold jewellery collections by Batar Jewellery 3. A highly trained craftsman gives the finishing touches to a gold chain at Batar Jewellery s workshop 4. The management team of Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd 4 90 JNA AWARDS 2016

93 CHAU TSANKWAN SHENZHEN BATAR INVESTMENT HOLDING GROUP CO LTD Category: YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (AGE 40 AND BELOW) Country / Region: China Chau Tsankwan of Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd is a deserving recipient of an honour that recognises his outstanding and exceptional vision in the jewellery sector as well as the leadership and conscientiousness he portrays in a highly competitive industry. As Chau commands the business with an outstanding sense of entrepreneurship and a fresh view on innovation, processes and even his workforce, the results speak for themselves with his strong financial and commercial presence in the industry. Chau Tsankwan, chairman and CEO of Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd the group was the first to launch the Cultural Gold: Fashionable Gold concept in the industry. In 2008, they introduced brand franchising and developed the retail business with the brand Batar Jewellery. Today, Batar s retail shops cover more than 85 percent of China, with Batar Group overseeing more than 400 franchise and retail stores. A harvest of accolades Chau ably sets the sail for Batar, reaping for the group a list of notable credits. Batar Group is a major player in the gold and jewellery industry and is involved in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail distribution of its products as well as other financial investments. The group owns more than 20 thriving subsidiaries, which in turn operate different businesses. Leadership and innovation Since joining the industry a decade ago, Batar Group has been building momentum under Chau s leadership. Understanding the blend of traditional values and changing market conditions, he steered the group towards success by upgrading its technologies and products. Up to the first half of 2015, Batar Group owned a total of 102 patents. Chau believes that the spirit of innovation that pervades all areas of the business allows him to lead his people and overcome challenges along the way. With honesty as our foundation, we are able to analyse setbacks, sum up the lessons we have learned from these experiences, and seek ways to improve and learn from them. That, to me, is the beginning of success. True enough, Batar Group under Chau continued to lead the way for the jewellery industry. In 2006, He was also largely responsible for securing two JNA Awards accolades for Batar in The company was the recipient of the Outstanding Enterprise of The Year Award Mainland China, and was one of the finalists in the Manufacturer of The Year Precious Metals-Only Jewellery category. For 2016, Chau himself is a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category. It s an honour to be recognised, and it s an affirmation of my personal commitment, high ethical standards and positive innovation efforts. This accolade has injected more confidence and strength into Batar Group s development, Chau said. Under his guidance, Batar understands that business cannot continue the usual way and still thrive. Having focused on the gold and jewellery industry for the past 10 years with much perseverance and determination, Batar is committed to building the largest jewellery industry group and growing its influence on the world stage, Chau declared. As a cornerstone of China s jewellery industry, Batar has much to offer and is unquestionably poised for a glittering future for as long as Chau wears the captain s hat. JNA AWARDS

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95 One such revolutionary invention from Bofook R&D Design is the weld-free jointing technology for precious metal, which has since become the core technology for manufacturing high-quality and high-purity jewellery. Another invention is the gold + platinum welding technology, which properly handles the difference of melting points between gold and platinum, resulting in a brand-new product that fi lled in a gap in the market. Other technologies from Bofook R&D Design stir up new trends for the jewellery market as well, such as roasted colours, 3D holographic multi-coloured technology, and seven-coloured brushing and printing. In 2015, Bofook joined Platinum Guild International (PGI) in launching the Platinum 4.0 project, introducing products that use the latest smart manufacturing techniques in the jewellery industry. Smart mechanical technology, which includes CNC (incision, graving and facetting), 3D printing, steel mould and automatic chaining, are applied to the said products. One of the astounding results is the Swiss Hollow Chain ultra-thin, unique and super delicate Platinum 4.0 products that cannot be made by hand, and are a true showcase of what modern technology can do. These most recent innovations were showcased at jewellery fairs in Beijing and Basel, Switzerland where Bofook joined other international institutions and brands in addition to PGI, such as Forevermark, Rio Tinto and Chow Tai Fook. In addition to offering itself as a provider of complete one-stop-shop purchasing and fully comprehensive jewellery services, Bofook also upgraded and launched the private Brand K, which caters to clients who prefer personal, customised jewellery. Innovative strategies, combined with best business practices, top-quality designs and providing service to a wide range of clientele (from personalised to large-scale products and services), helped Bofook increase its main revenue to US$148 million in 2015, which is good news for the economy and Bofook s more than 2,000 employees. Modern technology meets tradition Bofook s traditions and enterprising spirit has spanned two generations. The company has taken bold risks for innovation and modernisation with careful practicality. Every improvement and upgrade it has done aims to give customers the satisfaction and guarantee of 3 high-quality platinum, diamond, gold, K-gold, jade and other gemstones securing its place as one of the most trusted brands in China s jewellery scene. Among the modernised features of Bofook is its marketing centre. The continuous upgrades to marketing help promote a more standardised management system, ensure fast and secure sharing of information with up-to-date security and encryption, and give a more convenient and safe online ordering and shopping experience for clients. Bofook has also taken to e-commerce platforms such as Tmall.com and WeChat, offering Brand K to mainstream consumers. When the online personalised service began, several orders from all corners of China were received, allowing Bofook to take the lead in tapping this new market. Innovation isn t done in just one day. It is something that needs to be nourished day by day, and that is exactly what Bofook is doing, said Bofook. Even when market sentiments turned gloomy, we put the emphasis on innovation, and this injected new energy into the company and growth in the market. As Bofook continues to innovate, it also learns and adapts to modern technologies. This is also one of the reasons why Bofook values the honour of taking part in and being recognised by the annual JNA Awards. Exemplary corporate citizen Bofook has always been people-oriented in its management approach and philosophy. As the company encourages every staff and employee to be innovative, Bofook also gives regular awards to outstanding personnel who contribute to achieving Bofook s corporate vision. Many of Bofook s employees have been loyal to the company since its humble beginnings. In return for its employees loyalty and dedication, Bofook has set up special awards such as Outstanding Service Awards for employees who have been with the organisation for fi ve years and more. The company also organises activities that enhance employees experiences and give them avenues for growth and recreation such as sports festivals, singing contests, fi eld trips or travel opportunities, and more. Bofook also has basketball teams, dance teams and other groups for physical health activities. Just recently, the company set up a Youth School that provides free training courses in yoga and photography for employees. Bofook s sense of social responsibility extends to the JNA AWARDS

96 entire community since it regularly takes part in public welfare charity events, road repairs, tree-planting and reforestation activities, poverty alleviation and disaster relief efforts. Bofook s employee association also established the Happiness Fund to support workers who are undergoing family difficulties, and extend assistance to co-workers with illnesses. In 2015, Bofook donated funds to the Shantou Goutou Elementary School. Through the Hope Project in Guangdong Province, the jewellery maker also pledged to support 30 students from low-income families. In 2009, Bofook moved in to its new headquarters in Longgang District, which it named the Bofook Jewellery Park. The entire establishment was developed to be a National AAA Tourist Destination, and has become a unique, model industry park with low-carbon emission, and state-of-the-art recycling and environmentally safe systems. Having a manufacturing site that is a model of harmonious co-existence with the environment is also one of the ways by which Bofook commits to corporate responsibility. The jewellery manufacturer s investments in machine and technology upgrades benefit not only its employees but also the surrounding community. For the whole year of 2015, the company recorded zero work-related injuries, proving that the work environment is healthy and safe for all. The improvement in equipment also significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, and has bolstered production efficiency by lowering costs, and wear and tear. The company also invested millions of RMB every year in tree-planting and the construction of leisure parks for surrounding communities proof that it protects the community as much as it protects itself. Accolades and honours In appreciation for Bofook s many contributions to the community and industry, the company was recognised as one of the Top Ten Brands of the Manufacturing Industry by the Chinese Jewellery and Jade Association, as well as the Leading Enterprise of Independent Innovation Industry, Top 100 Independent and Innovative Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Top 100 Cultural Creative Industries in Shenzhen, and many more. Last year, Bofook was one of the honourees in the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Mainland China category, and its president, Sit Kwan, won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 or below) award. For its continuing commitment to innovate and uphold worldclass quality enterprise standards, Bofook is shortlisted in two categories this year: Industry Innovation/ Sustainability Initiative of the Year and the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China. As one Chinese saying goes, There is always someone to learn from. The JNA Awards provides us with the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas with the best enterprises in the jewellery and gemstone industry, Bofook said. We are honoured to have once again been recognised by the JNA Awards, and we will continue to make every effort to fulfill our commitment to our staff, clients and our communities. When it comes to developing and implementing intelligent production systems and designs, Bofook is a company that sets the pace in the jewellery industry. The jeweller s discipline and commitment to high quality standards in innovation comes with a lot of hard work and is full of risks, but the long-term results are definitely worth it. 1. Sit Kwan (front row and centre), CEO of Shenzhen Bohengda Group Co Ltd and chairman of Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd, and his management team 2. Shenzhen Bofook s Gold and Platinum jewellery collection 3. Swing 270 axial dynamic diamond pendant 4. Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd s headquarters 5. Shenzhen Bofook uses the most advanced equipment in its jewellery manufacturing process JNA AWARDS 2016

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98 3 Foreway s consistent venture into the discovery and use of creative and ground-breaking technology to rise above the competition makes it possible for the company to operate sustainably. Its CNC metal die technology, in particular, is a good reason for Foreway to be named one of the Honourees in the 2016 JNA Awards Sustainability Initiative of the Year/Industry Innovation category. The JNA Awards is a well-known and authoritative organisation. Thanks to its far-reaching influence and rigorous screening process, the Awards has helped drive innovation and excellence in the industry by recognising and advocating best corporate practices. Because of this, the JNA Awards plays a very important role in promoting the healthy development of the jewellery industry, Foreway said. Innovative mindset Foreway s CNC metal die technology is significantly instrumental in keeping the company s productivity higher than normal. It allows the manufacturer to reduce unnecessary raw material wastage and brings energy consumption down to manageable levels, keeping production costs at a minimum. Consequently, production has become more efficient. Our management concept is value-created and winwin strategy, Foreway explained. We set up three design departments and subcontracted two design companies. With this kind of organisational setup, the jeweller manages to provide creative ways to keep its technical staff highly trained and well-motivated. We hold technical competitions and product development activities at least twice a year, and award the winners with promotions and other incentives. We also organise weekly technical seminars, and encourage our staff to visit international jewellery, industrial equipment and arts exhibitions. 4 Evidently, Foreway knows that keeping a highly competitive workforce can easily translate into better-quality products that customers will appreciate and actually buy. Constant innovation is key, especially since the brand s target market are younger consumers who value the latest styles and delicately crafted fashion jewellery. They are the ones whose tastes vary more often than any other market segment, and are therefore more demanding of the way jewellery products are made from concept to final creation. The market indeed is continually unpredictable, and those who remain attentive to the demands of the business are more likely to accomplish more. Lessons still need to be learned, even for an innovator like Foreway. We need to have our own vision and deep understanding of the market. We need to listen to what the consumers are saying to meet their needs and wants. We cannot follow the same exact path taken by others to business success, Foreway said. Sustainable business principles Foreway s position as a leading manufacturer of classic gold jewellery makes it a vital industry player. This is why Foreway abides by high ethical standards to uphold the integrity of its operations and the entire industry in general. 96 JNA AWARDS 2016

99 we conduct monthly reviews and make the necessary adjustments to the succeeding months operational goals if necessary. The company conscientiously meets its legal duties including fulfilling its tax obligations, respecting copyright protection, meeting the required amount of carbon emissions, and complying with other government requirements. Foreway does not tolerate unfair practices to compete and treats its customers data with strict confidentiality. In terms of staff management, Foreway provides a professional and career development platform to ensure that its employees reach their goals and potential. A family-oriented culture pervades the organisation at all levels, creating a positive work environment that fosters teamwork and productivity. Training programmes are organised to encourage staff to explore their full potential, develop management skills and ensure that their individual goals are aligned with the company s targets. We encourage our employees to write down their personal and professional goals at least twice a year, Foreway said. The company and every department likewise set clear operational goals for the year. To ensure that everyone s on the same page and that our business performance is on track, 5 Personal customer service Foreway is initiating a new person-to-person product design and development service, wherein customers will be given the full picture of its product development schedule. To ensure the integrity of the purchase, products are offered to pre-appointed clients. In some cases, a jewellery piece may be sold to one client at a time for the latter s privacy and convenience. A special section is also reserved for a few select clients. Those who prefer to place their orders remotely may use the Open Foreway online ordering system. This site shows relevant data about product styling, special recommendations, top-selling products, and other useful information that can help customers make satisfactory purchase decisions. 1. The extraordinary team behind Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd led by Ye Xiangzhou, front row and centre 2. Diamond couple ring set by Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd 3. The management team at Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd s annual meeting 4. & 5. Gold jewellery bracelets by Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd 6. Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd Chairman Ye Xiangzhou 7. Ye Xiangzhou (right), chairman of Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd, inspects a piece of gold ornament fresh off the production line 8. Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd staff hard at work JNA AWARDS

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101 markets through the active participation of its 1,900-strong workforce. Because of this feat, the 2016 JNA Awards has named Ganlu one of the honourees in the Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year category. This recognition further gives Ganlu the impetus to realise its vision and fortify its growing international reach. Being nominated for this award is one of the highest accolades that a company like Ganlu can receive in the name of innovation and sustainable success, the jewellery maker said. It also provides us with a platform to reach out to and exchange cuttingedge technologies and information with the industry s best enterprises. Ganlu firmly believes that the JNA Awards opens up opportunities for jewellery and gemstone companies to enhance their sustainability efforts for the benefit of a regulated and healthier market. Advocating innovation Ganlu has definitely become one of the major pacesetters in the global jewellery business, having been in operation since With industry experience as an advantage, the company continues to look for better ways to improve its production even in the face of an economic downturn. In fact, economic declines present the most opportune time for enterprises like Ganlu to push for innovative discoveries. To grow, a company has to stay alert and create a sense of urgency at all times. When an economy is slowing down, higher production efficiency and resource waste management are indispensable to the business. It is important to take action, encourage innovation and assume informed risks, Ganlu said. Since Ganlu serves VIP customers from China and overseas, service is customised using a one-on-one model. Information concerning its clients is kept in a secure system that the company has invested in. It fully puts customers front and centre of its operations, and even signs confidentiality agreements with clients for security purposes. The same system is used to redesign financial procedures as part of the manufacturer s business process innovation. On the production side, Ganlu initiated technical innovations starting with a pioneering precious metal testing laboratory. Through this laboratory, the company was able to design and create open-ended stretch bracelets made from a new generation of platinum material with memory capacity. This means that the bracelets can be twisted in any shape and still be able to revert to their original forms, making them a comfortable fit for their wearers. This is the first product of its kind in the jewellery market. Ganlu also made the shift from manually operated grinding machines to fully automated ones, a move that significantly reduces the noise level at the factory and increases the recovery rate by 7 percent. The new mechanised line also helped ensure better precision and faster creation of product designs. Furthermore, upgrading was also done with the laser cutter, reducing the thermal effect on the edges of each product and its production time by three seconds, which, in effect, increases the service life of the equipment. From producing 30 new moulds a month, the jewellery maker is now able to make 100 new products for the same amount of time. Real benefits Once Ganlu started using these new and upgraded technologies, the company was able to reduce its operating costs by around US$11,000 per year. Its other technology-driven projects resulted in tangible benefits for the company: The manufacturing process became more proficient; raw material consumption dropped by around 0.8 percent; waste production fell by 26 percent; material recovery recorded a significant increase; and the number of operators needed for each production line dropped by 12 percent on average. The new laser cutter, in particular, opened up more creative headroom, which gave way to a higher percentage of implemented design concepts. Needless to say, Ganlu s performance in terms of revenue and profit improved tremendously from 2014 to Revenue increased by around US$5.68 million and profit by about US$7.4 million, and these results were largely fuelled by the mass production of competitive batchmanaged products, smart ring promotions and orders 2 JNA AWARDS

102 for patented pieces. The jeweller was able to increase its production volume to around 6.49 tonnes year on year, with its efficiency rating rising by percent. While Ganlu has been experiencing tremendous improvements on almost all fronts because of innovation, restraint still needs to be exercised. For disruptive innovation, we have to be more cautious since it requires high levels of expertise, qualifications and leadership, Ganlu said. This means adopting weaving technologies and tapping technicians from Italy. This has led to the disruption of our original production lines. Building smart workshops requires greater consideration for potential risks and needs a risk management plan, the jewellery maker continued. Stakeholder engagement Taking on the leading position in a highly competitive industry comes with greater responsibilities, new challenges and new learnings. Therefore, it is important that Ganlu builds and demonstrates its integrity and credibility among its stakeholders from its employees and clients to its business partners and the society in general. This integrity is ingrained in the company s corporate culture through its core values and ethical business practices. At Ganlu, values, experiences and wisdom are reflected on its employees output, which turns a mere manufacturing process into an exercise in creativity. The company s partnership system resulted in a flat organisation that enhances the management of decision-making, and where various departments work in synergy to achieve Ganlu s targets. at Hejun Business School where they can cultivate their skills with an international perspective. Setting a great example to his workforce, company chairman Zheng Gengjian serves as the third deputy president of the Charity Society of the Luohu District. Zheng has also been instrumental in raising millions (RMB) in donations for charity programmes in the area. Because of his selfless dedication to charity work, he was awarded with several honours including the Individual of Love from Pair and Help, Luohu Charity Outstanding Contribution Award (Enterprise Award) and the Guangdong Hong Mian Cup in In addition to his charity projects, Zheng empowers Ganlu employees to participate in community-related activities. Caring for the environment is just as important as caring for people at Ganlu. The company adheres to green practices through its new recycling and purification system, which is credited for increasing the manufacturer s recovery rate of raw materials, reducing wastewater and gas emissions, lowering the amount of dust and noise in the work environment, and limiting the use of hazardous chemicals. Corporate social responsibility lays emphasis on the contribution an enterprise is making to consumers, the environment and society. To be socially responsible, an enterprise has to combine its long-term development strategy with its competitive edge, driving its sustainability while creating social value, Ganlu concluded. Ganlu also makes its employees health and safety a priority. An Employee Assistance Programme kicks in during emergencies, extending support to employees and their families in need. Workers with psychological and behavioural concerns are enrolled in longterm assistance and support programmes. Providing employees with career advancement opportunities, the jeweller finances its senior managers executive courses 1. Gold jewellery collections by Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd 2. An employee operates one of Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd s tube winding machines at the jeweller s state-of-the-art workshop 3. Zheng Huanjian, general manager of Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd 4. Zheng Danli, vice director of Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd 5. Zheng Gengjian, chairman of Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co Ltd, leads the company s CSR initiatives JNA AWARDS 2016

103 SHENZHEN IDEAL JEWELLERY CO LTD 1 2 Categories: OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR GREATER CHINA RETAILER OF THE YEAR (450 OUTLETS AND BELOW) Country / Region: China 3 Established in 2002, Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd caters to women who love to be in the forefront of fashion. Just like the way a shining diamond represents purity and brilliance and magnifies light, Shenzhen Ideal s inspired designs and collections magnify the beauty, confidence and personality of the women who wear them. Ideal adheres to technological innovations in design, being the first company in China to introduce The Twinkle a special cut of diamond that has 3 million units sold so far. The 360-degree cutting technology, carved out of a 120-facet plane, amplifies the diamond s brilliance three times, breaking the traditional pendant diamond pattern. This is way ahead of local jewellery industry standards, according to the jewellery maker. In March 2016, Ideal received a total of 94 patents, including 82 for an article s appearance. The company s B2B model of franchising has resulted in the establishment of 363 brand outlets in 254 cities in China. Each terminal offers high-quality products covering a broad range of prices for the middle- to high-income target market. Each outlet also certifies and guarantees product authenticity, and provides customers with excellent after-sales service. Ideal also upgraded its store displays to sport a unified look, highlighting fine jewellery attributes such as the JNA AWARDS

104 4 shape and cut of diamonds. To strengthen its brand image, product displays also follow the same visual identification system that continues to improve with the latest technologies. The successful development and upgrade of the terminal guide system enabled the retail stores to conduct online purchase transactions either through mobile phones, computers or tablet peripherals, or by direct online sales to consumers. Having a unified inventory allows quick access and faster sharing of information in all the terminals. To promote brand loyalty, Ideal created a Terminal Operations Team in 2009, which goes around the country and visits almost all outlets to conduct promotional activities for customers and VIP clients, such as The Super Junior Party, Diamonds Exhibition and other VIP Club benefits. Popular artists and stars in China are also contracted to become brand ambassadors for Ideal, generating more interest and loyalty to the brand, as well as promoting the Diamond Culture in China. Traditional promotions are achieved across the country through lightbox, bus and LED advertising. Feature stories in airline magazines including the inflight publications of Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Aviation were also published. Each one served as a strategic media partner reaching more than 150 million people. The jewellery maker has also taken on China s social media scene through the WeChat platform. Ideal has online games and micro films, produced five times a year by the company, and these are all distributed online mainly through its website, These digital promotions are able to reach a broader and diverse audience compared with traditional advertising methods. These new technologies enhance the brand s image as forward-looking and relevant in today s fast-paced world. We established our electronic commerce centre in 2007 to create our own online mall. We also partnered with third-party online business platforms such as Lynx and Jingdong malls, Ideal said. Online promotions raise our brand s visibility. In fact, our online monthly brand exposure reaches millions of people. Of course, all the interest generated in the brand needs to be met with professional service. The jewellery maker s employees and staff are trained in its own network business school to help them achieve professional knowledge and personal growth. Ideal s success is also the success of its employees and partners, the company said. The jewellery manufacturer is also the first company to be a strategic partner for education through The Ideal College, which is affiliated with 11 universities. It has 3,500 students enrolled so far. Not only does the college provide a stable source of possible high-quality human resources for the company, it also outputs a steady stream of industry professionals who are determined to achieve sustainable development for the enterprise in particular and the industry in general. The jeweller also works with Shanghai Jiaotong University on Diamond Energy Research in order to raise awareness about the gemstone in China. These initiatives are the means to one goal: Deliver total customer satisfaction. Ideal s strategies are working because as of 2015, the company earned revenues of US$128.7 million, up 20 percent compared with the previous year. Green manufacturing Ideal has a production plant that spans nearly 10,000 square metres, with over 90 percent of the property used for production and processing purposes. Four 102 JNA AWARDS 2016

105 independent main production lines are fully engaged, with industry-level qualified production rates of 99 percent. Ideal also introduced a central dust recovery unit in its polishing workshop, each with self-dusting equipment that ensures workshop air quality meets standards and protects the health of employees. These machines also improve efficiency and reduce raw material yield losses. The jeweller also introduced 20 sets of the most advanced computer numerical control (CNC) carving equipment, making them the largest CNC machine company in the Shenzhen jewellery industry. The hardware include the computer lathe, a series of matching CNC equipment, and three types of machines: Spark, moulding and drilling. Through these modern tools, the jewellery maker shows its commitment to build new production processes and develop applications to meet customer demands. At the same time, the installation of a gas-filtration tower removes the impurities and harmful substances in the gas for processing, ensuring that the production process does not cause harmful pollution to the plant and surrounding areas. Productivity is improved while the enterprise fulfills its environmental and social responsibility. As the first jewellery business in Shenzhen to hold its IPO, Ideal strives to become an industry leader with established professional ethics and high standards. To this end, the company developed and released its Employee Self-Discipline Code and Travel Regulations, strengthening its corporate culture of cooperation, respect and professionalism in every channel and department. With more than 640 employees, Ideal s Employee Satisfaction Index and company loyalty is high since 43 percent of the workers have been with Ideal for five years or more. Sustainable development is also on Ideal s list of priorities, as the jewellery maker is formulating and compiling ISO 9000 standards for management, production behaviour and quality output. The Quality Control Department also developed and optimised inspection processes, ensuring that its diamonds are of high quality and ethically sourced. A total of about US$500,000 has also been donated to Children s Summer Camps in the past 10 years. Industry recognitions and awards Ideal s significant contributions to the industry and the community drew the attention of distinct organisations. Retailers Honor Association awarded Ideal the 2014 Guangdong Chain Top 50, 2014 Chain Stores in Shenzhen 50 Strong Enterprises and Top 10 Units of After-Sales Service Industry awards. The company was also recognised by the national jewellery industry, with the Chinese Jade Jewelry Industry Association honouring Ideal with a Corporate Credit Rating AAA-grade Credit Enterprise award. The Commerce Federation of Gold and Silver Jewelry Industry also awarded Ideal the 2014 Integrity Jewelry Brand title, and the Shenzhen Industrial Association presented the company with the 2015 Outstanding Enterprise for Social Responsibility accolade. This year, Ideal is among the honourees of the JNA Awards in no less than two categories: Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China and Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below). The JNA Awards promotes excellence and best business practices in the jewellery and gemstone industry, and because of that, we are deeply honoured to be nominated in these two important categories, the jewellery manufacturer said. This recognition inspires us at Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery to keep on pushing for the sustainable growth of the industry in China and the whole region. 1. A view of one of Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd s boutiques 2. Diamond pendant by Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd 3. Diamond rings by Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd 4. Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd Chairman Su Riming, fourth from left, and his management team 5. Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd staff volunteer their time, energy and talents to support local community projects All these management systems have greatly improved efficiency, reduced costs and losses, while increasing the social and economic benefits for the enterprise and the community where Ideal operates. As a way of thanking the community and customers who supported the brand through the years, the jewellery manufacturer established a charity fund to strengthen its commitment to social responsibility for future generations. Even today, the company is actively supporting the advocacies and projects of China Care Committee. 5 JNA AWARDS

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107 Value proposition A brand equity can only work if customers can easily relate to its promise. Sure enough, Sunfeel s nonsoldering technology has a lot to offer to its clients. Any sensible buyer and owner of gold jewellery can confirm that not all gold pieces in the market can claim to be pure. Sunfeel gold, however, confidently declares that its gold has a purity of percent precisely because it utilises non-soldering technology. Because of this technique, every piece of Sunfeel gold jewellery is guaranteed to completely keep its wearer s skin away from potential damage thus, the assurance of greater value with greater purity. Needless to say, this state-of-the-art technology has become a key growth driver within the gold jewellery manufacturing sector. Customers have come to develop their own standards when making their choices of gold jewellery, keeping in mind the value that Sunfeel offers. The brand s market success, through this technological breakthrough, has earned the nod of the China Gold Association, which awarded Sunfeel the first prize for Science and Technology in the gold jewellery product category. Spreading the message Sunfeel has the luxury of having a unique story in its solderless gold, and the company has been taking advantage of effective communication and marketing tools to spread this story. One method that has helped the brand cut through the communication clutter within the industry is the use of a celebrity endorser, international superstar Coco Lee (Li Wen), as brand ambassador. She became the face of Sunfeel in a TV commercial and programmes in CCTV, and would wear the celebrity line of Sunfeel gold jewellery at important events. The brand rose even higher in popularity as a result of this celebrity endorsement. These ads were placed in outdoor locations, and in online and print media. Some of the billboard ads were extensively placed in high-traffic areas including highspeed railways serving the Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing- Hangzhou, Shanghai-Shenzhen and Shanghai-Kunming routes. Public relations and other marketing and sales promotions likewise beefed up Sunfeel s entire awareness campaign. Premium store displays and decorations complemented the retailer s overall brand message. Building a global brand Sunfeel acknowledges the significance of being recognised by organisations within the industry, particularly accolades from the prestigious JNA Awards. This will further motivate Sunfeel into achieving greater things in our journey towards building a world-class brand. Moreover, this will also mark a milestone in our efforts to develop an international franchise, outlining our new blueprint for further development, said Sunfeel Jewelry s Wang Zhuo, who is also a JNA Awards honouree in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category. Looking ahead, the company views 2017 as a Year of Brand Upgrade. In the coming year, customers can expect more innovative and well-placed marketing activities that will be executed by the right management team and with greater flexibility and adaptability. To sum up, we will become a greater company by understanding and serving our customers to perfection consistently over the long term and building a worldclass brand, Wang said. 1. Customers browse through one of Sunfeel Jewelry s extensive gold jewellery displays 2. Gold bracelet and ring by Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd 3. Sunfeel Jewelry s Wang Zhuo, right, with Sunfeel brand ambassador Coco Lee The campaign was strongly supported by advertising materials that have reached out to a wider audience, further boosting awareness of the Sunfeel brand. The effectiveness of a branding strategy must be judged based on the size of the audience that a branding message has managed to reach, irrespective of the channel employed, whether traditional or new media, the jeweller said. 3 JNA AWARDS

108 WANG ZHUO SHENZHEN SUNFEEL JEWELRY CO LTD Category: YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (AGE 40 AND BELOW) Country / Region: China Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd shines through the leadership of its top brass Wang Zhuo, a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category of the 2016 JNA Awards. Creative and passionate, Wang displayed a leadership that resulted in the overwhelming success of Sunfeel. Leveraging its brand direct sales and franchise business models, the company has grown from more than 300 stores in 2010 to more than 1,600 outlets by March 2016 under her management. The continuous growth of Sunfeel Jewelry has been attributed to aggressive marketing and PR activities utilising the best of traditional, below-the-line and online channels. However, Sunfeel Jewelry s Wang believes that nurturing an energised and engaged workforce is the key to the company s success. An independent spirit Before taking the helm at Sunfeel, Wang was steering a different course in her career. After graduating with a degree in International Management from the University of London in 2006, Wang spent four years at the Shenzhen branch of HSBC where she moved up from a junior sales position to deputy branch head. Wang Zhuo (centre), CEO of Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd, is one of the fast-rising stars in China s jewellery industry ultimately chose to focus on creating gold jewellery with greater value and higher purity. Our efforts eventually paid off. Our non-soldering technique distinguishes us from our competitors, Wang explained. Wang may be instrumental in the continuing rise of Sunfeel Jewelry, but she is grounded enough to understand that the company s growth wouldn t be possible without the people behind her. Her focus on talent development and employee appreciation extends to the millennial generation. Since my childhood, my parents have given me a great deal of latitude by encouraging me to exercise independent thinking and finding my own way in life. Throughout those years, my parents have supported me and encouraged me to constantly seek greater challenges. In 2010, I decided to join Sunfeel, working alongside my parents. I was determined to help take our company to the next level of success, Wang shared. Although she came onboard only six years ago, there is no underestimating Wang s youth in the industry. Taking note of the Chinese economy s slower growth, slacking demand and tougher competition, she knew that Sunfeel needed to carve out a unique niche in the market and build its brand equity. The manufacturer As a member of the generation born in the 1980s in China, I believe that I am in a unique position to understand better the needs and aspirations of the younger generation. Based on such understanding, I am currently seeking to build an environment conducive to their career development. Specifically, the focus is on creating an environment of motivation featuring confidence, joy and openness. I believe the key to successful talent development is for management to motivate our young staff to leverage their strengths to contribute to our company. Once they feel that their efforts and contributions are amply recognised and justly rewarded, they will be motivated to continue to learn and contribute, thereby creating a positive feedback cycle, Wang said. 106 JNA AWARDS 2016

109 SHENZHEN XINGGUANGDA JEWELRY INDUSTRIAL CO LTD 1 Category: INDUSTRY INNOVATION / SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Country / Region: China It takes a great amount of knowledge and creativity for a jeweller to successfully fuse science with art. Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd can do just that, complementing its research and technology capabilities with excellent craftsmanship in manufacturing coloured gemstone jewellery. This worldclass jeweller employs a vertical management system from product research to retail, integrating design with intelligent manufacturing, cultural and aesthetic sensibilities, and deep collaboration. Xingguangda s large-scale operation gives the company the capacity to produce millions of jewellery pieces each year. Its product line includes collections in 18-karat gold set with diamonds and coloured gemstones, including jadeite stones. In 2015, the company recorded US$63 million in revenue. Founded in 1997, Xingguangda is exploring ways of expanding into international markets. Thus far, it has maintained strategic partnerships with global JNA AWARDS

110 accomplish this, employee participation in all aspects of the company s operation is encouraged and cultivated according to Xingguangda s core values of integrity, commitment, harmony and innovation. This culture of innovation within the company is imbibed in the following ways: Inspire each employee to establish a technology-oriented enterprise; nurture creative talents; research, build and complete an incentive mechanism; and train and educate the staff about advanced Internet, big data analytics and other technologies. 2 promotional agencies including the Asia Fancy Color Diamond Association, Platinum Guild International and the World Gold Council. Xingguangda has 800 employees and 3,000 sales outlets spread across China, which serve thousands of customers every day. Each and every employee espouses the culture of innovation that made the company a frontrunner for innovation and sustainability within the industry. We constantly strive for excellence, and this has been integrated into our corporate culture for many years. Everyone in the team constantly looks for gaps in production and learns from them; there is unquenchable thirst for self-improvement, progress and development within the company, the renowned gemstone jewellery manufacturer said. For its conscious efforts to raise the standards of jewellery manufacturing through its R&D initiatives and good governance, Xingguangda has once again shone at the JNA Awards, snagging a spot in the fi nals for the Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year category. The JNA Awards brings together the elite and well-known brands of Asia s jewellery industry. It builds an important platform for mutual information exchange and communication among Asian enterprises, paving the way for further collaboration and partnerships. It also encourages, inspires and fosters the growth and development of the region s jewellery sector, Xingguangda said. No stranger to the JNA Awards, Xingguangda was named Manufacturer of the Year Gem- Set Jewellery in 2013 and 2014, and was the recipient of the Sustainability ty Initiative of the Year Award in Culture of innovationn In an effort to build a fi ve-star jewellery dream factory, Xingguangda kept its focus on product and service innovation. In order to This culture of innovation creates fertile ground for our company s growth and advancement, Xingguangda affi rmed. Working with Xingguangda on its employee training programme are established institutions including the China University of Geosciences; Tsinghua University, Academy of Arts and Design (Shenzhen); Graduate School of Shenzhen University and the Nanjing Arts Institute. Xingguangda s talent development programme has yielded exceptional results, with some of its employees receiving attention and accolades for their work performances. In addition to building learning platforms for its employees, the jewellery manufacturer also motivates them to join various jewellery events in China and overseas. Thus far, four Xingguangda employees won excellence awards from these events. For 2016, the company gradually introduced its business partnerships systems wherein talented individuals who have been instrumental in making contributions to the company are given the chance to become enterprise partners. R&D milestones Xingguangda s R&D centre is prominently responsible for the company s extensive market research studies and business expansion, integrating its vision for design, craftsmanship, jewellery culture and marketing. The facility was acknowledged in 2014 as a Shenzhen industrial centre the only hub of its kind in China s jewellery sector to have received such a recognition. From 2014 to 2016, Xingguangda s R&D centre developed a signifi cant number of proprietary technologies that included patents for platinum casting methods using 3D printing technology, and diamond and micro-setting techniques among others. The company has more than 90 proprietary intellectual property rights, 15 utility model and JNA AWARDS 2016

111 Management integrity Xingguangda vigilantly safeguards the integrity of its business operations while protecting itself against risks. This principle extends to the company s participation in industry development programmes including the drafting of the pilot Anti-Bribery Management System that aims to standardise antibribery policies within the Shenzhen jewellery industry. The company has also made this technical guideline a part of its internal control and risk management system. design patents, and eight software-related copyrights. Xingguangda also has 39 patent applications that are awaiting evaluation. The company excels in digital marketing technologies. It has created an online wholesale showroom on www. ueton.com, the XGD Internet order sample room, and a mobile intelligence micromarketing service platform. Xingguangda s impressive milestones through its R&D centre have resulted in remarkable sales and business growth. In 2015, revenue rose by 5.46 percent, with profit growing by 8.92 percent from Product orders saw a 6.35 percent increase, with the number of clients growing at 10 percent year on year. In a survey conducted in 2015, 81 percent of its customers said they were satisfied with Xingguangda s offerings; 57 percent said they were very satisfied with the aftersales service; and another 57 percent said they were also very satisfied with product and service delivery. As a confirmation of the company s tremendous advancement stemming from its innovative systems, Xingguangda nabbed several awards including Top Chinese Company for Jewelry Inlay, Shenzhen Time- Honored Brand, China s Reputable Brand in the Jewelry Industry, Products of Trustworthy Quality and several others. 4 Xingguangda likewise takes corporate social responsibility seriously, with the company s core values delivering a positive economic, social and environmental impact. Despite economic challenges, Xingguangda has found a way to continue to operate with integrity and lead the industry with its focus on constant innovation. It recognises how new technology dictates the pace within the jewellery industry, posing new challenges that not every company is able to address. We should seize the opportunity to increase investments in innovation, including processes, operations, and product research and development. We must strive to enhance our capacity to advance technologically, strengthen our competitiveness, and fully grasp the leadership position in the market, according to Xingguangda. 1. Rubellite and diamond necklace and ring set in 18-karat pink gold by Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd 2. Lin Changwei, chairman of Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd 3. Flying Dream diamond bracelet by Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd 4. A Shenzhen Xingguangda employee works on a diamond inlay ring 5. Athena necklace and earrings by Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd 6. A Shenzhen Xingguangda employee appraises diamonds at the company s manufacturing facility 5 6 JNA AWARDS

112 SHENZHEN Y&M JEWELRY CO LTD Category: INDUSTRY INNOVATION/SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Country / Region: China 4 To be successful in a competitive jewellery industry, a company must foster a commitment from the entire team to embrace an innovative mindset. This is exactly what Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd s 1,200-strong workforce does, getting motivation from its elite clients who have stayed loyal to the brand for years. The company also draws strength from the strategic partnerships it has formed since it started in Y&M s extensive experience in research and development has led the company to become the global pioneer in acquiring a patent for the lotus diamond, which was registered in Japan, the US and Switzerland. It is also the only jeweller that uses the unique CaoCai and Glory Setting techniques on its jewellery products. Its Precise CNC Processing Center for Precious Metal Jewelry allowed the company to become the first in the domestic jewellery industry to achieve a multi-procedure integrated manufacturing system. Another strategic advantage that the company has in the market lies on its industry-leading production scale of innovative fashion jewellery for retail customers, and jewellery processing for industrial clients. As a leading jeweller, Y&M is expected to do more in terms of safeguarding the welfare of its stakeholders, workforce and the environment. To this end, the company has placed progressive sustainable mechanisms as part of its operations to keep its corporate social responsibility in check, while having a solid and positive impact on the industry. For these impressive efforts, Y&M has been named one of the honourees in the Industry Innovation/ Sustainability Initiative of the Year category of the 2016 JNA Awards. 110 JNA AWARDS 2016

113 5 6 7 Being recognised by the JNA Awards means our efforts in innovation and sustainable development are being acknowledged as significant for the jewellery industry today. Our initiatives represent our courage to go beyond the conventional and the traditional, while our sustainable business initiatives reflect our vision for the future, Y&M said. Industry peers have also recognised Y&M for its stellar performance. It has received awards such as the China Well-Known Trademark, Guangdong Famous Trademark, Shenzhen Key Cultural Enterprise, Shenzhen High-Skill Talent Training Center, Top 10 Brands in China in 2015, and Science and Technology Innovation Enterprise among many others. Strategic marketing In targeting today s generation of customers who plan to tie the knot, Y&M could not go wrong with its unique product called Rose D Amour. Partnering with branded retailers such as Cai Bai Jewelry, Changzhou Gold Store, Jeff Jewelry, Hui Hua Lou and Belov Jewelry, Y&M implements strong marketing campaigns and joins sales exhibitions to promote its jewellery brand. One of its more successful campaigns was the cross-sector event, The Art of Love, which was held in collaboration with Bazaar Jewelry. This jewellery and fashion banquet attracted more than 100 retailers and jewellery industry stakeholders. When Y&M held the global launch for its new diamond inlay technology, Glory Setting, VIPs from the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, National Gemological Training Center and the Diamond Exchange Center attended the exciting affair. Generally, Y&M s brand marketing events always draw the attention of hundreds of media representatives, government and academic leaders, industry peers and clients. These aggressive marketing activities further boosted the company s already growing customer base. By the end of 2015, Y&M added 45 new clients, which was a 14.9 percent increase from the previous year. Market intelligence Y&M s strategy is to predict market direction and use the business intelligence it gathers to formulate innovative measures that can be applied on its operations. Led by its company chairman, Lin Tianwei, Y&M cascades the information to the entire organisation for full implementation. All Y&M employees and executive officers work together behind a common corporate culture of innovation. This corporate mindset has helped Y&M sustain its competitiveness despite challenging economic conditions. We would rather look at the recession in a positive way; meaning, that a new economic era is coming. Those who can feel the pulse of the new economy by investing in technological and business process innovation will find themselves well ahead of the pack as soon as the economy comes roaring back, Y&M said. For a company that has been around for two decades, Y&M certainly has earned its stripes and learned several lessons along the way. For starters, the jeweller has a clear grasp of market conditions and deep understanding of industry trends. It is also important for businesses to be aware of their responsibilities and be prepared to take the tradeoffs that come with strategic development. The most important thing to remember, according to Y&M, is to always adapt to change, constantly innovate and cultivate new talent. JNA AWARDS

114 Stakeholder relations Employees, suppliers and the less fortunate members of society all form part of Y&M s stakeholders. The company believes that the welfare of its stakeholders should be an integral part of its sustainability efforts, taking into consideration how its operations will affect the community in general. Y&M recognises the important role that its employees play in its corporate social responsibility initiatives. Wellmotivated staff can help the company drive its strategic objectives forward, be it for business or community engagement. To motivate employees to align themselves with the company s operational excellence goals, Y&M employs career planning and incentive programmes, as well as accountability and allocation mechanisms. The company s OHSAS vocational health and security management system, for one, ensures its workforce s health and security. Y&M also has a talent development scheme that involves partnerships with several academic institutions and vocational schools. Thus far, the company has produced more than 7,000 skilled workers for the industry. To test the effectiveness of the company s employee development campaign, Y&M conducted a satisfaction and engagement survey in The results were encouraging, with the jewellery maker securing a rating of 3.63 points out of 5 a score that is considered higher than the industry average. Highly motivated, Y&M s staff are instrumental to the company s success and significant milestones. 8 The product development team, composed of 300 employees, has won a number of prizes in national and international design competitions for the company. Today, Y&M has 111 patents on inventions, utility models and software copyrights. It also has 24 intellectual property rights for design and four for overseas patents. Core values Y&M s sustainability initiatives do not only take into consideration the company s impact on the environment and its relationships with stakeholders they also drive the company to develop breakthrough solutions. In 2001, the company developed the cuttingedge H.E.E. environment-friendly processing system for water recycling and treatment. In 2010, it introduced the ISO environmental management system to regulate the impact of the company s products, services and activities on the environment. As a result, Y&M have met all national standard emission indices. Y&M also ensures data privacy and information security to safeguard its clients rights. The jewellery maker also pursues and maintains high ethical standards in the workplace, shunning illegal and immoral acts, and unacceptable business activities. 1. Shi Fang diamond necklace by Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd. This spectacular neckpiece won the gold prize in a jewellery design competition 2. The award-winning Baoxiang Flower ring by Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd 3. The Rose D Amour set that won the top prize at the third China Shenzhen International Jewelry Design Competition 4. Diamond ring by Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd using a new diamond inlay technology 5. Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd Chairman Lin Tianwei, right, with the company s director of technology, Xian Xinqi 6. Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd s CNC operation facility 7. An employee paints colourful patterns on the metal surface of a piece of jewellery using one of Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd s sophisticated equipment 8. & 9. Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd supports local charity and community programmes 10. The flag of Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd Y&M is raised on the summit of Mount Everest JNA AWARDS 2016

115 SHREE RAMKRISHNA EXPORTS PVT LTD 1 Categories: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR CUTTING & POLISHING OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR INDIA Country / Region: India Founded in 1964, the legacy of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd (SRK) as India s leading diamond manufacturer is unmistakably clear. With its status as a De Beers Sightholder, SRK is committed to excellence, with responsibility. The secret: Belief that success is not just about financial profits. Today, SRK is the largest manufacturer of 3-carat+ polished diamonds in the region. SRK s reputation as an ethical and dependable partner has spanned more than five decades, building confidence and trust in more than 7,000 client-partners around the world. Inspiring trust SRK s monthly inventory of more than 25,000 diamonds ranging from 0.30 carat to 10 carats, in almost every shape, clarity and colour gives its customers one of the widest ranges and options that will best meet their needs. In addition, SRK strictly follows a One Price & Fixed-Price Policy for all its clients regardless of their size, country or volume of share in business. This elimination of discrimination among clients is one of the pillars that makes its business among the best. Since the boom of e-commerce, SRK has taken almost 80 percent of its business online through platforms such as srkexport.com and isrk apps. Through SRK s e-commerce resources, clients can already search for their criteria and access details of more than 55 parameters of a single stone, supported by high-resolution photos, inclusion-plotting images, high-definition movies, certificates in PDF, Hearts & Arrows file, and more all the details that can help JNA AWARDS

116 million. Approximately 3 percent of its revenues comes from India, while 97 percent comes from sales in other countries, mostly in Hong Kong, the US, Israel, Belgium, the UAE and Canada. a client make the right decision in purchasing a diamond. SRK s e-commerce is safe and secure, so clients can relax and be at ease in the comfort of their homes as they make their purchases, assured of receiving their items directly delivered to their shipping addresses, with help from the world s best logistics service providers. This hassle-free direct distribution channel is among SRK s hallmarks that make its relationship with clients stronger and better. Customer satisfaction and happiness are the driving forces for SRK s modernisation and upgrades in the past decades. Initially, the lead time for delivering its products to clients was somewhere around 18 to 20 days. But with the amped-up investments in both men and machines, the company is now able to bring up its lead time to only nine days. This means that from day one, the rough material is introduced into the system, and by the ninth day, the final, polished diamond is completely ready. Of course, clients respond positively to SRK, mostly because of their interaction with SRK s employees they themselves reflect SRK s people-centric work culture, emphasising mutual respect regardless of designation or stature. Integrity, trust and faith are core principles embraced by SRK and its people, as they deal with one of the most precious treasures of the earth the diamond. At the heart of SRK s operations is its commitment to visibility and openness, which are benchmarks of integrity. All SRK systems, policies and procedures are also compliant with Best Practice Principles requirements pertaining to Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism, Bribery and Facilitation Payment, Preventing IT Theft, Bugs and Breakdowns, Quality Improvement for Customers and Suppliers, and Information and Data Privacy. This environment of openness and sharing of information help SRK maintain transparency and integrity in all its processes, which in turn builds up credibility and inspires trust. The results of SRK s investments in people, systems and machineries to exceed its clients expectations are astounding: In 2015, SRK s revenue amounted to US$975 2 Global recognition Since 2001, SRK has consistently been awarded and recognised by its industry peers and governing institutions. Most recently, SRK achieved the Skoch Order of Merit for Business Leadership in June 2016 at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai. The award came from the distinguished Skoch Group, and was given by its chairman, Sameer Kochhar, with Jayesh Ranjan, secretary-it (Telengana), to Prabhu Dholakia and Dr. Niav Mandir, representing SRK. It was in 2015 that SRK received the CanadaMark (Pipeline Integrity System) Certification from Dominion Diamond Corporation. Around the same time, SRK implemented ISO 9001: 2008 (Quality Management System), with a certification from the American National Accreditation Board through the British Standards Institute. The SRK Empire, SRK s state-of-the-art diamond manufacturing facility, was accredited the LEED-Gold rating by the US Green Building Council for its green and sustainable practices. The facility has also been named one of the Top 10 Green Buildings of India. In 2015, SRK also received the prestigious JNA Awards for Industry Innovation of the Year. This year, JNA Awards is honouring SRK once again. The diamond manufacturer is an honouree in two categories as Manufacturer of the Year Cutting & Polishing, and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year India for its stellar performance in manufacturing, and for the way it continues to achieve its enterprise goals. The JNA Awards provides us with an international platform to raise our brand profile, and the opportunity to gain insights about the latest developments and innovations in the industry, which we can tap for our organisational development, SRK said. Multiplying success This mantra holds true for SRK: Goodness is the only investment that never fails. 114 JNA AWARDS 2016

117 SRK s values, ethics and operating principles revolve around lifting people up, and encouraging goodness in them. One example is its organisational policy of having employees refer to each other using aap or tum (a Hindi second-person pronoun to denote respect), and adding the suffixes bhai or ben to their names. This behaviour of treating others better is endorsed by top management, instilling respect among employees, and fostering a family-friendly atmosphere. Duty to society is also important for SRK. We, at SRK, are always willing to stretch forth our hands to people and society in times of need, and we believe that s what has elevated us to this kind of growth as a company, SRK said. Success multiplies when it is shared. SRK reaches out to communities through the SRK Knowledge Foundation, which in June 2016 organised an event called, Hum Chale to Hindustan Chale at the Nadabet Border, Gujarat Frontier. Through this initiative, approximately 10,000 Desert Locust Extreme Weather Goggles, 7,000 mattresses, as well as 10 R.O. Water Filter Plants with 500-litre capacity were distributed at the Border Outpost. During that event, nine soldiers were given the SRK Indra-Dhanush Award in honour of their bravery, and 20 families of martyred soldiers were given tributes and financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 each. In the areas of education and agriculture, the SRK Knowledge Foundation also holds seminars for farmers in Gujarat, India. Scientists had been invited to deliver presentations on the latest agricultural processes at an Agricultural University event in Anand, with the theme Gujarat ni Krushi, Bharat ni Rushi. The governor of Gujarat, Shri O. P. Kohli, was the event s guest of honour. Through a Trust Fund, SRK provides monthly support to destitute widows and helps them purchase sewing machines. It also finances the education of orphans and organises mass weddings. Since 2000 to 2015, the Trust Fund has extended assistance to more than 65,000 financially disadvantaged individuals and more than 10,000 scholars, including students pursuing medical education. In addition to scholarships, SRK supports educational institutions across Gujarat, including the Shree Ramkrishna Institute of Computer Education and Applied Sciences, V. N. Godhani English School and V. N. Godhani Kanya Vidyalay (a high school established to promote girls education in the Surat region). In all these institutions, impoverished students are given free education. Today, these institutions altogether educate more than 3,000 girls, many of whom achieve high marks on the state merit list. As a company that endorses sustainable practices to help preserve the environment, community resilience is also something that SRK supports. The company has generously contributed to rehabilitation efforts after natural disasters such as the Gujarat Earthquake (where two villages were adopted and restored), and those affected by floods in Uttaranchal, as well as in Jammu and Kashmir. It s no surprise then that SRK was given the Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Corporate Social Responsibilities award by the Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) during the 13th FGI Awards for Excellence. SRK received the award through Shri Suresh Prabhu, honourable minister of Railways, GOI. Indeed, SRK s success is measured not only by its remarkable profits, but even more so through its positive contributions to India and to the jewellery industry worldwide. 1. Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Surat, India 2. SRK s diamond polishing facility 3. SRK s modern facility in Surat features a spacious and welcoming reception area 4. SRK s diamond sorting and grading facility in Surat 4 JNA AWARDS

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119 edition SG Pure Gold Bars. For instance, the brand partnered with Singapore s transport network, SMRT, and created a special gold bar edition Harmonious Society featuring Singapore Mass Rapid Transit trains, which were also made available at SMRT s e-commerce platform and promoted on the transit system s LED displays. During a special event called Transcending Gold held in celebration of Singapore s 50th birthday Singapore s largest 100g 999 Pure Gold Bar, which was specially created by SK Jewellery, was unveiled. This was covered by various print, digital and social media partners, and complemented by related events and exhibitions. The collection was also launched in all SK Jewellery stores in SG50-themed window displays featuring this milestone collection. Social media contests were also held on SK Jewellery s Facebook page to engage and excite their customers and followers. The result of SK Jewellery s innovative methods is remarkable. Amidst a sluggish retail environment in the region, the company had an 8.6 percent increase in total revenue in Their VIP customer base increased by 20 percent between October 2014 and March 2016 (a VIP customer is someone who spends over a certain amount on SK Jewellery products in order to enjoy special benefits and discounts). Established in 2003, the company is the largest jewellery retail chain store in Singapore, having an e-store and 26 showrooms in the country, plus 14 more stores in neighbouring Malaysia. They offer an extensive range of diamond, pearl and precious gemstone jewellery collections in white, rose and yellow gold, as well as 999 Pure Gold Jewellery. They also have an exceptional collectibles line, which includes commemorative gold bars and sculpted art pieces. SK Jewellery has exclusive distributorship rights to Disney collections, and the 81-facet 10-hearts 10-arrows ALLOVE Diamond. Ethical values SK Jewellery achieves all these milestones in sales, by building up trust and confidence for the brand and giving their customers peace of mind. The brand has worked actively with local authorities in Singapore, and with partners who adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. To serve their customers fairly and professionally, the brand has been accredited under the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), and the Singapore Jewellers Association (SJA) scheme, meeting the CASE- SJA s strict requirements to ensure the professionalism of the jewellery industry. SK Jewellery also submits to rigorous audits in business processes and ethical advertising. In addition, SK Jewellery s 999 Pure Gold products are also independently examined and certified by the Singapore Assay office. SK Jewellery also adheres to the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), a law that governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal data by all private organisations, as well as the Lemon Law Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, where consumers could make a claim for a defective product (also known as lemons ) sold to them within six months of purchase. SK Jewellery contributed relevant and valuable cultural artefacts and Si Dian Jin (bridal jewellery) for display during the inaugural Singapore Teochew Festival, and created a golden boat to signify the importance of early immigrants to Singapore. SK Jewellery also donated and supported various activities and campaigns of the Radin Mas CCC Community Development and Welfare Fund, as a way of contributing back to society. Culture and the arts are equally valuable to SK Jewellery, which is why the company is also committed to inculcating and passing on important values to the next generation. An avid supporter of the local arts scene, it regularly works with talented local artists to produce original art pieces inspired by SK Jewellery s 999 Pure Gold line. A portion of the proceeds is then donated to Pathlight, which is the first autism-focused school in Singapore. In the future, the company plans to continue to work with renowned Singaporean artists to link visual art with jewellery design and craftsmanship. In line with the brand s proposed theme, Beautifully Crafted, Meaningfully Told, artists will produce inspired art pieces that will be shown alongside jewellery creations at an exhibition. On top of traditional above-the-line 3 JNA AWARDS

120 media, the upcoming campaign will have a strong focus on digital and social media, with content created by key influencers and ambassadors. Their messages are intended to reach out to Generation Y couples or millennials who are altar-bound. Sparkling culture To foster a dynamic working environment, SK Jewellery embraces the culture of SPARKLE which stands for Sincerity, Passion, Attentiveness, Responsibility, Knowledge, Loyalty and Elegance. All 150 employees work and serve with SPARKLE in mind, which in turn leads to customer satisfaction. Monthly town hall sessions are also held, where top management and staff can interact, share new initiatives, and obtain feedback and suggestions from everyone. SK Jewellery values and invests in talent management and leadership development. From retail customer service executives to senior managers, all are encouraged to participate in training and coaching opportunities. Onthe-job assessments and performance appraisals are also conducted to evaluate and select talents. Many incentive-based programmes and performance achievement schemes are also implemented by the company, where high achievers are awarded with overseas trips to Japan, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong or Taiwan in recognition of their exceptional performances and to promote team spirit within the group. During the company s Annual Dinner-and-Dance event, top performers and team awards are given to promote excellence. Special honours and awards are also given to long-term employees who have served for five years or more. Employees are also encouraged to participate in initiatives to serve the community, such as the Singapore Teochew Festival, where employees joined various activities and creative performances, and at the same time learned more about the Teochew history and culture. Through these activities, SK Jewellery fully embraces the culture of giving within the organisation. In recognition of these accomplishments, the company has been awarded the Singapore Prestige Brand Award Established Brand in October 2014, and Asia s Top Influential Brand 2015 (Gold and Jewellery), for going beyond just providing products or services to its customers, as well as for the ability to connect with customers on the emotional level. SK Jewellery was also voted Most Popular Brand during the Singapore Prestige Brand Award Established Brand after an extensive round of public voting. The brand s success in the use of digital and social media was recognised by Heardable, a brand digital analytics company, awarding SK Jewellery in the Brand Digital Excellence Award Singapore For 2016, SK Jewellery reaches another milestone as an honouree of the JNA Awards under two categories: Brand of the Year Retail and Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below). These recognitions from colleagues and peers in the industry further establish SK Jewellery as a trusted jeweller, and Singapore s premiere destination for gifting. The JNA Awards recognises our core values of innovation and customer-centricity. We are truly honoured by this accolade, and this will motivate our people to give a more inspired performance, SK Jewellery stated. 1. One of SK Jewellery s luxurious boutiques 2. Diamond rings by SK Jewellery Pte Ltd 3. SK Jewellery Pte Ltd s management team 4. SK Jewellery supports local artists at an exhibition revolving around the theme, Transcending Gold. Pictured here are, from left, Albert Cheng, advisor to the World Gold Council; Teo Ser Luck, minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and mayor of the North East District; Dato Sri Dr. Peter Lim Yong Guan, chairman of Soo Kee Group; and Yeo Mui Hong, head of leasing at ION Orchard 5. The largest of its kind, the 100g 999 Pure Gold SG50 Golden Jubilee Gold Bar features a juxtaposition of iconic images from the past five decades of Singapore s nation-building JNA AWARDS 2016

121 SOO KEE GROUP 1 Category: OUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR ASEAN Country / Region: Singapore 2 There is fine jewellery for everyone at least from Soo Kee Group s three brands in Singapore and Malaysia: Soo Kee Jewellery, SK Jewellery and Love & Co. Cognisant of the evolving profile of its wide customer demographic, the Group creates jewellery that match distinctive tastes and preferences. While its products derive their design influences from both contemporary Western styles and Asian culture, the Group s precious pieces still invoke the uniqueness of Southeast Asia. Soo Kee Group is an example of a successful Asian jeweller that has grown together with the region s transformation over the past three decades. Together with the rapidly growing ranks of middle-class consumers, the demand for jewellery has increased significantly over the years, according to the company. With the belief to continuously challenge and go beyond what is expected, the Group is often the market leader and has created different brands and differentiated products to cater to a wide set of consumers. The Group s strong drive to innovate and challenge itself has also arguably shaped the jewellery industry in the region. Soo Kee Group was listed in the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited on August 20, It holds its JNA AWARDS

122 3 4 headquarters in Singapore where it has been present since its foundation in 1991, and has operations in Malaysia for nearly 15 years. The Group has over 60 stores located in shopping malls such as ION Orchard, Wisma Atria and VivoCity in Singapore, and The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Pyramid in Selangor and Gurney Plaza in Penang, Malaysia. Today, the Group employs a lean workforce of over 400 highly trained professionals. Soo Kee Group s remarkable growth and market performance in the region have placed it among the finalists for the 2016 JNA Awards Outstanding Enterprise of the Year ASEAN category. To be honoured as the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year ASEAN will be a testament to the Group s success and business excellence. It will not only raise the profile of the Group in the corporate environment but also put Singapore s jewellery scene in the limelight. As the only Singaporean jeweller in this segment, this honour also serves as a recognition of our country s jewellery and gemstone industry in the international community, according to the jeweller. This recognition will be a big motivation to all employees within the Group, inspiring us to continue going above and beyond and challenging ourselves to delight customers with our beautifully created products. Soo Kee Jewellery Soo Kee Jewellery targets the elite market segment, offering exquisite luxury gem-set and diamond jewellery. Through this brand, the Group pioneered the introduction of white gold and diamond jewellery in Singapore in Prior to the brand s launch, only yellow gold jewellery collections were being retailed in the market. Three years later in 1999, the brand made another breakthrough in the region when it launched the 66-facetted Brilliant Rose, which is a differentiated cut in diamonds. SK Jewellery Recognising the strong demand for fashionable jewellery and collectibles, Soo Kee Group launched the SK Jewellery line in Southeast Asia. The brand is positioned as the jewellery collection that is ideal for every significant or momentous occasion in one s life. Proprietary lines like the Star Carat; Disney Cuties and Princess; 81-facet ALLOVE diamond and SK 999 Pure Gold collections are widely received in over 40 stores across Singapore and Malaysia. The tremendous success of the extensive product launches and marketing campaigns by SK Jewellery reinvigorated the interest in pure yellow gold jewellery in the region. Today, other jewellers in Singapore and Malaysia have also jumped on the pure gold bandwagon, the Group said. Love & Co. Romantic love will always have a place for fine jewellery as the Group s Love & Co. brand proves. The brand offers made-to-order engagement rings and wedding bands, enabling the bride and groom to add their personal touches to the most important pieces of jewellery that they will ever own. The brand s signature designs include the LVC Lovemark diamond and LVC Promise collections. Introduced in 2007, Love & Co. has since become the preferred brand by couples who are celebrating marriage proposals, weddings and anniversaries. Winning initiatives Having just publicly listed the company, the Group is now looking at expanding its product lines, retail network and brand visibility. The Group recently launched SK Bullion, a holistic one-stop bullion service provider, offering buy, sell and insured storage services for investment-grade gold, silver and a wide array of other precious metals handpicked from reputable mints and refineries. The Group set the bar high for retailing convenience when it launched its SOOKEE estore to showcase its 120 JNA AWARDS 2016

123 wide array of certified diamonds. The platform featured cutting-edge presentations that allow customers to have a 360-degree view of a diamond at up to 40x magnification. In the interactive virtual trial room, the customers are able to accomplish their desired retail store transactions from wherever they are, 24/7. More product lines were introduced to include novel collectibles, keeping customers constantly excited and engaged. In conjunction with its 25th anniversary, the Group also celebrated Singapore s 50th year by producing limited-edition 999 Pure Gold Soo Kee Group commemorative gold bars. This was advertised in major newspapers, national television, digital portals, social media and below-the-line communication channels. The campaign was highly successful since consumer response was overwhelmingly positive and sales increased despite the pervading decline in general retail. As a result of these successive growth milestones in revenue (3.5 percent increase from 2014 to 2015), customer base (up 20.1 percent from 2014 to 2016) and digital media presence (181 percent increase in its Facebook fanbase from 2014 to 2016), the Group is also accredited from various organisations such as the Consumers Association of Singapore and the Singapore Jewellers Association. SK Jewellery, in particular, received the following awards: Asia s Top Influential Brand 2015 Gold and Jewellery, Singapore Prestige Brand Award Established Brand and Most Popular Brand in October 2014 and Outstanding Outlet Award under the Changi Airport Extra Mile Initiative. It shared the Brand Digital Excellence Award Singapore 2016 with Love & Co. for its outstanding online marketing strategies. With its impressive performance track record, Soo Kee Group keeps itself in check at all times as part of its commitment to business transparency and ethical practices. It submits its internal operations systems and procedures to an independent audit firm, complies with the Personal Data Protection Act, adheres to the Lemon Law under the Consumer Protection Fair Trading Act, and supports anti-money laundering regulations. To ensure that it only procures diamonds that are conflictfree and have come from legitimate sources, the Group sources its stones only from established miners and polishers who adhere to the requirements of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. As a responsible member of society, the Group is involved in cultural, art, educational and community development projects. Soo Kee Group also provides its employees from customer service executives to senior managers with talent and leadership management training programmes. A sound incentive package is also in place to motivate employees, awarding deserving talents with trips to exciting destinations such as Japan, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong and China. 1. Headquartered in Singapore, Soo Kee Group s building houses its research and design, sourcing, logistics, training and branding activities in support of the Group s retail businesses 2. Love & Co. s signature wedding band collection 3. The brilliance of diamonds is shown to maximum effect in Soo Kee Jewellery s fine collections 4. Soo Kee Group specialises in the design and production of jewellery pieces that are modern and timeless at the same time 5. Interior view of one of Soo Kee Group s Love & Co. stores 6. Soo Kee Group s management team 7. Exquisite diamond necklace for the contemporary women JNA AWARDS

124 XINGGUANGDA JEWELRY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To our Headline Partners, Honoured Partners, judges, entrants, table sponsors, media and guests joining our gala dinner: Thank you for your generous support and participation! Headline Partners Honoured Partners Table Sponsors 122 JNA AWARDS 2016

125 The JNA Awards is a result of great teamwork among many different parties whose professionalism, dedication and hard work have all contributed to its success. Organisers Project Consultant Marketing Editorial Production Digital Sales Edna Wong Yan Lee, Karen Yu, Grace Tam, Cecilia Lai Marie Feliciano, Olivia Quiniquini, Christie Dang, Sze Man Young Jessie Quek, Eva Kam, Eric Wong Fiona Wong Alex Leung, Christine Sinn Supported by Offi cial Newswire JNA AWARDS

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Rewrite your success October 2018 Chennai Trade Centre. with our legacy in South India s jewellery business. CHENNAI

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