MJSA Member News
Below are some of the recent activities of MJSA member companies. Members can send updates by e-mailing MJSA.
Richline Acquires U.S. Cookson Material Products Group
The Berkshire Hathaway-owned Richline Group, which has built up a sizable stable of jewelry brands over the past few years, has added more to its collection. In March, the company forayed into the supply side of the manufacturing industry when it entered into an agreement to purchase the U.S. Cookson Material Products Group, one of the industry’s pre-eminent suppliers of mill products, findings, and chain.
Under the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be completed by early May, the Attleboro, Massachusetts-based Cookson Group will be renamed "Leach & Garner Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company." The entity will comprise several of the core Cookson brands, including Stern-Leach (mill products), Excell (pendant chain), and Hallmark Sweet and General Findings (beads, chain, and findings). According to a release, this new "Manufacturing Group" will also meld with another Richline company, Prime Time Manufacturing in Warwick, Rhode Island, a leading manufacturer of high-volume promotional findings and jewelry.
"Our strategy will be to manage the Manufacturing Group as a separate business committed to supplying the jewelry trade, along with other associated industries, with a high level of service and continued quality, while supported with enhanced investments into the development of innovative products," said Joe Esposito, executive vice president of manufacturing at Richline.
Another Cookson brand, Inverness, specializes in ear-piercing products and will be run by Richline outside of the Leach & Garner Group, as a separate retail brand. According to Alan Kaufman, Richline executive vice president, the company is committed to serving Inverness’s existing customers seamlessly through the transition.
While the purchase price of the sale was undisclosed, the gross assets of the businesses being acquired by Richline are approximately $69.8 million, and the net assets are approximately $60.2 million, according to the Cookson Group.
Stuller Inc. Appoints Executive Vice President
Jeff High has been appointed executive vice president, Gemvision and innovation solutions of Stuller Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana. Stuller and Gemvision in Davenport, Iowa, formed a strategic partnership in 2009 with the goal of enhancing customization tools for retail jewelers. The partnership produced CounterSketch Studio, a 3-D jewelry design platform that allows retailers to work alongside their customers in creating one-of-a-kind custom jewelry pieces. Gemvision founder and president, High will continue his responsibilities with Gemvision but will coordinate the activities between it and Stuller.
Hoover & Strong Acquires Performance Contracting
Hoover & Strong in Richmond, Virginia, recently acquired Performance Contracting, a New York-based division of Carrera Casting that specializes in machine-set bands. "We are very excited about this acquisition," said Torry Hoover, president of Hoover & Strong. "The combination of knowledge and experience from both companies...along with the combination of Hoover & Strong’s high-tech state of the art machinery and the equipment from Performance means Hoover & Strong’s product range is greater than ever before."
Sustainable Design Award Winners Announced
Johnson Matthey NY recently announced the winners of its second annual Sustainable Design Awards, which were created to give emerging designers the materials and opportunities to realize their designs in platinum and palladium. The following award winners had their designs judged on creativity, wearability, and manufacturability: Jason Dow of Jason Dow Jewelry in Honolulu; Charlie Herner of Green Lake Jewelry in Seattle; Edit Simon of Edit Simon Jewelry in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Susan Suh of Susan Suh LLC in New York City.
Findings Inc. Hires New Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Elizabeth Brehmer has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Findings Inc. in Keene, New Hampshire. An industry veteran, Brehmer joins the company with more than 30 years of experience in product development and market communications. A past presenter at industry events, including MJSA Expo New York, JA New York, and AGS Conclave, Brehmer most recently served as vice president of findings and remounts for Stuller Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana.
David Yurman Inc. Appoints New CEO
Glen T. Senk has been appointed chief executive officer of David Yurman Inc. in New York City. Most recently serving as chief executive officer of Urban Outfitters Inc., Senk was ranked with Fortune Magazine’s Top 50 Businesspeople of the Year and named the FGI Corporate Leader of the Year in 2010. He serves on the boards of David Yurman, Tory Burch, and Melissa & Doug. "We have known and respected Glen for more than a decade-as much for his creative vision and inspired leadership as for his exceptional management and operational ability," said company founders David and Sybil Yurman. "His arrival will allow us to truly focus on what we love doing-designing-while we collectively build an even greater global brand and the company we’ve always wanted."
JVC Makes Staffing Changes
Sara E. Yood has been named assistant general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) in New York City. In her role at JVC, Yood will be focused on trademark monitoring, Federal Trade Commission review of the jewelry industry guides, and general legal support. Currently awaiting admission to the New York State and New Jersey Bars, Yood is a graduate of the Fordham University School of Law and has held several positions in the private sector, including the digital music, intellectual property, and publishing industries.
In related news, Suzan Flamm has been promoted to senior council. Originally joining JVC in 2008 as assistant general counsel, Flamm conducts mediations, researches legal issues, and drafts legal compliance tools, articles, and case studies for trade publications and JVC’s website. She has held several positions in both the public and private sectors, including as an assistant district attorney, deputy commissioner, and a special assistant U.S. attorney.
Umicore Plant Certified for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
Umicore Precious Metals USA in Attleboro, Massachusetts, has announced that its jewelry production site and precious metals refinery in Markham, Ontario, Canada, has been certified for both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. These certificates are awarded to companies that use strict procedures and strive for continuous improvement in quality and environmental performance. Umicore currently requires that all of its production sites have both certifications.
GIA Adds New Diamond Grading Report
GIA recently added a new diamond grading report option to its existing slate of services. Delivering results online, the new GIA Diamond eReport is available for natural, D-to-Z color diamonds from 0.15 to 2.99 carats. Offered at a lower fee, this new digital-only report provides instant access to report results.
Esslinger Creates New Facebook Presence
In an effort to better reach its customers, Esslinger & Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota, recently finalized its new Facebook page, Esslinger Watch and Jewelry Supplies. Citing a need for a greater social media presence, Esslinger has worked to create an atmosphere where its customers can share and interact with the company online. "We became more involved [with social media] to be more engaged with our customers," said Mark Esslinger, CEO. "We want to understand them better, and give them easy access to information about us." Customers who "like" the company’s Facebook page become eligible for special sales and deals, as well as gain access to company videos and a place to have their questions answered.
Leo Schachter Purchases Floor Space at International Gem Tower
Leo Schachter & Co. announced that it has purchased over 11,000 square feet at the International Gem Tower in New York City. Upon the tower’s completion later this year, Schachter & Co. will move its New York operations into the new, state-of-the-art headquarters. "For the past two years we have been considering purchasing at the IGT as a way to consolidate our different lines of business into one location in New York," said Elliot Tannenbaum, principal of the company. "[This] agreement to purchase the tower floor not only gives us a prestigious environment within which Leo Schachter management and professional staff can take great pride, but will also serve as a premier venue to welcome our valued customers."
GIA Plans New Laboratory in Japan
As part of its plans to expand its lab capacity, GIA has announced plans to establish a laboratory in Japan sometime this year. "We are excited to develop a presence in Japan," said Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA. "GIA’s mission is to promote the public trust in gems and jewelry and, as such, we will do everything within our means to carry forth this mission in Japan and to assist the Japanese diamond community in furthering these goals."