JNA Awards 2013 Honourees Revealed
HONG KONG, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- JNA (Jewellery News Asia), main organiser of the second edition of the JNA Awards, proudly announced the Honourees across 13 categories of the JNA Awards 2013 at a press conference held on June 20, the first day of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The industry's most important mid-year B2B event, which ends on Sunday, is being held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
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The judging panel consists of five industry experts namely Albert Cheng, Managing Director of the World Gold Council -- Far East (WGC); James Courage, Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International (PGI); Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE); Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East; and Vichian Veerasaksri, Director of the World Jewellery Federation (CIBJO) and Advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA).
James Courage, Nirupa Bhatt and Vichian Veerasaksri were present at the media event.
This year, close to 90 highly qualified entries were received from 13 countries and regions, including mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates.
"We are very proud to announce the JNA Awards 2013 Honourees. Our list of Honourees serves as a testament to the fact that Asia's jewellery industry is full of thriving and innovative businesses and individuals with diverse talents. The quality of the entries has been outstanding, and it is an honour for UBM Asia to work closely with them to further develop the jewellery industry and market in Asia. We are delighted to extend our congratulations to them all," says Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia.
Letitia Chow, Chair of the JNA Awards 2013 Judging Panel, who is the Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development -- Jewellery Group of UBM Asia, adds, "The JNA Awards provides an invaluable platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance and achievements of enterprises and individuals in the jewellery industry. Due to the exceptionally high quality of entries in 2013, the judges found the process to establish a short list of Honourees both exciting and challenging. It was certainly a lot of hard work for the five judges. I am really very grateful to them for their efforts and contributions."
"We are delighted with the entries to the 2013 JNA Awards, a reflection of the global appeal of this important industry initiative. Rio Tinto congratulates this year's Honourees, and we look forward to the Awards ceremony in September," says Rita Maltez, Manager of the Greater China Representative Office, Diamonds Sales and Marketing, at Rio Tinto Diamonds.
Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, says, "Chow Tai Fook is proud to be a headline partner of the JNA Awards for the second year in a row. These awards highlight the importance of innovative designs, successful branding campaigns, sustainability, and international competitiveness. We believe the Awards will motivate Asian jewellery practitioners to adopt world class practices for the long term development of the jewellery industry. We're happy to see the growing number of entries this year and commend the finalists for their achievements."
Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook are Headline Partners of the Awards for the second consecutive year.
WGC's Albert Cheng, a member of the judging panel for the second year, says, "This year, we see more entrants and participants coming from different countries, bringing a more diverse background with them. Within each category, there is also an increase in the number of participants, which is very encouraging, particularly from China."
PGI's James Courage, who also served on the judging panel last year, adds, "It is good to see a mix of small and large enterprises joining the JNA Awards 2013, and they are in general of very high standard. Having more award categories this year also allows greater focus in new areas. I also noticed that there is a strong emphasis on social responsibilities and looking after employees' interest among the entries."
"It is very exciting for me to join the judging panel for the first time. The JNA Awards helps companies raise their standards and make continuous improvements. By organising the JNA Awards, UBM is helping industry participants realise this objective, and this is the only way to grow the industry," comments GIA's Nirupa Bhatt.
Vichian Veerasaksri of CIBJO adds, "This marks the first time that I have played a part in the JNA Awards, and I find it interesting and exciting to serve as a judge for such an important and prestigious event. I am looking forward to contributing to the JNA Awards in the years to come."
The following individuals and companies have been shortlisted as Honourees for the JNA Awards 2013:
Brand of the Year -- Retail:
- Jewelmer International Corporation
- Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
- PRIMO JAPAN Inc
Employer of the Year:
- Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
- Jewelmer International Corporation
- Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
- Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Industry Innovation of the Year -- Manufacturing -- Business:
- China Stone Ltd
- Odear Fashion Technology
- Sun Sang Jewelry Co
Manufacturer of the Year -- Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing:
- China Stone Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year -- Diamond Cutting and Polishing:
- Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
- J.B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd
- Kiran Gems Private Limited
- Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year -- Gem-setJewellery:
- Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
- Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year -- Precious Metal Only Jewellery:
- 3D Kaiente Jewellery Limited Company
- Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
- Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd
- Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year -- India
- KASHI JEWELLERS
- Kiran Gems Private Limited
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year -- Mainland China
- TTF High Jewellery
- Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd
Retailer of the Year:
- Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
- Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
E-tailer of the Year:
- Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
- Leibish & Co Ltd
- Plukka (HK) Ltd
Sustainability Initiative of the Year:
- Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
- Pranda Group
- Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 or below):
- Raphael Gubelin -- Gubelin Group Ltd
- Payal Shah -- L'Dezen Jewellery Co Ltd
- Zhou Defeng -- Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry CO Ltd
Remark: Deliberations are still ongoing for a few remaining categories. The shortlisted Honourees in those categories will be announced in due course.
The JNA Awards is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the global jewellery trade with an Asian focus. The Awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on 12 September 2013 (Thursday) during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong.
The JNA Awards 2013 is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties may submit their request by logging on to www.JNAawards.com.
Note for Editors:
1. About JNA
JNA, first published in 1983, is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group. The publication is a leader in providing the latest industry updates and in-depth reports, covering the international jewellery trade with an Asian insight. Following its success, the publication launched its online edition in June 2011.
2. About the Headline Partners
2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds (www.riotintodiamonds.com)
As one of the largest producers of rough diamonds in the world, Rio Tinto Diamonds enjoys an important presence in the international diamond market through its 100 percent control of the Argyle mine, 60 percent of the Diavik mine, 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine and an advanced diamond project in India. Rio Tinto Diamonds' productions are sorted and prepared for sale at its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, supported by a network of representative offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York. Rio Tinto Diamonds maintains an extensive industry intelligence network and a high level of customer and product support. The company also believes in supporting consumer confidence in diamonds and plays an active role in addressing key industry issues around product integrity and sustainable development. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry.
2.2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (www.chowtaifook.com)
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Chow Tai Fook), listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2011, is today's largest jeweller by market capitalisation in the world. With a heritage and long-standing reputation spanning more than 80 years, the iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" is recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for its product design, quality and value. Chow Tai Fook has an extensive retail network with over 1,800 points of sale spanning 400 cities in Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia, and a rapidly growing presence in e-commerce. Chow Tai Fook's fundamentals and growth dynamics are strong, and it aspires to become the world's most trusted Asian jewellery brand.
3. About the Honoured Partners
3.1 Gubelin
Since 1854, Gubelin has stood for the highest standards in jewellery and gemstones. With its wide range of selected gems and signature jewellery collections, the family-owned business has established its presence in Switzerland's premier locations including Lucerne, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lugano, St. Moritz and Geneva. Gubelin runs its first boutique in Asia at the famous Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the head of the business, now in its sixth generation, stands Raphael Gübelin. Besides the jewellery retail stores and the Gubelin Ateliers, the corporate group also comprises the Gubelin Gem Lab, a world-renowned scientific gemstone laboratory with its headquarters in Switzerland and an office in Hong Kong. As head of the company, Raphael Gübelin is continuing his father's business philosophy and nurturing the company's traditional values of genuineness, purity, exclusivity, quality and authenticity.
3.2 Israel Diamond Institute (www.israelidiamond.co.il)
The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Group of Companies is a non-profit, public interest company that represents all organisations and institutions involved in Israel's diamond industry. Israel is one of the world's leading diamond centres, and the Israeli diamond industry has an illustrious and impressive history dating back to the late 1930s. IDI works for the benefit of Israel's diamond industry. Its responsibilities include marketing and public
relations, technological R&D, promotion of rough sources, professional training, publishing professional literature and security consultancy. IDI is also responsible for industry participation in major trade fairs around the world, organising Israeli Diamond Pavilions, receptions, press conferences and other events at these fairs. IDI operates a representative office in Hong Kong, which fosters trade relations with Asian markets.
3.3 KARP Group
With over four decades of experience and expertise in the diamond trade, KARP caters to international luxury brands. Apart from being a DTC Sightholder, the group is recognised as an "institution" in the industry, using the most technologically advanced manufacturing systems in the business. KARP manufactures a huge array of products, from 0.005-carat goods to stones weighing 10 carats and above. It excels in the production of certified fine makes, fancy cut goods and fancy coloured diamonds. The manufacturer is one of the few companies that has achieved up to 5-micron precision in diamond manufacturing.
3.4 Robert Wan Tahiti
Based in Papeete, Tahiti, the Robert Wan Group is a global brand that focuses its activities around the culture of Tahitian pearls. The Group is represented in Europe, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, the Middle East and Oceania. The brand represents the culmination of Robert Wan's vision to create timeless exquisite pearl jewellery, from elegant chokers and sautoirs of gem-quality pearls from his farms in South Marutea. One of the industry pioneers, Robert Wan is known as the "Emperor of Pearls."
3.5 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)
The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only transaction platform authorised by the State Council for the import and export of diamonds in mainland China. It is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.
4. About UBM Asia
Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 18 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia. We have over 240 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia, we stage the leading events of their kind across the region. Our 200 events, 24 publications and 16 vertical portals serve over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant market news and industry trends, and round-the-clock online trading networks and sourcing platforms. We have 1,000 staff in 21 major cities across Asia, stretching from Japan to Turkey.
5. About UBM plc
UBM plc is a leading global company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, and from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,600 staff in more than 31 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business effectively and efficiently.
6. About UBM Awards
UBM Awards is UBM plc's awards organiser and producer. Based in London, UBM Awards specialises in end-to-end delivery of cross-sector awards programmes and bespoke events worldwide. UBM Awards organises more than 30 awards and bespoke events annually including the National Business Awards, the Asian Awards and the National Sales Awards.
For more information, please contact:
JNA
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852-2516-1630
[email protected]
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