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Nationwide Jewellers members at the Gold Coast conference
Nationwide Jewellers members at the Gold Coast conference

Aussie jewellery industry parties like it’s 2016!

Celebrations abound in 2016 as a number of businesses reach milestone birthdays. Jeweller joins in on the festivities by profiling some of the organisations marking important anniversaries this year.

Nationwide Jewellers celebrating 25 years young

In March this year, Australia and New Zealand’s largest buying group, Nationwide Jewellers, held its annual conference at the Gold Coast. While there was much to celebrate about being in a coastal town – in the ‘Sunshine State’, no less – the event was extra special because it marked the group’s first official engagement to celebrate its 25 years of operation.

The conference rooms at QT hotel were a far cry from the small office at the back of Colin Pocklington’s house where he and fellow founders Barry Jackson and Maurie Lewis (who is no longer with the group) spent much of 1990 researching and developing their business model.

Pocklington says there are many achievements over the past 25 years that come to mind, including helping members to improve their skills by bringing international experts like the Diamond Trading Company’s Enea Galusero and renowned diamond cutter Sir Gabriel Tolkowsky to Australia.

However, he believes the group’s Antwerp Diamond Marketing program has been the most “outstanding achievement”.

“Since 1999, our members have collectively made over 600 trips to Antwerp and achieved many millions of dollars in additional diamond sales,” Pocklington explains, adding that his favourite part of being involved in the industry is helping hardworking members grow their businesses and achieve greater returns.

When Jeweller spoke with some of the founding members – a combination of retailers and suppliers – at the conference in March, the support provided by Nationwide as well as its international buying trips were noted as highlights. A unique culture was also pinpointed as a contributor to the group’s longevity.

“Plenty of people comment on the ‘family’ effect,” Paul Ward of Paul Ward Jewellers in Toronto, NSW says. “We all know each other. There are people we know from New Zealand and it all becomes very family oriented.”

'Supplier Ted Pevy from the Jewellery Centre adds, “They have great social nights – believe me! The family atmosphere means that at their dinners and social events, suppliers are able to get closer to customers; if you are relaxing together, everyone gets to know and trust each other.”

There were some 100 members in attendance at the Gold Coast event, and there would be plenty of opportunities for Nationwide’s 420-plus members to celebrate throughout the year. One example was an overseas trip to America where the group visited the JCK Las Vegas trade show in June, and there is of course the upcoming Sydney International Jewellery Fair where a special 25-year anniversary dinner will take place.





Jeweller editor Emily Mobbs attended the Nationwide Jewellers conference in March courtesy of the buying group.

 


 


Sams Group Australia – 50 years

Founded by: 
Sam Der Bedrossian

Known for:
Classique watches and more recently Pink Kimberley Australia, among other brands

Proudest moment/achievement?
Sam Der Bedrossian: A couple of things spring to mind. The first is receiving a commendation for NSW Exporter of the Year in 1987. This related to the export of opal watches that consisted of single-slice opal dials, which I pioneered. Most importantly, I must mention that I could not have achieved all this without the love and support of my wife Alice, who has always worked alongside me whilst bringing up our children. Of course, Alice and I are very proud to have our son, Steve, now driving the business to its continued success.

Favourite part of working in the jewellery industry?
The constant challenge and thrill of creating something new to show my customers and, in turn, having them achieve sales success with their customers. I am equally proud that I have many loyal customers that I have developed relationships with over the years as a result of our service and reliability.

Special celebrations?
It’s all under wraps.



 


 


Chemgold – 30 years

Founded by:
Wynn and Jenny Sher

Known for:
Casting and CAD/CAM services

Proudest moment/achievement?
Jenny Sher: A great achievement was Larry and Darren Sher [Wynn and Jenny’s sons] taking over the business and taking it to new heights with their exceptional expertise in their respective areas. Another extremely proud moment was saving the business after two fires in the last 10 years. Quick thinking and pure strength of purpose from Larry and Darren had Chemgold up and running in no time after experiencing almost impossible conditions. In both cases, we were also touched by the support we received from customers, staff and suppliers.

Favourite part of working in the jewellery industry?
Darren Sher: Overall, our favourite part is looking after our customers across Australia and the strong relationships and friendships we have built with them over all these years.

Special celebrations? 
Jenny Sher: As a celebration, we are inviting customers by appointment to visit and tour our new factory [opened in November 2013]. We are also celebrating with our staff who have been instrumental in our success for the last 30 years.



 


 


Najo – 30 years

Founded by:
Jo Tory

Known for:
Sterling silver jewellery

Proudest moment/achievement?
Jo Tory: We have always been known to be a supplier of high-quality, well-crafted silver jewellery, but to be recognised as an Australian brand with a complete visual story and identity – this has been the greatest achievement.

Favourite part of working in the jewellery industry?
Collaboration with jewellery industry colleagues that I have known for so long.

Special celebrations? 
We have been celebrating all year! I have designed a limited edition Anniversary collection that features one of my favourite stones, lapis lazuli, set in 18-carat gold and silver. Earlier this year, we advertised a design competition that was open to jewellery students, apprentices and young designers. One of the winning designs will be included in the Najo collection next year, and I would like the competition to be a yearly event. We also decided to finally partner with the foundation White Ribbon. This is a charity that is close to my heart and it will be an ongoing partnership. Finally, we are having a big party to celebrate!





 


 


Pastiche – 30 years

Founded by:
Barbara and Phillip Hastings (acquired by Amy and Chris Bradley in 2015)

Known for:
Sterling silver and stainless steel jewellery and Lovelinks

Proudest moment/achievement?
Barbara Hastings: Building Pastiche from its humble beginnings as a market stall to the international brand it is today has truly been the ride of a lifetime. Phillip and I are very proud of what the business has achieved over the years, the wonderful staff we have had and the friends we have made.

Thoughts on taking over a well-established business?
Amy Bradley: One of my absolute favourite things about Pastiche is that it was already a loved and respected brand. Chris and I felt honoured to be a part of its next chapter. Barbara and Phillip did such a wonderful job building this business, and Chris and I have been taking great care to refresh the brand’s identity.

Special celebrations? 
Amy Bradley: The entire Pastiche family, including Barbara and Phillip, will be getting together for a big birthday bash. For our stockists, we are launching a window display competition, and for our fans [customers], we have already kicked off a blogging competition on Facebook and Instagram.





 

 


 


Kagi  10 years 

Founded by:
Kat Gee

Known for:
Mix-and-match gem-set jewellery

Proudest moment/achievement?
Kat Gee: This would be handing a cheque for more than $10,000 to the child cancer foundations [Child Cancer Foundation and Kids with Cancer Foundation Australia] across Australasia. It’s so rewarding and incredibly humbling to be able to support such worthwhile charities, and we were thrilled with how much retailers got behind our Hope Drops and Hope Daisy ranges.

Favourite part of working in the jewellery industry?
I mean, who doesn’t love jewellery! We are dealing with such a beautiful and inspirational product, which makes all the hard work worth it. 

Special celebrations?
We recently held the ‘Are you the next face of Kagi?’ competition. The winners will appear in a marketing campaign for our new season Champagne Bubbles anniversary collection. Rather than having a special event, we would rather put our budget and energy into further supporting retailers through the busy Xmas period. I’m sure that in December, my Kagi team and I will kick up our heels and celebrate with a quiet bottle of bubbly... or five!

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