JNA Awards’ Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year draws overwhelming response

This year, the JNA Awards has consolidated two categories that are judged against a similar set of criteria. Industry Innovation of the Year and Sustainability Initiative of the Year – both standalone categories in previous years – are now known collectively as Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year. By refining the criteria and streamlining the categories, the JNA Awards has become “more reflective of current industry aspirations” and “maintained the relevancy and rigour of the awards,” according to the awards’ esteemed judging panel.

 

The judging panel comprises of five esteemed industry experts, namely Albert Cheng, Advisor to the World Gold Council (WGC), Far East; James Courage, former Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council; Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange; Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East; and Yasukazu Suwa, Chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc.

 

This category is open to companies that best demonstrate the impact that their innovative, corporate social responsibility or sustainable initiatives have on their respective operations and the industry at large.

 

The eight Honourees, shortlisted companies, in the Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year category are:
• Beijing Cai Shi Kou Department Store Co Ltd
• Gübelin Gem Lab Ltd
• Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd
• Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd
• Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd
• Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
• Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
• Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd

 

Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, remarked, “We are thrilled to receive such enthusiasm for this category with a record-setting number of Honourees for any one category in the history of the JNA Awards.”

 

“Industry innovation and business sustainability are two long-term driving forces in spearheading the growth of our industry. Over the past decade, the significant growth in the jewellery business in Asia was not only a reflection of the increasing buying power from the middle-class customers, it was also the extra effort put forth by retailers, manufacturers, designers and entrepreneurs in these two areas to enable us to stay relevant and agile to the changes of the external environment,” said Cheng of WGC.

 

GIA’s Bhatt shared, “While innovation is and will remain a priority for many businesses around the world, there is an increased awareness on the importance of corporate social responsibility. Businesses are expected to act responsibly toward both the environment and society. I am pleased that the JNA Awards encourages members of our industry to contribute to the greater good.”

 

“The fact that this category has the most number of Honourees reflects the view of today’s entrepreneurs that innovation and sustainability are important elements in achieving business success. Meanwhile, with seven out of eight shortlisted companies are from Mainland China, this shows that Chinese companies no longer rely on copying the inventions of others, but they are finally breaking their own grounds,” noted Lin of SDE.

 

A representative of the Shenzhen Luohu People’s Government commented, “The JNA Awards is one of Asia’s most influential awards programmes in the international jewellery and gemstone industry; its authoritative status, impartiality and recognition are second to none.

 

The Luohu government has been committed to promoting the development of the jewellery industry and we are extremely inspired and proud to learn that six leading Shenzhen jewellery companies are shortlisted for Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year. In addition, we would like to commend these companies for continuously innovating and achieving sustainable development even in today’s challenging market conditions.”

 

Courage added, “The jewellery manufacturers of Shenzhen have long been pioneers in innovation, with a growing need to balance the rising consumer expectations on quality and design with cost and competition, which leads to greater investment into the development and adaptation of technologies to jewellery applications.”

 

The winners of the 2016 JNA Awards will be announced at the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, 14 September, or the second day of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, at the InterContinental Hong Kong.

 

The much-anticipated gala dinner is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties can book their seats now by submitting an online application form.

 

For more information, visit http://www.JNAawards.com/ or contact: