by painting pieces with gold
The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), the jewelry industry’s
trade group based in Providence, has opened its membership to foreign companies.
But American-based manufacturers and suppliers will remain the only voting members.
At the organization’s annual meeting last month at the Providence Biltmore, 200
attendees – out of 1,500 total members — voted unanimously to approve the amendment,
allowing international jewelry manufacturers and suppliers to join the group.
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Other members also voted by proxy to support the measure, according to John Harvey,
MJSA’s communications director.
"This amendment responds to MJSA’s greater involvement in the integrated
global economy," said James Marquart, MJSA president and chief executive
officer. "It also gives the association greater leverage when negotiating
fair international trade practices."
According to Harvey, the amendment does not allow international members to hold
positions on the organization’s 25 member Board of Directors, or the five-member
Executive Board, which puts forward all changes to the organization’s bylaws.
In addition, Harvey said, international members will not be able to vote on any
proposed changes.
"When you get right down to it we are the manufacturers and jewelers of America,"
Harvey said. "The group still needs an industry advocate in the United States
and that is us. Our mission could have changed significantly if we allowed foreign
members to vote."
Still, the change in membership comes at a time when many American jewelry companies
find themselves in competition with foreign companies, which can often produce
the same product for a lower price. According to Marquart, MJSA has received hundreds
of international membership inquiries within the last six months. The organization
already had ties with similar foreign trade organizations like the Canadian Jewelry
Association and the British Jewelry Association.
"We already have some ties with international trade associations," Harvey
said. "We have a number of people inquire about joining MSJA and wanting
to work closer with American Manufacturers and suppliers. The new amendment just
makes it a little more inclusive."
Harvey said it is the hope of the organization that the extended membership will
result in increased communication.
"We look at it is a cooperation as opposed to competition," Harvey said.
"It’s going to be very helpful to get international and domestic companies
talking to each other and finding common ground."
Harvey said allowing international members into the organization could also result
in a unified lobbying effort for common goals such as the World Trade Organization’s
Accelerated Trade Liberation, which would lowers tariffs and address other non-tariff
barriers. The MJSA has been supporting passage of this for more than a year.
Harvey said currently when foreign manufacturers send products to the United States,
they face tariffs of up to 10 percent. But, he said when American manufacturers
export to foreign market they face tariffs of anywhere from 40 to 100 percent.
"This would create a level playing field," he said. "With greater
communication and cooperation at this level it’s going to be very helpful in facilitating
networking. If business can talk to each other and find common ground it can become
a grassroots effort."
Harvey said there is little concern about increased competition for American companies
as more international members will be able to display at trade shows, and other
MJSA events.
"I think it will just make trade shows more effective," he said. "It
will be easier for a machinery supplier from Germany to show their product and
easier for a jewelry manufacturer from Providence to buy that equipment. American
manufacturers will still be able to show off their machinery and the best product
will prevail."
