(PRESS RELEASE) MJSA, the trade alliance dedicated to professional success in jewelry making and design, has launched the MJSA Member Protection Package, a portfolio of member benefits aimed at helping its members take advantage of best-in-class business services.
“Our members face constant challenges, from securing supply chains to ensuring orders are delivered on time,” says MJSA president/CEO David W. Cochran. “They rely on MJSA to help them not only respond to these challenges, but also adapt to change and anticipate potential disruptions. That’s why we’ve assembled a portfolio of leading business providers covering a spectrum of services—from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products to satisfied customers. We’ve done the due diligence necessary to ensure our members can access the best help available to protect their businesses and remain profitable.”
The providers range from industry-specific experts to world-renowned brands. In many cases, MJSA members receive discounts as well as additional services—including support from MJSA staff, who can facilitate connections and answer questions.
Cochran emphasizes that the portfolio is by intent a dynamic offering: MJSA will continue to add to it as needs arise, to ensure its members have the best protection possible. Current Protection Package providers include:
- Shipping Solutions: Parcel Pro. Offering a choice of carriers (including UPS and FedEx), Parcel Pro offers a full range of services, from Next Day to Ground to International. Its technologies enable industry-best procedures to mitigate risk and provide end-to-end protection for high value shipments. Plus, MJSA Premier members are eligible for exclusive rates far below industry average.
- Precious Metals Leasing and Commercial Lending: TD Bank Group. When Scotiabank decided last year to limit lending by its ScotiaMocatta metals unit, many jewelry manufacturers, refiners, and metals suppliers faced a void. MJSA enlisted the TD Bank Group and its metals subsidiary, TD Securities, to help fill that void. TD Securities leases precious metals to users around the globe, and it has the expertise necessary to help members navigate the metals markets effectively. In addition, qualifying MJSA members who work along the Eastern Seaboard can take advantage of TD’s commercial lending arm (TD Bank N.A.) to simplify the leasing process.
- Insurance Solutions: Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group. For more than a century, Jewelers Mutual has been the only insurer solely dedicated to serving the jewelry industry. It offers a range of coverage options for manufacturers, suppliers, custom jewelers, and designers, including Jewelers Block insurance and business owners policies. Their offerings range from custom policies for designers (starting at $500 annually) to a full review of a manufacturing operation. For many MJSA members, such consultations can lead to significant savings.
- Trade Credit Insurance: One Source Risk Management & Funding. Over the past several years, as the jewelry industry has consolidated, many companies have seen their receivables become concentrated among a few core customers—a development that only increases their risk. To help mitigate that, MJSA has teamed up with One Source, the largest independent agent of the global insurer Euler Hermes. One Source offers MJSA members trade credit insurance from Euler and other firms to help protect their receivables in the event of defaults.
For a full list of providers, go to MJSA.org, or contact MJSA Customer Service Manager Betty Costa at 1-800-444-MJSA (6572), ext. 3050, betty.costa@mjsa.org.
To join MJSA and take advantage of this and other benefits, contact MJSA Sales Director Lucy Ferreira at 1-800-444-MJSA, ext. 3020, lucy.ferreira@mjsa.org.