The Jewelers Board of Trade is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with a Commemorative Edition Red Book in March, as well as a condensed guide to credit decision-making called The Dos and Don’ts of Credit, available this spring. 

Both publications will be provided to all JBT members. In addition, every member will receive a free month’s subscription to JBT’s New Claims & Bankruptcy Report in this anniversary year.

“We are thrilled to reach this extraordinary milestone serving the jewelry industry,” said JBT Board Chairman Harvey O’Conor, chairman of the Warwick, R.I.-based company. “The Commemorative Edition Red Book features our many advancements over the years in providing critical information and assistance to members with credit, collections, and marketing needs, along with to its primary purpose of delivering all JBT business listings in printed form.”

He added, “Many of our members are smaller businesses without a dedicated credit manager. The Dos and Don’ts of Credit guide to credit-decision making will help them ask the right questions and seek out the right information before they ship product. We want to give these members access to the same credit-decision considerations that larger companies utilize because of their additional staff.”

These initiatives follow a series of significant technological advancements, culminating in a vastly upgraded member Web site that is easier to navigate and for the first time provides online access to JBT’s database of more than 30,000 business listings and their principals through the JBT Advanced Search feature, which includes an upgraded credit report format and revamped credit rating system. Technology upgrades also allow members to place and monitor collections claims online.

“Today, not only do all JBT members have instant online access to credit reports, they can also sign up for JBT Credit Watch, which electronically notifies them of key changes to their customers’ credit information,” said JBT president Dione Kenyon. “Instead of wading through weekly updates containing aggregate credit data that may contain significant changes, members can receive this information simply and timely with email alerts from JBT Credit Watch, leaving them more time to concentrate on other business matters, especially in these challenging times.” 

Kenyon added, “Through numerous financial crises, JBT has remained steadfast for members. … Our independence as an organization ensures neutrality in the information we provide, while our commitment to honesty and integrity underscores our particular relevance today.”
 
The Jewelers Board of Trade is the only credit-reporting agency focused exclusively on the U.S. jewelry industry. Founded in 1884 as a member-based organization, JBT now serves 3,000 domestic and international members. The organization provides online credit reports, collections services, and database marketing tools.

JCK