British retailers may be kicking themselves at ignoring independent watchmakers for too long because the rest of the world is reaping the rewards of supporting artisans over the past decade.
MELB Holding, for example, the holding company of H. Moser & Cie., Hautlence and Precision Engineering, has created a wholly-owned operation in America.
MELB Americas joins subsidiaries in Asia and the Middle East, and has been created after a period of exceptional growth in this market.
H. Moser & Cie. sales increased by 50% in 2020 and that momentum continued into 2021, the company says.
“The creation of MELB Americas marks a pivotal moment in the trajectory of H. Moser,” says Edouard Meylan, H. Moser & Cie. CEO.
“We see huge possibilities and potential in the US, and this represents a big milestone for us.”
With order books full, many independents are refusing to entertain retailers wanting to jump on their accelerating bandwagon now.
