For many, attending a trade show or exhibition in the watch industry has its difficulties but on the whole, is a pretty straightforward experience.
However, when it comes to getting product in and out safely, securely and on time, the brands exhibiting can spend umpteen hours checking and liaising with venues to get the peace of mind that precious new releases will be just that, safe, secure and on time.
That’s where Malca-Amit comes in. A business founded in Israel in the early 1960’s, Malca-Amit has a vast experience and portfolio to reflect on which boasts the Baselworld days as part of it. This year, ahead of the long-awaited Watches & Wonders, WatchPro caught up with the Malca-Amit team in the UK to learn more about just how it operates and how that history helps it offer a service which is second to none today.
On its beginnings, the company’s Managing Director in the UK, Charles Turner explains: “Malca-Amit was established in 1963 as a small office in Tel-Aviv providing typing services for export papers. This quickly evolved into regular airfreight shipments and became a story for tracking globalisation and the dramatic increase in private wealth worldwide.
“Offices were swiftly opened one after the other, on a need-to-have basis, providing the services required and addressing the markets’ needs as our client portfolio diversified and evolved. This was, and still is, the Malca-Amit way – identifying a need, creating an answer, and establishing deep and sound foundations to build layer upon layer.”
He continues: “Almost 60 years later we have 1,500+ team members in over 35 countries around the World, a diverse portfolio of clients and a range of services focused around client experience.”
Historically, Malca-Amit’s business was servicing the world of diamonds but given the nature there, the move to offering that service to watches and jewellery was a smooth and natural one for it.
Specifically customer service, reaction time and speed of innovation was a welcome solution to the industry, according to Malca-Amit’s Head of Client in the UK, Ben Dear.
Evolving in this way has allowed the business to offer tailored, personal services to all aspects of luxury shipping, giving it a client base of manufacturers, distributors, retailers and private collectors.
On its work within the ever-changing world of trade shows, Mr Turner describes just how important they are to the work it does as a company: “Trade show services are at the core of our business. Offering a one stop shop for the Exhibitor – secure shipping, delivery to and collection from the booth, staff on hand through the show to help with customs clearance and dispatching orders and the option of insurance coverage during the event – placed via our in-house insurance broker MIRA.”
He adds: “After tradeshows, we handle red carpet ceremonies, photoshoots, bespoke private events and more for global luxury brands. We’re delighted to see so many trade shows returning in 2022.”
In terms of additional services, Ben Dear instructs the industry to “Tell us what you need.”
He details: “Or better, let the combination of our data analysis service, innovative employees and creative managers design bespoke solutions just for you. Worldwide secure logistics, online booking and shipment tracking via our portal – My Malca.
“White Glove and Last Mile delivery services to VIP’s with unmarked vehicles to aid security, 3rd Party Logistics for warehousing and distribution. UltraVault storage in our unique portable safe deposit boxes, guarding for photo shoots and events, customs brokerage, secure inspection rooms…and if you really want to test our offering, give us a call about your Digital Assets including NFT’s as we are constantly evolving our offering this space.”
Looking at what Malca-Amit can provide watch brands, Mr Turner describes it as a one-stop shop with door to door secured shipping, integrated customs brokerage, in-house third party logistics, B2C personalised deliveries, e-commerce and software integration.
He explains: “As a business we pride ourselves on our abilities to ensure technology is fully utilised to maximise efficiency and customer experience for our clients. We’re delighted to provide secure logistics solutions to a number of major watch brands and pre-owned watch specialists.
“We appreciate that when we make a delivery we are often the final experience in the chain for the client, so our White Glove and Last Mile services are especially popular to ensure that the end client receives a professional service which compliments the luxury item purchased.”
In the UK, Malca-Amit has a team of over 50 split between an office in the city of London, and a secure facility close to Heathrow airport and has a fleet of 15+ armoured and semi-armoured vehicles, ranging from HGV’s to discreet cars.
The fleet now includes fully electric and hybrid vehicles in order to push its GoGreen message too.
Not only does this service benefit the UK market though, the service is designed to offer a global solution for clients throughout EMEA, Asia and North America.
Mr Turner concluded: “Whether it’s a solution needed for Paris – London, Milan – Dubai, New York – Hong Kong, Geneva – Miami, or Singapore – Los Angeles (just to name a few!) we have a service to suit. Due to our experience in the industry, our fast moving innovative leadership and drive for technology adoption we believe that we are in an excellent position to provide the watch market with the solutions they need.”
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