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RAPAPORT... Jewelry manufacturer WB The Creative Jewellery Group in the U.K. recently acquired Gecko Jewellery, a silver-fashion jewelry company. The enlarged WB group counts its total staff at 175 and estimates a combined turnover in excess of $50 million (GBP 32 million). ''It is encouraging, in these troubled times, that a manufacturing business is expanding its remit,'' said the group's joint chairman, Patrick Fuller. ''A recent survey shows our customers value our prompt delivery, just-in time production techniques, exemplary service and on-going investment in design and production technologies. British design and production is back in fashion. We are positive about the future and look forward to growing the business further.'' The group's other brands include Domino, which sells British-made fully-finished and semi-finished fine jewelry; Weston Beamor, which offers precious metal casting and rapid prototyping, and AdValorem, which distributes high-quality European jewelry brands. Gecko is known for its Elements and Fiorelli collections for women, its Fred Bennett range for men and its D for Diamond jewelry for children. ''We see this acquisition as a significant step towards being able to offer jewelry retailers throughout Europe a complete solution to their jewelry needs. Gecko, like us, has built its business by providing great design, innovation and service and we believe there is real synergy between our companies. Bringing them together will undoubtedly provide tremendous new opportunities for them and their customers,'' said Fuller.
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