COMPANY PROFILE


Michael Hill International operates Michael Hill Jeweller - a retail jewellery chain catering principally for the middle section of the jewellery market, with 134 stores between Australia, New Zealand and Canada as at 30 June 2003. The Company also specialises in higher priced diamond jewellery. The Company had its origins in 1979 when Michael Hill opened the first store in the New Zealand town of Whangarei, some 160 kilometres north of Auckland.

A unique retail jewellery formula that included dramatically different store designs, a product range devoted exclusively to jewellery and almost saturation levels of high impact advertising elevated the Company to national prominence and record sales.

The Company grew rapidly, expanding to 10 stores by 1987 - the same year it was listed on the New Zealand stock exchange. 1987 also saw expansion into Australia, opening the first store in August, in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly.


Today the group employs over 1,600 full and part time staff in retailing, manufacturing and administration. It has approximately 3,400 shareholders and remains the most profitable publicly listed retail jeweller in Australia/New Zealand.

Our overall strategic goal

To grow shareholder wealth over time through our philosophy of controlled profitable growth.

Our mission

Our mission is to be the most people focused jeweller in the world.

Our values and guiding principles

Customer satisfaction is our passion, our love and our life

" Care for every customer, as you would like to be cared for yourself.

" Exceed their expectations whatever it takes!

" Remember its not a sale. Its a celebration!

" We are all living advertisements for our brand. We create the magic.

" Create lifetime customers through the highest standards in customer service.

" Customer complaints are an opportunity to win a customer for life.

Our people make our company

" Employ exceptional people for the gifts they bring us - energy, passion, willingness,   intelligence and enthusiasm.

" Develop, coach and empower them to achieve their full potential.

" Create an environment that encourages excitement, fun, and open communication.

" Celebrate and reward success.

" Endeavour to promote from within.

" Our teams success ensures the companys success.

Encourage innovation and use common sense

" Push the limits - if there is a better way, find it!

" Keep our systems relevant and simple.

" Challenge bureaucracy and red tape.

" Innovation is often born from our mistakes and the lessons learned - have a go!

" Embrace change it brings opportunities.

" Speak up! Constructive questioning of our methods, policies, and thinking is healthy.

Take ownership of your business

" Act and think as if this was your own business.

" Make decisions in the best interests of your customers and your team.

" Be responsible for the companys profitability and growth.

" Search for great ideas and share them across the company.

Be honest and ethical

" Always act honestly and ethically displaying the upmost integrity.

" Protect and enhance our brands integrity.

" Show mutual respect in all dealings with people in and outside the company.

" Compete fairly and professionally at all times.

 
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