RAPAPORT… HB Antwerp has acquired the manufacturing facility of Belgian large-stone specialist AMC Diamonds, gaining 13 employees alongside the company’s machinery and technology.
“With this acquisition, HB Antwerp confirms its ambition to bring the diamond-polishing process back to Antwerp in its entirety by combining the typical Antwerp savoir faire with the latest techniques in the field of laser technology, blockchain and [artificial intelligence],” a spokesperson for HB said.
Two-thirds of HB’s workforce now comprises technicians such as diamond polishers, software engineers and mechanical engineers, the company explained. It plans to carry out more recruitment in the coming months, HB added.
AMC, a De Beers sightholder, will maintain this status, and still has manufacturing facilities, a spokesperson for the company noted.
HB, which diamantaire Oded Mansori cofounded, partnered with Louis Vuitton earlier this year to buy the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond from Lucara Diamond Corp. It also agreed to purchase all of Lucara’s rough over 10.8 carats through the end of 2020.
It since hired Boaz Lev from Malca-Amit as operations director and one of its managing partners, and hired former Antwerp World Diamond Centre spokesperson Margaux Donckier as director of communications and external affairs.
Image: Rough diamond. (Shutterstock)
HB Antwerp Buys Sightholder’s Cutting Factory
The Bottom Line
- HB Antwerp acquired AMC Diamonds' manufacturing facility, including 13 employees, machinery, and technology.
- The acquisition supports HB Antwerp's goal to fully localize diamond polishing in Antwerp, integrating traditional skills with advanced laser, blockchain, and AI technologies.
- AMC Diamonds retains its De Beers sightholder status and continues operations at other manufacturing sites.
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