BVSU Annual General Meeting 2026: Industry Discusses Opportunities in a Challenging Market Environment
The Federal Association of Jewelry, Watches, Silverware, and Related Industries (BVSU) held its 2026 annual general meeting. Together with speaker Frank Michael Müller (Managing Director of Responsio GmbH and creator of the Watch and Jewelry Monitor), the members discussed current developments in the industry under the theme “The Changing World and Jewelry Market: Opportunities in Turbulent Times.”
More than 50 industry representatives attended the BVSU event in the Panorama Hall at Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw. In their review, the participants looked back on a challenging yet successful 2025.
Challenging times for the jewelry and watch industry
Against the backdrop of a generally difficult economic situation, the association supported its member companies, particularly with regard to collective bargaining issues, regulatory challenges, and international trade matters.
Key topics included collective bargaining in the precious metals industry, issues related to export duties, the implementation of international sanctions, as well as aspects of consumer protection, labeling, and sustainability communication.
BVSU with a broad range of initiatives
In addition, the association continued to be actively involved in international trade shows as well as in national and international industry networks. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting the next generation of industry professionals through the newly established “BVSU Future Workshop.”
Despite a challenging economic environment, the association considers itself well-positioned overall and continues to work consistently on behalf of its member companies.
Managing Director Christine Köhle-Wichmann reported on the fiscal year of BVSU’s subsidiary and service company, Deutsche Schmuck und Uhren GmbH. Karina Ratzlaff provided an update on the activities of the International Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, and Gemstone Trade (CIBJO) on behalf of the Association of German Jewellery and Silverware Trade Federations.
Lecture: The Changing World and Jewelry Market
Another item on the agenda of the general meeting was a presentation by Frank Michael Müller, publisher of the industry studies *Schmuckmonitor* and *Uhrenmonitor*. In his presentation titled “The World and the Jewelry Market in Transition: Opportunities in Turbulent Times,” he analyzed current developments in international markets and provided insights into the consumer behavior of jewelry and watch buyers.
Its studies regularly provide the industry with reliable data on demand, target groups, and market trends, and are considered one of the key sources of information for manufacturers and retailers.
The insights from the presentation were discussed in depth during the subsequent get-together of the German jewelry and watch industry.bv-schmuck-uhren.de
