- Michael C. Fina
-
545 Fifth Ave. at the corner of 45th St, New York CityMichael C. Fina is a private family owned and operated New York City-based fine goods retailer [1] and worldwide employee recognition company [2] located at 545 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The company store sells engagement rings, wedding bands, jewelry, fine tableware, vintage silver, bath and home fragrances.
The Michael C. Fina employee recognition division has offices in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom and services more than 800 companies in more than 100 countries, supporting more than five million employees each year.
Contents
History
Founded by Michael Fina and Rose Rosenblatt in 1935, Michael C. Fina opened on the fourth floor of 580 Fifth Avenue at 47th Street in Manhattan. In early years the company was a wholesaler specializing in fine silver plate and sterling silver hollowware.
During the 1950s the company expanded into the retail market. Outgrowing the original fourth floor location at 580 Fifth Avenue, the company moved down two floors in the same building to the second floor location that would become the company’s home for the next several decades. After the move, the company's slogan became “Upstairs at Michael C. Fina.”[3]
This phrase was commonly seen in publications such as The New York Times, Modern Bride and Architectural Digest. Michael C. Fina also partnered with numerous television game shows that gave away prizes in the early television era, including Beat the Clock, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Let’s Make a Deal and Treasure Hunt. A partnership with The Price Is Right[4] has lasted since the show began in 1956.
Michael C. Fina was one of the first companies in New York City to enter the bridal registry business.[5] At its peak the company registered over 10,000 brides per year. In 1998 the store moved to its current location at 545 Fifth Avenue. Today the company features a wide range of jewelry from such brands as Tacori and Hearts On Fire. In 2008, Tacori launched their 18k925 Collection with The Hills star Whitney Port at the store.[6]
Michael C. Fina also continues to sell home goods, maintaining a selection of well known brands such as Christofle, Baccarat, Royal Copenhagen, Raynaud, Waterford, Bernardaud, Georg Jensen, Hermes, Steuben, Daum and Lalique.[7]
Employee Recognition
Entering the recognition business in the 1960s, the Finas incorporated lifestyle gifts alongside more traditional recognition items such as tie tacks and desk clocks.
During the late 80’s Michael C. Fina created the Magic Box to solve the problem of presenting lifestyle gifts such as televisions and barbecues in the workplace. The box, which contained a framed certificate, congratulatory letter, gift catalog, order form, and optional trinket such as a pen or watch, gave employees the traditional experience of being presented with a gift at work, but allowed them to choose a gift that fit their lifestyle.[8][9]
Today, this segment of the Michael C. Fina business services more than 800 companies in more than 100 countries, supporting more than five million employees globally each year.[10] Michael C. Fina built a 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) World Headquarters and Distribution Center at 33-01 Hunters Point Avenue in Long Island City. This building houses all departments, systems and inventory for the company. Over 92% of the recognition services products ship out of this center with all gift wrapping and servicing done in-house.
While employee service awards and the Magic Box are still the cornerstone of Michael C. Fina’s employee recognition business, the focus of the industry is shifting towards multi-initiative performance management, and the company is offering new products and services to accommodate its customers’ changing needs such as GiftNET, an online gift catalog.[11] In 2005, Michael C. Fina introduced its One Source | Total Recognition methodology which, "delivers cost-effective, state-of-the-art recognition solutions to multinational corporations, with a strict focus on world-class customer service."[12]
In 2009 Ashley Fina was named president of Michael C. Fina, and in 2010 the company became certified as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women Presidents' Educational Organization,[13] a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).[14]
The company was the first employee recognition provider to receive ISO and SAS70 certifications for adherence to strict guidelines that ensure consistency in the products and services offered, as well as for internal controls for information and data security.
Michael C. Fina Products
Beginning in the 1980s the Finas oversaw the production of Michael C. Fina brand products. Prior to the official creation of Michael C. Fina products, the company had a partnership with silver manufacturer Kent Silversmiths dating back to 1947 to create custom pieces.
Michael C. Fina created the china aboard the USS New York, the ship crafted from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.[15]
References
- ^ http://74.54.115.114/node/884#jewels
- ^ http://www.hrotoday.com/content/1826/bakers-dozen-employee-recognition?artID=1826
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=gOUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=%22Upstairs+at+Michael+C.+Fina&source=bl&ots=ZWXENuwDt8&sig=MfO7bj9LJ9Gns7vQrCnrIkTlgys&hl=en&ei=0k6mTLz4BIL68AbyqqT4AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22Upstairs%20at%20Michael%20C.%20Fina&f=false
- ^ http://www.livedash.com/transcript/the_price_is_right/510/KPIX/Thursday_September_2_2010/289119/
- ^ http://www.tablewaretoday.com/Fina-C.htm
- ^ http://www.zimbio.com/Whitney+Port/articles/HxPJKRadPBW/Whitney+Port+Michael+C+Fina+Tacori+launch
- ^ http://www.michaelcfina.com/
- ^ http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=13092991
- ^ http://www.pipmag.com/features.php?fid=201009fe05&ch=6
- ^ http://www.hrmreport.com/article/Company-profile-Michael-C-Fina/
- ^ http://www.pipmag.com/features.php?fid=201009fe05&ch=6
- ^ http://www.hrotoday.com/content/1826/bakers-dozen-employee-recognition?artID=1826
- ^ http://business.highbeam.com/3672/article-1G1-223666315/michael-c-fina-receives-womenowned-business-certification
- ^ http://www.hrvendornews.com/?p=1164
- ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michael-c-fina-selected-for-custom-china-service-for-uss-new-york-68847637.html
External links
Categories:- Retail companies of the United States
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