Page 49 - RLI February 2019

LIGHT & DESIGN PROFILE | MK ILLUMINATION

LIGHTING THE WAy

THE BOULEVARD, DOWNTOWN DUBAI THE DUBAI MALL
Dubai, UAE Dubai, UAE

BAy SQUARE CITy CENTRE MIRDIF THE BOULEVARD, DOWNTOWN DUBAI
MK Illumination creates True Light Experiences and Dubai, UAE Dubai, UAE Dubai, UAE
offers custom end-to-end lighting solutions, as well

as an extensive range of commercial lighting, lighting
design and lighting-related products. Here, RLI speaks

with Managing Director Oktay Sureka about the
company’s global expansion and what the future holds.

worldwide organisation, MK Illumination prides with the completion of the unique project for Downtown Presumably, the ability to create exciting and attractive clients understand how we can help them build an attraction
itself on applying a combination of international Dubai by Emaar Properties, where festive decoration had destinations is all the more important in the current climate? into their space that visitors feel compelled to share.”
experience and local expertise to create the never been a consideration. “Helping our clients turn spaces into exciting and Sureka feels that the biggest challenge is always change, and
Abest solutions for its clients. “We created a stunning atmosphere in Downtown Dubai attractive destinations by adding atmosphere and creating today change is happening at a
The company creates seasonal, permanent lighting and with a custom-designed concept and unique products. We experiences have always been an essential part of what faster pace than ever before. While “We started life as a company
decorative solutions as well as lighting sculptures that can be worked with MK Illumination designers across the globe to we offer. We will continue to do this because we think that this pressure won’t go away, he says specialising in festive decorative
used in a variety of settings. They work with clients from a bring the idea to life and in fact, 12 designers worked for creating experiences is essential whatever the economic the company is fortunate that they
range of sectors, from shopping centres, cities and airports more than a month to help us attain the desired result.” climate,” Sureka explains. are facing the challenge of time and lighting and last year We
to hotels, leisure and corporate spaces. Another major project for the business was the Westfield Creating lasting partnerships has always been paramount change with a competent team and became the World market
“We started life as a company specialising in festive Shopping Centre in London. Working closely with well- to MK Illumination, and to build these relationships they take is confident that as a team, they
decorative lighting and last year we became the world market known design house Millington on the project, MK was able a partnership approach with clients, in which they take time to can overcome these challenges leader in this area With a local
leader in this area with a local presence in 40 countries,” to realise their vision using the highest quality products and understand what their challenges are, thinking in and out of the to deliver future projects that will presence in 40 countries”
explains Oktay Sureka, Managing Director of MK Illumination. newest technologies within a very short timeframe. box and working closely together with them at all times and by exceed expectations.
“The company’s evolution owes a lot to the continuous “The result was a lighting and decorative installation with finding the right solutions for their needs, often offering them So what does he believe are the key drivers behind the
expansion of our products and services, both in-house and over 3,500 individually animated balls placed throughout the approaches that build on the latest trends and technologies. success of MK Illumination?
through the acquisition and merger of other companies into mall, with many different themes that filled the centre with a The importance of social media cannot be underestimated “From my perspective, it’s clear that having a local presence
MK Illumination over the years.” magical and impressive atmosphere,” says Sureka. in 2019, and MK has recognised just how pivotal these and local understanding and being able to leverage our
Continued growth occurred in 2018 and the business The current economic climate has meant the company has mediums can be. An example of its importance was when international experience are important. Also being a solution
now currently employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, been careful in its diversification, and they have built their teams they launched their Ramadan lighting and decoration at partner instead of a sales-driven company, continually
it delivered 4,000 projects over the course of the past year to be flexible. The result of this is that they are quite resilient. They Emaar’s Mall of the Emirates, social media was flooded with developing our offerings and ourselves, and maintaining our
and is on track to report a global turnover of 130M. may have a temporary downturn in one country or region, but images of the lights and of people enjoying the lights and reputation for exceptional quality have all been key drivers of
One of the most exciting MK projects that completed in by involving local teams in global projects in challenging times, sharing their delight. success here at MK Illumination,” Sureka concludes.
2018 also saw a personal objective be achieved by Sureka, they are able to continue growing globally each year. “You can’t buy that sort of exposure, so we make sure our www.mkillumination.com

44 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2019