Interiors contracting specialist building on partnership with Derin Design

AHK, a leading Turkey-headquartered interiors contracting specialist which serves its home market as AHK Interiors and abroad as AHK International, is looking at further global expansion.

In partnership with Turkish furniture design company Derin Design, AHK is looking at establishing new sales offices in 15 countries.

Derin Design, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, has turned into a joint-stock company with the participation of AHK Interiors.

“Derin Design, which had secured a respected place with international achievements in modem furniture design, is now growing into a multi-faceted establishment under the impetus from AHK Interiors,” says Haldun Kilit, the board chairman of AHK Interiors.

Together the two companies are looking at expanding their global footprint, Kilit adds.

“Targets have grown threefold in comparison with the previous year,” says Kilit. “We are targeting international projects in partnership with Derin and are looking at establishing sales and project points in 15 countries.”

“We are also aiming for more projects in Turkey with the brand GW, and to grow in the UAE, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan under the AHK International brand,” says Kilit.

The company has entered into negotiations with major groups in Turkey and abroad in the field of contracting business.

Founded in 1996, AHK Interiors has witnessed steady growth in terms of projects. As one of the largest interior contracting companies in Turkey and the UAE, it executes interior design projects and turnkey projects while also manufacturing and marketing interior decoration products.

Over the years it has successfully executed a vast array of projects ranging from luxury hotels and resorts, retail centres, offices, banks, apartments and villas. Some of its recent/ongoing prestigious projects include Dedeman Hotels & Resorts, MartI GYO, Paloma Hotels and Renaissance Construction’s InterContinental Hotel in St Petersburg.

In the UAE, the company’s projects include Rixos The Palm Dubai, Twin Towers Hotel; Dubai, Zayed University and Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

AHK has come a long way since its establishment. It started operations with only two members, today it has 250 employees based in Turkey and a further 50 abroad.

“AHK International was set up with a mission of taking on the right kind of projects to showcase.

Turkish workmanship abroad,” Kilit says. “By representing Turkey abroad through successful projects, we have set ourselves a higher standard for our projects.”

In 2003 the company set up its own manufacturing facility in Antalya Industrial Zone to offer solutions for all kinds of interior decoration needs, ranging from hotels to residences. The company also manufactures loose and fixed furniture.
Within AHK Interiors, accessories, upholstery and drapery, wallpaper, lighting appliances, bathroom accessories are also available.

AHK’s expertise: Rixos The Palm Dubai (above) and Derin Design’s Tun armchair (below)

In order to showcase its capabilities to investors in the tourism sector, six different and “realistic” hotel room mock-ups have been fitted out at its factory for display to potential customers.

Whilst providing services as an interior designer and contractor, AHK also offers solutions with its specialised technical team, both in domestic and overseas investment projects.

MARKET
AHK focuses 70 per cent of its services on the tourism industry. Its multi-directional infrastructure, as well as an eye on ongoing projects in several countries, has kept the company afloat even during the slowdown in hotel investments in Antalya.

“In line with the saying not to put your eggs in one basket, I would like to note that 65 to 70 per cent of our annual turnover is accounted for by foreign projects. This gives us great opportunities to showcase our country’s expertise abroad in the form of Turkish-made products and we are delighted to be known as a company of repute.”

The company’s exports have also witnessed steady growth over the years. “We started with 200 containers in 2008. This increased to 280 in 2009 and 500 in 2010,” Kilit says.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING
AHK also attaches great importance to employee training and has its own academy, according to Kilit.

“AHK’s mission is to train its entire team and ensure that every person who joins AHK gets to graduate from the AHK academy,” he says. “Each department endeavours to improve itself through weekly training sessions and competes against the other for its own benefit and the company’s as well.”

AHK’s excellent facilities for its workers also play an importance role in ensuring the company’s success. “Today, in terms of infrastructure, AHK has made serious investments in accumulating common knowledge and creating a product infrastructure which can be put to good use by each and every worker, from the projects department to the production department. I believe this will pave the way for further self-improvement,” he concludes.