On 2 March, Zumtobel hosted an inauguration event in Dubai to open its first light centre in the Middle East. At the 750m² premises in Dubai, application-focused lighting solutions are presented, above all for the hotel and wellness, presentation and retail, art and culture as well as offices and communication areas.

Zumtobel focuses on high-power LED solutions for all application areas, using a variety of centre-stage settings to present the wealth of options provided by the new technology. The light centre plays a key role in the management and expansion of customer relations. Following the Shanghai light centre, which was opened in 2010, the Dubai light centre is the 17th institution of its kind worldwide. With this move, Zumtobel has emphasised its goal of continuing growth in the markets outside Europe and of strengthening its presence in major economic regions.

Director of emerging markets, Martin Böwe, said: “The light centre as a place of communication has given us an appropriate setting for proper representation of Zumtobel in the Middle East. It allows us to offer our customers a quality encounter that goes far beyond mere product presentation.”

Since 2007, Zumtobel has been represented in Dubai with its own distribution company. At present, the Middle East is serviced by 15 staff members. They can now use the light centre as an appropriate place of communication to talk with customers and present products. Events on cross-disciplinary architectural and lighting subjects are also intended to be held in Dubai, in order to allow architects, lighting designers and designers to get involved in exciting discussions and talks. Already the market can be proud of successfully implemented projects such as the lighting of the Yas Marina Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the Landmark Tower in Abu Dhabi as well as numerous shops of famous brands like Swarovksi, G-Star or Geox.

For Zumtobel, the establishment and operation of its international network is a top priority. According to its vision to communicate a passion for light, worlds of lighting experience are created which reveal the full creative power of this versatile building material. The organisation currently operates 17 light centres and three light forums worldwide. They share the agenda of serving as networking and education platforms for customers and staff members. They provide specific knowledge on products and applications in the form of seminars and workshops. Personal project discussions with experts or high-calibre exhibitions covering subjects from architecture, design and technology are other focuses of Zumtobel’s customer dialogue.