Leap Ahead
DRIVE AND A FIRM VISION HAS HELPED THE HELMSMAN OF MK-TRE TAKE CONSIDERABLE STRIDES IN THE DESIGNER KITCHEN INDUSTRY
Not many people can have an indefatigable spirit to soldier on in a competitive field such as the designer kitchen industry. There are the inevitable long hours, and the mental challenges to meet clients’ expectations and budgets while delivering high-quality products in short time frames. However, one person rose above all these challenges—mahmud Karim. The 43-year-old self-effacing managing director of Mk-tre—a firm specialising in premium Italian designer kitchens Binova—smiles through all the hardships he has endured. It took him 22 years of perseverance and hard work to arrive at a point in his career which he is proud of. Before forming MK-TRE, Mahmud worked with renowned luxury kitchen brands such as Poggenpohl, Bulthaup, Rational, Hacker, Eggersmann, Effeti Cucine and Schiffini. With an educational grounding in interior design, he has also worked with brands including Tisettanta, Fimes and Interlübke. With a vision to take kitchen design further, Mahmud became a gamechanger in an industry wrought with rules, regulations and demands. To him, the only “design” we set upon ourselves are the “parameters” in our creative mind. He believes kitchen design is evolutionary and should change with the user’s unique lifestyle and habits. Most of his work is focused in Asia, but this welltravelled impresario is often on the move to meet clients, touch and try new materials, and experience the ambiences conveyed in tradeshows around the world. “At the end of the day, the one thing that you must satisfy is your customer. Your soft skills are essential in delivering the desired hardware,” Mahmud opines. Now that’s a boss who’s definitely people-oriented. In an interview, the managing director of MK-TRE talks about design trends and his new venture.
What sets MK-TRE apart from other kitchen companies? People are our greatest asset. We have a dedicated team of individuals with a wide skill set, some of whom have worked with renowned luxury brands for over a decade. At MK-TRE, we go beyond the norm of kitchen design and constantly challenge the boundaries of kitchen concepts. We provide in-depth consultancy and listen closely to our clients in order to create a product that sates their lifestyle and needs. We also believe Binova’s awardwinning designs have an edge over our competitors, and its premium Italian finishing and top-notch manufacturing standards will woo customers. How would you define a “well designed kitchen”? A well-appointed kitchen is one that is timeless in design, not something that is seasonal in style. It should also be fully functional and engineered to provide features within close reach. Having the right technology is important as it affects and enhances the kitchen’s usability. It also has to be a place that you choose to spend your late nights interacting with your loved ones— whether it’s having a meal or just simple meal preparation. A welldesigned kitchen lets the user spend hours there without feeling the need to take a breather to leave the space. What has been the most rewarding experience working in this industry for more than a decade? The process of solving big and complex design issues/constraints in our clients’ homes is satisfaction you get on the job. On a business aspect, it is being able to be a big part towards the contribution of turning a small kitchen company into a public-listed market leader in the industry. As mentioned before, people are our assets so the ability to guide and train all those under my leadership and mould them to be efficient professionals is another fulfilling experience. What are your views on the luxury kitchen scene regionally? There will be a lot of changes in this volatile region, in particularly Singapore and Malaysia. The top brands will have to innovate and stay competitive but ultimately, it is about the right people working for you to bring your brand into the future. How do you keep your customers satisfied? By getting it right from the very early design stages down to the installation. We aim to deliver only the best quality products customised to customers’ needs that will last a lifetime. What do you think is essential to the growth of a company? Any company would not be successful without good people. Human capital is an asset. Good leaders pass down their knowledge to their subjects so organisations can move ahead and grow. Good leaders should not be stuck doing the same thing year after year. As a leader, one has to grow or upgrade his/her skills in order to stay relevant. What are your upcoming plans in 2017? We will redefine the true meaning of luxury as we will be launching another premium European kitchen brand in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the first quarter of 2017.