AKN OPTİK GROUP
Quality and Customer Oriented Stance…
“For the past two years, our participation in Silmo Istanbul has allowed us to both strengthen our relationships with existing partners and establish new collaborations.”
Hello Mr. Ilyas, could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us about your journey in the optical industry?
Hello, I’m Ilyas Akın, co-founder of Akn Optik Group. With many years of experience in the optical industry, I focus on quality-driven and innovation-oriented work. My passion for the sector and my desire for continuous growth have always been the key forces that motivate me on this journey. From the beginning, my career has been shaped around building solid and sustainable business relationships, with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and technological advancement. Along the way, we’ve spearheaded several key projects that helped position Akn Optik Group where it stands today. Moving forward, we remain committed to closely following industry developments and further advancing our brand.
Could you tell us about the founding process, growth, and industry vision of Akn Optik Group?
At Akn Optik Group, our approach is built on quality, trust, and innovation. From the very beginning, our goal was to establish a customer-oriented brand that could meet evolving consumer needs both locally and globally, equipped with cutting-edge technology. Our vision has always gone beyond simply selling products — we aimed to provide a lifestyle and a visual comfort experience. We’ve focused on developing solutions that support eye health while offering both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Research and development have been a major part of our growth strategy, and we’ve continuously raised our quality standards. Today, we’re proud to have made our name known in both domestic and international markets. Our industry vision is to grow with a sustainability-first mindset, by keeping up with technological advancements and putting customer satisfaction at the center. Ultimately, we aim to be a brand that helps shape the future, integrating the opportunities of digital transformation into the optical sector and making a difference through human-centered solutions.
Your brands Pirloon and Arcwang are known for quality and innovation. Could you describe their features, and what sets them apart?
Both Pirloon and Arcwang address different needs and user profiles, standing out with distinctive design philosophies and high production standards. These two brands are synonymous with quality and innovation. Pirloon is built around elegance and subtlety. It features a sophisticated and timeless design language, often expressed through minimalistic lines. It uses materials that guarantee both lightness and durability. With Pirloon, we target urban, refined consumers who appreciate simplicity without compromising style. On the other hand, Arcwang is bolder and more avant-garde, embracing a modern, dynamic aesthetic with striking contrasts and trend-setting design elements. It appeals to a younger, more adventurous audience and thrives on originality. Both brands are crafted with the same meticulous attention to comfort, aesthetics, and quality. Our goal is to offer distinct experiences that resonate with the user’s personal style.
Eyewear is no longer just an accessory — it’s a form of personal expression and identity. How do your brands connect with customers’ individual stories?
Eyewear is one of the most intimate forms of self-expression. At Akn Optik Group, we strive to create designs that allow people to reflect their unique identities and styles — not just provide a functional product. Every person has their own story, taste, and expectations, which is why diversity and customization are essential to us, especially across our Pirloon and Arcwang collections. We don’t see customer relationships as mere transactions. We believe in creating a bond that touches their everyday lives, personal styles, and emotions. In our special collections, for example, we offer customizable models that allow customers to showcase their individuality. That’s how our eyewear becomes more than just an accessory — it becomes part of their personal story. This approach is one of the cornerstones of our brand identity. Helping our customers say, “This is who I am,” is at the heart of our collection strategy and what we represent as a brand.
Could you tell us about your export activities? Which markets are you active in, and what are your international goals?
At Akn Optik Group, we place great importance on having a strong presence internationally as well as in the domestic market. Our export activities show that our brands are appreciated on a global scale. Currently, we’re active in countries like Greece, Egypt, Sudan, and several others across Africa. In these regions, we’ve quickly established a strong position thanks to our product quality and customer-first approach. Our goal is to continue growing in these existing markets while also entering new regions and forming long-term business partnerships. We’re especially focused on strategic regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. We see exports not just as a commercial endeavor, but as a core element of our vision to become a global brand. With a commitment to quality, trust, and sustainable collaborations, we are steadily moving toward becoming a long-lasting and influential player in international markets.
Reaching 450 retail partners in a short time is impressive. What strategies were key to this success?
Reaching 450 retail partners in a relatively short time is no coincidence. It’s the result of a strategic, sustainable, and visionary growth model. At the core of this success lie transparent and trustworthy business partnerships. Product quality and brand strength have also played critical roles in our expansion. Pirloon and Arcwang have been quickly embraced by the industry, directly boosting the performance of our retail partners. Our strong logistics and inventory management systems ensure timely delivery and efficient stock planning, which enhances our partners’ operational effectiveness. We also provide comprehensive marketing and sales support, helping our partners increase their visibility and strengthen their competitive position. Lastly, our growth strategy is carefully planned to ensure a balanced and sustainable network across different regions. For us, the satisfaction and success of each partner matter more than just the numbers. Moving forward, we aim to further empower our retail network with value-added solutions and stronger collaboration.
As a company committed to growing with your partners, what kind of support do you provide to your dealers during and after sales?
At Akn Optik Group, we see our retail partners not just as collaborators but as key stakeholders in our growth journey. We take a holistic and seamless approach to customer satisfaction that extends well beyond the point of sale. On the product side, we support our partners with a broad and constantly updated portfolio to quickly and accurately meet their needs. Our optimized stock and delivery processes improve their operational efficiency. To assist in sales, we provide up-to-date display materials, mirrors, posters, and packaging tools that enhance product presentation and drive sales. In terms of promotion, we help increase visibility through campaigns and local marketing initiatives. Our expert team produces tailored content for social media, and we continue advertising in both national and local media outlets. When it comes to after-sales service, we focus on accessibility, speed, and problem-solving. We aim to resolve technical support, maintenance, returns, and exchange requests as swiftly as possible. Our dedicated support teams actively track every case in real time and develop proactive, lasting solutions to minimize issues. This “we’re still here after the sale” mindset is a true reflection of our brand’s customer-oriented stance and our commitment to quality.
Do you have any upcoming projects or investments planned in your product or brand portfolio?
Yes, we’re always committed to maintaining our innovative and dynamic structure at Akn Optik Group. We’re currently preparing to launch a new premium brand — a project we’re very excited about. This new line will meet the market with elevated design and technology standards. At the same time, development for new collections under our existing brands continues nonstop. Every season, we closely follow consumer expectations and trends to expand our offerings. In short, we’re making strategic investments to continuously enhance both our brand portfolio and product range, aiming to offer strong alternatives across all customer segments and needs.
You place great importance on teamwork and continuous improvement. How do you foster this culture within the company?
We firmly believe that teamwork and a culture of continuous improvement are the foundations of success at Akn Optik Group. To embed this mindset across all levels of our organization, we first ensure that we have open communication channels. It’s very important to us that our employees feel free to share their ideas and suggestions. We regularly hold internal meetings, feedback sessions, and training programs to support professional development. We also monitor both individual and team performance and share results transparently, which helps boost motivation and identify areas for improvement. Continuous improvement is an essential part of our daily workflows. We carefully evaluate even the smallest suggestions to enhance efficiency, improve quality, and encourage innovation. This mindset allows both our employees and our company to evolve constantly. As a result, we’ve built a culture at Akn Optik Group that’s open to change, rooted in collaboration, and driven by progress — a culture that’s built not only for today’s success but for tomorrow’s as well.
What are your thoughts on Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair? How do you evaluate its contributions to the industry?
For the past two years, our participation in Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair has allowed us to strengthen our relationships with existing partners and explore new opportunities. While showcasing our products and innovations, we also gained valuable insight into the latest trends and technologies in the industry. Silmo Istanbul has evolved into more than just a trade fair — it has become a vital meeting point where professionals come together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strategize for the future. Such events foster synergy within the industry, promote innovation, and support the global competitiveness of the optical sector. Today, interaction spaces like these are more crucial than ever for the development of the optical industry. Events like Silmo Istanbul help shape not only the present but also the future of optics by uniting sector players around a shared vision.
Thank you for this valuable interview. Lastly, do you have any thoughts on our magazine, 4 your eyes?
First of all, thank you for this opportunity. We view 4 your eyes as a valuable publication that brings industry stakeholders together, offering quality, timely, and insightful content for the optical world. Your magazine’s forward-thinking approach and the value it adds to the sector help businesses strengthen their networks and express themselves more effectively. We’re delighted to collaborate with 4 your eyes and wish you continued success in your publishing journey.
July 2025