Al Bulak, IMAX Worldwide Home CEO/President, is retiring from his role with the wholesale giant and industry leader he built along with co-founder, Berrin Bulak, from the ground up.
In 1984, Al and Berrin Bulak began importing various copper pots and containers from their native homeland, Turkey. Establishing relationships with global manufacturers and artisans, the company soon expanded to include a variety of accessories, lighting, accent furniture and wall decor. In those early days, the couple personally handled all aspects of business operations, from sourcing overseas – hand-selecting products to sell to retailers in the US – to setting up trade show booths, to photographing each product on film and processing the images in a darkroom.
With a focus on dedicated, friendly customer service and by maintaining strong customer relationships, IMAX quickly grew into a leader in the home furnishings industry. Today, the company is not only known for its diverse range of products, large variety of styles, and curated trends, but also for an open and accessible culture that makes doing business easy and enjoyable.
Regarding the announcement, Bulak says, “I will be retiring from my position as the CEO/President after 37 years. It has been an amazing adventure running this company, starting from nothing to one of the top home decor companies in our industry. I am humbled to have the confidence of hundreds of dedicated and creative people that have given me the opportunity to be their leader. I could not have achieved all of this without the support and tireless work of Berrin Bulak. She has always been the backbone and the pillar of this company and my life. It is now time for new leadership to take the reins of IMAX. I will cherish the memories and time spent with all of you, and I wish the best to all as you go forward making great memories and building a wonderful future.”
John Rains, Vice President of Sales and Arda Bulak, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, both highly qualified to lead the company, will take over responsibilities effective December 15, with Bulak consulting as co-founder and mentoring as needed during the transition until the end of January.
“Al has after many years of blood, sweat and tears decided to retire. He has been our leader and a pillar in the industry for over 30 years. For many of us, Al has been a part of our daily lives; walking the halls and showrooms with his smile, encouragement and even hints of mischief. It is hard to imagine IMAX without Al, but we certainly wish him the best of health and happiness. With that said, IMAX will continue its journey as an industry leader in home decor,” said John Rains.
