Gulbenk Trading Co.

Gulbenk Trading Co. was born after a legacy from late grandfather, a very famous Portraitist in the region, who started his photographic business in 1915. This was 1 year after Oskar Barnack invented the first camera which employs the modern 24x36mm frame.

The distribution of Nikon & Minolta cameras in Lebanon started in the late 1940’s with a clear vision in mind; To focus on professional customers and advanced amateurs, cultivating the passion in photography. Since then, the long journey started, encompassing the dynamic integration of other brands to complete the line-up, and fulfill the photographers’ needs to its utmost extent.

As part of the recent history, from the mid 1970’s till the late 1990’s, Gulbenk Trading survived the civil war which took place in Lebanon and suffered several incidents nonetheless were several break-in and the loss of the complete stock from the main warehouse.

Despite the dangerous work conditions under those circumstances, and at a time when many corporate organizations chose to freeze their activities, Gulbenk Trading continued the import process.
Nevertheless the company’s strategy in the late 80’s was to build and strengthen the direct relationship with customers. This strategy led to a favorable expansion of the customer base, both amateurs and professionals alike, to a leading national position.

Strengthened with a new management in 1988, Gulbenk Trading Co. established their in-house after sales service center in 1992. Concerted efforts began in the establishment of repair, testing equipment, and repair parts, along with the emphasis of specialized training for qualified service staff. To date, Gulbenk Trading Co. is one of a few camera distributors in Lebanon to offer a fully equipped service facility, manned by fully trained Nikon technicians.

Yet another vital strategic vision was to ensure that all sales and technical support staff came from a photographic background, as this would cultivate:

-A professional service to our customers,
-Establishing grounds for a close, inter-personal and long-lasting relationship with the photographers.
-Being able to cope with the dynamic changes in the photographic industry, transiting from the traditional photographic techniques to the new Digital Imaging Technologies.