Light bulbs for Indonesia

The very first project Zebra Special Projects ever launched was in Indonesia at the bulb factory of PT Mesia. In 1996 we had flown across the globe with the ambition to start in palm oil milling. Things went differently and we soon found ourselves making light bulbs.

With a spring in our step, Zebra flew to Indonesia to offer technical expertise to the then burgeoning palm oil industry. But by the time we'd received permits to do business in the country, an economic crisis in the country threw a spanner in the works. The industry no longer had the money to hire us, and there was no work. Our answer was simple: we'd start our own company.

Worldwide exports

A light bulb factory was to be our core business, and no less than worldwide export was our goal. We rented a shack, hired employees and trained them in the art of light bulb production. In 2003, PT Mesia had grown into a mature enterprise with 400 people employed, and turnover surpassing 2 million Euros a year. We've since sold that company, but we've maintained a presence in Indonesia ever since.