World Karate Championships End in Triumph
17th July 2025 The World Karate Championships drew to a close on Sunday in Malmö – and Gapuma was proud to stand behind some of England’s most promising young fighters. Held at the spectacular Malmo Arena, the 13th WUKF World Karate Championships welcomed nearly 4,000 athletes from 33 nations. Among them were members of the Dokan England and Ichiban Leeds teams – many making their international debuts – proudly supported by Gapuma. From day one, England’s athletes impressed. Medals in kata came from Salma, Ariz, Layjha, Kylie and Eleisha, securing an early haul of four silver and one bronze. Kumite and kobudo followed, with powerful showings by Elijah, Ahmed and Lewis – the latter placing fourth and fifth in a highly competitive kobudo division. The highlight? A bronze medal win in the 16–17 boys team kumite, with Adel sealing the victory in dramatic style through six unanswered points and a match-winning ippon. A huge thank you to Henry Greef, Gapuma’s South Africa Country Manager, who not only represented us on the ground in Malmö but also introduced us to the team and initiated the sponsorship. His energy, initiative and belief in the athletes made this partnership possible. Well done to every athlete, coach and supporter – Gapuma is honoured to be part of your journey.
Join Gapuma at the 59th Annual EPCA Meeting in Berlin
11th July 2025 Gapuma South Africa is pleased to confirm that senior representatives — Gary Hayes, Henry Greeff, Dave Steward, and Carla Erasmus — will be attending the 59th Annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) Meeting in Berlin, taking place from 22 to 25 September 2025. In today’s challenging and fast-changing global environment, supply chains are under pressure, and the imperative for sustainable innovation has never been greater. At Gapuma, we are focused on creating agile, adaptive solutions that meet the realities of the market. Drawing on deep operational knowledge and on-the-ground experience across Southern and West Africa, our team is committed to building resilient supply networks and delivering market-led value. The EPCA Annual Meeting presents a key opportunity to engage with fellow industry leaders, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for navigating regulatory change, accelerating sustainability goals, and positioning our sector for long-term success. We warmly invite you to connect with us in Berlin to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Whether you’re looking to expand into African markets or seeking to transform global challenges into practical outcomes, we are ready to support your objectives with insight, integrity, and impact. To arrange a meeting with our team during the event, please get in touch via our contact page or reach out to us directly on LinkedIn.
From Golden Fields to Global Tables: Gapuma’s First Wheat Harvest in Serbia
3rd July 2025 It is harvest time in Serbia, and as sunlight glints off the golden fields of Vojvodina, Gapuma proudly marks a major milestone — our first wheat crop in the region. This inaugural harvest represents more than a successful growing season. It signals the expansion of our agricultural presence in Serbia and the beginning of a broader commitment to high-quality, sustainable food production. The wheat will be stored in our own advanced 22,000 metric tonne storage facility located in Žabalj, positioning us at the heart of Serbia’s most productive agricultural zone. Wheat is just the start. With soya and maize also under cultivation, our harvests will support a growing network of trusted partners across Europe and beyond. From seed to silo, Gapuma is dedicated to contributing to long-term food security, regional resilience, and responsible agri-trade. We are proud to be part of a new agricultural chapter in Serbia — one rooted in quality, innovation, and a shared vision for nourishing communities across borders.
Investing in Future Leaders: An Intern’s Journey at Gapuma
2nd July 2025 At Gapuma, we believe that investing in young talent is not only part of our long-term vision, but also a core pillar of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment. Over the years, we’ve been proud to host a growing number of bright, driven interns who gain hands-on experience across our global operations. One such intern is Phume Mazibuko, currently completing a seven-week internship at our London head office. With four weeks behind her, Phume has already made an impact and gained invaluable insight into international trade, procurement, and logistics. Here’s Phume’s account in her own words: “With four weeks completed and only three more weeks to go, I have already gained an extensive amount of knowledge while being at Gapuma. I have worked with both the Procurement and Logistics departments, splitting my time equally between the two. In procurement, I was responsible for carrying through enquiries. I was tasked with researching chemical suppliers and contacting the requisite suppliers based on client specifications. This task improved my communication and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the procurement team ensured that I gained technical knowledge of the forward freight industry by learning Incoterms, organising Certificates of Analysis and more. Another key task was conducting a regional freight market check. This was significant for my understanding of market patterns and would provide both the Procurement and Logistics teams with up-to-date information, vital for drafting client quotes and planning agreements between clients and suppliers. While working with Logistics, I was required to update a Know Your Client Excel sheet and ensure that the relevant information is correctly and thoroughly logged for future reference when the team needs to carry through a shipment. This improved my attention to detail, my risk assessment skills, and my deeper understanding of company and industry standards. Through all of this, the team environments at Gapuma remained supportive and collaborative, and thus, I have been able to learn a great deal from my supervisors and colleagues when given regular and in-depth feedback on tasks. This experience has affirmed my interest in the transportation of bulk liquids but has especially opened me up to a world of freight forwarding and given me the confidence to pursue a role in this field. Although my experience is not yet over, I am grateful to have worked with such a dedicated and positive team, so I would highly recommend this internship to others interested in international trade.” We’re proud to play a small part in the journeys of emerging professionals like Phume — and we look forward to welcoming many more.
Strengthening UK–Serbia Ties: Gapuma at the King’s Official Birthday Party in Belgrade
20th June 2025 On Thursday, Gapuma was honoured to attend the celebration of His Majesty King Charles III’s Official Birthday, hosted by His Excellency Edward Ferguson, British Ambassador to Serbia. Held in Belgrade, the event brought together a distinguished group of British businesses operating in Serbia, reflecting the strength of bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Serbia. Gapuma was represented by Aron Mohaci, Managing Director of Gapuma Serbia, alongside other colleagues from the regional team. The event served as a valuable opportunity to engage with fellow UK-based companies, including AstraZeneca, British Motors, ARUP, Endava, Bechtel, G4S, ERG International Group, Chivas Regal, Tanqueray, Froneri, Harrisons, and Menzies Aviation. All were present to mark this formal occasion and reaffirm the shared values that underpin our work in the region. Our presence in Serbia Gapuma has established a long-standing and growing presence in Serbia, recognising the country’s role as a strategic economic and logistical gateway to Southeast Europe. Our operations support key sectors through the supply of critical raw materials and bespoke industrial solutions, helping to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic local market. With Serbia’s advantageous geographical position and its ongoing economic reforms, the country is fast becoming a vital partner in regional industrial development. At Gapuma, we focus on fostering long-term relationships through the consistent delivery of high-quality services and materials that match local needs and global standards. Our commitment to collaboration The King’s Official Birthday Party was not only a celebration of a significant national occasion, but also a reminder of the importance of diplomacy, mutual respect, and commercial cooperation. Gapuma values the trust we have earned in Serbia through sustained engagement, investment, and responsiveness to market shifts. Our participation in this event underscores our ongoing commitment to playing a constructive role in Serbia’s economic progress. As our operations in the region continue to grow, we remain firmly focused on delivering value with integrity and on deepening our partnerships across sectors and borders. We extend our warm thanks to the British Embassy in Belgrade for its kind invitation and hospitality, and for its ongoing support of UK companies contributing to Serbia’s development.
🔋 Gapuma Attends 9th European Biofuels Conference in Marbella
10th June 2025 Senior representatives from Gapuma Switzerland AG—Jacques Landolt (Director, Biofuels), Fabrice Brunet (Managing Director), and Rafael Fraletti (Senior Trader)—participated in the 9th European Biofuels Conference, held in Marbella from 2–6 June 2025. Organised by Dropet and hosted at the Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá, the event brought together leading figures from across the European biofuels and renewable energy sector. The conference addressed key challenges and emerging trends shaping the future of sustainable fuels in Europe. Discussions centred on regulatory alignment across EU member states, traceability in biofuel supply chains, and the commercial strategies needed to support large-scale decarbonisation. Participants included a wide range of stakeholders, from producers and refiners to policy advisors and international traders. Notable attendees included ePURE (the European renewable ethanol association), CRISTALCO, Ensus, Marquis Energy, iEthanol, and influential policy groups such as EWABA and the European Biodiesel Board. Their engagement reflected the sector’s growing urgency in aligning innovation, regulation and market demand to support the continent’s clean energy transition. For Gapuma, the event offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange insights with key players in the field, and deepen our strategic commitment to building robust and sustainable biofuel supply networks. These discussions reinforce our mission to deliver energy solutions that are not only commercially viable but also aligned with global environmental priorities. We extend our sincere thanks to Dropet and all participating organisations for their collaboration and contribution to a dynamic and timely event.
Gapuma’s Sunil Bahl to Attend Chem Expo India 2025:
25 April 2025 Gapuma is pleased to announce that Sunil Bahl, our Channel & Product Manager, will be attending Chem Expo India 2025, taking place in Mumbai on 29th and 30th April. The Indian chemical sector — now the sixth largest in the world — continues to experience impressive double-digit growth, fuelled by strong government initiatives such as “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). Chem Expo 2025 promises to bring together leading players from the bulk, fine, and specialty chemicals industries, making it a pivotal platform for both business development and industry networking. With India increasingly recognised as a global powerhouse for specialty chemicals manufacturing, Gapuma’s presence at the event underlines our commitment to expanding opportunities in high-growth economies, particularly across Latin America. Sunil Bahl will be representing Gapuma at the Expo, engaging with exhibitors and industry professionals alike. We warmly invite anyone attending to keep an eye out for Sunil during the event — and if you would like to arrange a meeting or find out more, please get in touch via gapuma.com/contact. We look forward to strengthening partnerships and exploring exciting new avenues in the dynamic world of chemical innovation.
A Journey of Trust and Growth: Yanish’s 10 Years with Gapuma
This month marks a significant milestone for Gapuma Group as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of our highly valued Business Development Manager, Yanish Bhageerutty. Since joining Gapuma in 2015, Yanish has made major contributions to the company’s commercial success, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. From Pharmaceuticals to Pan-African Trade Yanish’s journey to Gapuma has been both unconventional and inspiring. Coming from a background in pharmaceuticals, he quickly adapted to the intricacies of the African mining and industrial sectors, demonstrating a strong capacity for learning and applying new knowledge. His flexibility, commitment, and customer-focused approach have made him a vital contributor to Gapuma’s sustained growth. Supporting Growth and Building Relationships in West Africa Throughout his time at Gapuma, Yanish has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s brand and commercial volume across key West African markets. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana especially, his dedication to building strong, lasting relationships with clients and partners has played a crucial role in expanding Gapuma’s footprint. His in-depth knowledge of customer needs and market dynamics has helped shape Gapuma’s approach in these regions, ensuring responsiveness, trust, and mutual success. Engaging with Regional Opportunities In addition to his day-to-day contributions, Yanish has represented Gapuma at important regional events and forums, helping to build the company’s visibility and reputation as a trusted and forward-looking partner. His understanding of emerging opportunities, including major economic developments across West Africa, continues to inform Gapuma’s growth strategies. A Decade of Dedication and Contribution Over the past decade, Yanish Bhageerutty has been a key member of Gapuma’s journey in West Africa, bringing dedication, insight, and professionalism to every initiative he has been part of. His efforts have helped strengthen Gapuma’s position as a respected and reliable partner across the region. As we mark this anniversary, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Yanish for his outstanding contributions and look forward to seeing his continued impact in the years ahead.