Raphael Gonzalez Email & Phone Number

Ghana

When we founded Savannah Fruits Company in 2006 it was a side project born out of our passion for profitable sustainability. The company has now reached a size where it allows both founders to change their role from strategic advisors to working in the company.The Savannah Fruits Company (SFC) is Ghana based and focuses on sustainable production and export of high quality traditionally handcrafted Shea butter as well as other African natural products such as Virgin Coconut Oil, Black… Show more When we founded Savannah Fruits Company in 2006 it was a side project born out of our passion for profitable sustainability. The company has now reached a size where it allows both founders to change their role from strategic advisors to working in the company.The Savannah Fruits Company (SFC) is Ghana based and focuses on sustainable production and export of high quality traditionally handcrafted Shea butter as well as other African natural products such as Virgin Coconut Oil, Black Soap, Baobab oil etc. We deliver high quality ingredients to the international edible and cosmetic markets. We work with local cooperatives, empowering Ghanaian women in a sustainable, profitable manner. We offer fully traceable supply chain and logistics from start to finish: the collection of the nuts in the shea parklands in West Africa; the processing in communities; the organic refining in state of the art facilities in Europe; and the transport and delivery to our worldwide clients. Being well established in West Africa, I am excited to help sourcing new natural African resources and bring them to the world, to extend our range of products and work with more local communities. Show less

Nigeria

Joining Mane was my opportunity to get back into the cosmetics and fragrance industry. Although Mane is a large organisation, Nigeria had a small local team, making the role of Managing Director a hands-on position. Working with Mane’s experts I gained a thorough understanding of the requirements of the cosmetics industry. Understanding the trends and applications allows me to match the needs of the clients and proactive advise on the best ingredients for their products.Nigeria… Show more Joining Mane was my opportunity to get back into the cosmetics and fragrance industry. Although Mane is a large organisation, Nigeria had a small local team, making the role of Managing Director a hands-on position. Working with Mane’s experts I gained a thorough understanding of the requirements of the cosmetics industry. Understanding the trends and applications allows me to match the needs of the clients and proactive advise on the best ingredients for their products.Nigeria is a challenging but promising market. Finding my way out there and substantially develop Mane’s business gave me an even better understanding of the African business environment. Show less

Ghana

I was in charge of setting up supply chains in Africa and identifying potential raw materials according to market needs. Nexira didn’t have a physical presence in Africa at that stage, I was setting up a subsidiary of a European company in West Africa.Establishing this part of the company from scratch meant dealing with logistics, staffing, recruiting, facilities and local institutions. Once our purchasing platform was operating we focused on building supply chains in sight of further… Show more I was in charge of setting up supply chains in Africa and identifying potential raw materials according to market needs. Nexira didn’t have a physical presence in Africa at that stage, I was setting up a subsidiary of a European company in West Africa.Establishing this part of the company from scratch meant dealing with logistics, staffing, recruiting, facilities and local institutions. Once our purchasing platform was operating we focused on building supply chains in sight of further plant extract production.Business in Europe and in Africa is conducted differently. My role was to bridge the cultural gap between the expectations of western clients and the reality and challenges of African production and supply in order to achieve the best outcomes for both. Show less

Nexira is the world leader in Arabic Gum supplying the cosmetic, food and nutraceutical industries. Besides Arabic Gum my focus was to source and trade a wide variety of African pant materials. We took the sourcing one step further by also proposing new product and possibilities to clients. Building a network throughout the whole supply chain in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean allowed me to source unique products and gain access to communities.My role included auditing production… Show more Nexira is the world leader in Arabic Gum supplying the cosmetic, food and nutraceutical industries. Besides Arabic Gum my focus was to source and trade a wide variety of African pant materials. We took the sourcing one step further by also proposing new product and possibilities to clients. Building a network throughout the whole supply chain in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean allowed me to source unique products and gain access to communities.My role included auditing production processes, advising local suppliers on issues such as post-harvest handling and working together with them on quality control. Show less

Aquaculture was up and coming and really interested me at the time. When the opportunity arose to work in this new industry and be stationed on Corsica, it was an easy choice to make. Businesswise it turned out to be a smart move. Having only worked in Africa, my time at Gloria Maris taught me business skills in the western world.As fish is an ultra fresh product, sales drives the whole process. As sales manager I was involved in production, marketing and logistics. In just two… Show more Aquaculture was up and coming and really interested me at the time. When the opportunity arose to work in this new industry and be stationed on Corsica, it was an easy choice to make. Businesswise it turned out to be a smart move. Having only worked in Africa, my time at Gloria Maris taught me business skills in the western world.As fish is an ultra fresh product, sales drives the whole process. As sales manager I was involved in production, marketing and logistics. In just two years the turnover increased from 200 metric tons a year to 1000. This meant there was a need for an equal increase in sales. By obtaining certification in sustainable fish farming we were able to set to company apart and meet those targets reaching high quality markets in all of Europe. Show less

World Essential oils Sourcing and Trading (WEST) was a partnership between an established trader, Barbex and myself focused on sustainable essential oils.My territory for sourcing essential oils expanded in this role from Ghana to West Africa and Indian Ocean. Apart from sourcing new products (karo karounde for example), I was also tasked with auditing the whole production and supply chains, making sure all partners complied with our clients’ ethical and environmental standards.

Ghana

Barbex was a coffee plantation looking to diversify and expand its line of business. This was an exciting role as my colleague and I were involved in the whole business transformation.After identifying essential oil production as a viable option we introduced new crops such as Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Vetiver and developed existing ones like Citronella and Ginger. Supply no longer came from just the plantation itself (500ha), but also from outgrower cooperatives in Ghana.Getting… Show more Barbex was a coffee plantation looking to diversify and expand its line of business. This was an exciting role as my colleague and I were involved in the whole business transformation.After identifying essential oil production as a viable option we introduced new crops such as Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Vetiver and developed existing ones like Citronella and Ginger. Supply no longer came from just the plantation itself (500ha), but also from outgrower cooperatives in Ghana.Getting the organic certification had a great impact on production and processing of the crops. At the time, going organic was a new and uncertain thing in Africa. As early adopters we had a headstart when other companies realised organic, sustainable production was here to stay. Show less

Ingénieur, Agro Economy

ISTOM was the logical choice to combine my interest in Agriculture and my drive for sustainable development. This degree included hands.

Bac