Gerardo Lugo named Chief Commercial Officer as Pablo Ramirez and Petri van der Merwe advance to Vice Presidents of Global Licensing, reflecting Sun World’s strategic expansion and innovation efforts.
Sun World International, a global leader in fruit variety development and licensing, announced significant changes to its executive team on October 1, 2024, signaling its ongoing growth and strategic development.
Gerardo Lugo has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and current Global Licensing Directors Pablo Ramirez and Petri van der Merwe have been promoted to Vice Presidents of Global Licensing. These changes are part of Sun World’s efforts to maximize opportunities following its acquisition of Biogold, a company known for its expertise in citrus, mango, and avocado genetics.
Bernardo Calvo, Sun World’s President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed confidence in the leadership changes, saying, “It’s a cause for celebration in any organization to announce the promotion of not just one, but two valued team members. But also adding Gerardo, who I’ve long known and deeply respect, reflects our collective optimism at Sun World.” Calvo emphasized that Lugo, Ramirez, and van der Merwe are well-equipped to immediately contribute to the company’s growth trajectory.
Gerardo Lugo, who will report directly to Calvo, brings with him extensive experience in the agricultural sector, having spent three decades working in senior commercial and strategic roles at Monsanto and Bayer, primarily focusing on row crop and vegetable seed businesses. He has led operations across various regions, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and has developed numerous innovative strategies to drive growth. His appointment as CCO is expected to further Sun World’s expansion and enhance its global market presence.
From left to right: Bernardo Calvo, Gerardo Lugo, Pablo Ramírez, and Petri van der Merwe | Images: Courtesy of Sun World
Meanwhile, Pablo Ramirez and Petri van der Merwe, now VPs of Global Licensing, have played pivotal roles in expanding Sun World’s reach and implementing system-wide processes to improve alignment with and support for their licensees. They will be joined by Viresh Ramburan, another recently appointed Vice President of Global Licensing, and will oversee the company’s licensing activities and team, reporting to Lugo.
Sun World’s strong growth can be attributed to three core factors. Firstly, the progress made by its scientists and agronomists in developing a robust pipeline of high-quality table grape and stone fruit varieties. These developments have allowed Sun World to replace older or public varieties with superior new genetics, leading to expansion in both existing and new markets.
Secondly, the acquisition of Biogold in 2024 has significantly enriched Sun World’s portfolio. Biogold, based in South Africa, is renowned for its expertise in citrus, mangoes, and avocados. This acquisition has created synergies that enable Sun World to serve a broader range of customers by offering some of the world’s most in-demand fruit genetics. The combined strengths of Sun World and Biogold are enhancing the company’s ability to provide superior genetics and cultivate strong relationships with licensees.
Lastly, Sun World’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies has played a foundational role in its growth. The company is exploring advancements in artificial intelligence, scientific breakthroughs, and the strategic use of data and analytics to improve its speed to market and better serve its licensees. According to a press release, Sun World believes that these innovations, approached with discipline and discernment, can significantly impact its ability to support and expand its global presence.
Since its establishment, Sun World International has remained dedicated to sustainability and innovation in fruit variety development. The company pioneered developing and licensing seedless grape varieties and has maintained a strong genetics program for over three decades.
With the acquisition of Biogold, Sun World has broadened its specialization to include table grapes, stone fruit, cherries, citrus, mangoes, and avocados, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry. More information about the company’s activities and growth can be found at their official website, sun-world.com.
These leadership appointments and the strategic focus on emerging technologies and acquisitions like Biogold reflect Sun World’s dedication to strengthening its market position and supporting the needs of its global licensees with innovative and superior fruit genetics.
