Photo caption:
Beekeeping Ethos
Even in feudal times, beekeepers remained free people, and their honesty was trusted to such an extent that they didn't have to swear an oath when testifying in court. "We respect these values and want to promote them," emphasizes Jerzy Rugała (pictured with his wife).
Article Translation:
LUBLIN LEADER — APITEC (103rd Place Nationwide)
A Philosopher in the Apiary
According to 2021 research, Poland has approximately 90,000 beekeepers who maintain around 2 million bee colonies in their apiaries.
Apitec is a family business specializing in supplying apiaries, importing, and exporting beekeeping equipment.
"We provide materials and equipment for sustainable apiary management. From the beginning, the company's operations have been based on e-commerce," says its founder, Jerzy Rugała.
Jerzy holds a Master's degree in Philosophy but also has a beekeeping technician qualification and runs his own apiary. His acquired knowledge in beekeeping significantly aids him in business.
The impulse to start the company came from his search for specialized equipment to equip his own apiary. The business contacts he established not only helped him acquire what he needed but also allowed him to offer interesting products and solutions to others.
"I am convinced that without competition, our company could not operate efficiently. Therefore, we focus more on developing formulas for coexistence in the shared market. We often collaborate with entities that compete with us in various areas, and this generally doesn't hinder our business contacts," emphasizes the founder of Apitec.
Building close and lasting relationships with clients is a priority for the company. Apitec is involved in various industry initiatives, such as the Mead Madness Cup, Europe's largest mead competition.
"Many beekeepers are true enthusiasts; we share these passions and feel part of the beekeeping community. I believe our involvement yields good results; we have many loyal customers and continue to attract new ones," says the owner.
Due to an increasing number of foreign clients, the company has launched an English version of its website. It also aims to strengthen its B2B sales channel, including through a special platform for wholesale purchases.
Apiaries are found in every corner of our country and across the globe, wherever plants can bloom. This is a vast market niche with a global reach, in which many companies operate.
The beekeeping sector is characterized by seasonality. Over three-quarters of the company's annual revenue is generated during the spring and summer season.
"I am concerned about the recent period of economic instability. Our company is grappling with the effects of supply chain disruptions, rising commodity prices, and operating costs, among other things. Many factors point to an economic downturn. In this situation, there's growing concern about maintaining profitability at a satisfactory level," shares Jerzy Rugała.