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23 November 2020

Exposed Magazine

Viktor Ponomarchuk, hailing from Vinnytsia, stands at the helm of ViOil, an eminent industrial conglomerate in Ukraine. As a prominent personality in the Vinnytsia region, he significantly contributes to the local economy as one of its top taxpayers and employers. Under his astute guidance, ViOil has risen to prominence as a key player in the Ukrainian oilseed market. Ponomarchuk’s strategic foresight has broadened ViOil’s influence, establishing a series of manufacturing facilities across Ukraine. This expansion allows the company to distribute its high-quality offerings to diverse international markets, encompassing the European Union, Arabian Peninsula, Far East Asia, and the African continent.

Early Foundations in Vinnitsa

Rooted in Vinnitsa, Viktor Evgenevich Ponomarchuk’s upbringing was shaped by a lineage of grit and hard work. His father, a World War II veteran, and his mother, an accountant, both of whom have since passed, left an indelible mark on his character.

As a youth, Ponomarchuk’s interests were dual-fold: he was deeply engaged in art school, cultivating his creative side, while simultaneously nurturing a keen interest in precise sciences, especially mathematics. His teenage years were marked by a sense of independence and industriousness, exemplified by his work on mosaic panels.

Viktor Ponomarchuk: Educational Endeavors and Early Career

Viktor’s academic pursuits led him to Vinnitsa Polytechnic Institute, where he honed his skills in telematics engineering. Post-graduation, he delved into scientific research, particularly in the nascent years following the Soviet Union’s dissolution. However, sensing the potential in Ukraine’s emerging economy, Viktor pivoted towards entrepreneurship.

Personal Life

Viktor Ponomarchuk’s personal life is marked by stability and continuity. He is married and has an adult son, who has chosen to uphold the family tradition by contributing to the ViOil industrial group.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

The 1990s saw Viktor’s entry into the business world. After thorough research in sectors like agriculture and initial forays into the stock market, he co-founded the KMT holding company in 1997. This venture diversified into various fields, including real estate, machinery, and the oils and fats trade, with Ponomarchuk holding a significant 50% stake.

By 1998, KMT had taken under its wing two financially strapped oil and fat plants in Vinnitsa and Chernovtsy. Under Viktor’s guidance, these plants pioneered the processing of low-grade rapeseed in Ukraine, simultaneously spurring demand for the crop. Their strategy included distributing superior French seeds to local farmers, enhancing raw material quality.

A significant breakthrough came with the introduction of “Violiya” brand oil in plastic packaging, a move that expanded the company’s reach to the CIS countries, Central Asia, and the Baltic states.

ViOil: A New Chapter

In 2006, Viktor Evgenevich Ponomarchuk embarked on a new journey, founding ViOil. Starting with two oil and fat plants and seven grain elevators, ViOil, under Viktor’s direction, rapidly expanded, tapping into the oil-processing industry’s potential. This expansion led to a remarkable increase in regional sunflower production, which quintupled within two years.

Viktor guided ViOil through the 2008 economic turmoil with strategic acumen, focusing on growth and modernization. This period was marked by the acquisition of additional grain elevators and a push towards modernization.

Entering the 2010s, ViOil, under Ponomarchuk’s leadership, had cemented its market position, with oil exports reaching up to 190,000 tons. 2013 was a milestone year with the launch of a cutting-edge oil extraction plant in Vinnitsa, tripling the company’s production capacity. This growth trajectory continued with a significant expansion in soy processing capabilities.

Present-Day ViOil

Under the ingenious guidance of Viktor Ponomarchuk, ViOil has achieved remarkable success. The company boasts a committed workforce of over two thousand employees and operates thirteen grain storage facilities, focusing primarily on exporting its products. ViOil takes pride in its extensive distribution network, annually exporting about 300,000 tons of sunflower and rapeseed oil across more than 60 countries worldwide.

Beyond ViOil, Ponomarchuk’s entrepreneurial flair has led to the expansion of the company’s influence to an additional 26 enterprises within Ukraine. This includes the esteemed JSC “Kordelevskiy Regional Inter-farm Feed Mill,” further establishing Ponomarchuk’s status as a prominent figure in the Ukrainian industrial and agricultural landscapes.

Viktor Ponomarchuk: Forging Global Financial Alliances and Achieving Industry Acclaim

The business endeavors of Viktor Ponomarchuk have impressively extended into the realm of international finance, particularly forging strong ties with European banking powerhouses. This strategic networking mirrors the group’s unwavering commitment to operational transparency and its esteemed reputation in the global financial sector.

2015 marked a significant financial breakthrough for Ponomarchuk’s ViOil when it orchestrated a successful negotiation for a $40 million syndicated loan. This financial boost, facilitated primarily by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and ING Bank N.V., significantly enhanced the firm’s capital for operational needs.

Advancing to 2017, ViOil witnessed further financial empowerment when a consortium of leading European banks came forward with an $80 million pre-export financing package. This injection of funds was pivotal in addressing the company’s capital requirements for the fiscal period of 2017/18.

Elevating ViOil to Global Recognition

  • In the year 2016, ViOil earned a prestigious place as the world’s third-largest vegetable oil producer, simultaneously ranking in the eighth and tenth positions among the top sunflower oil exporters globally.
  • The year 2017 saw ViOil ascend in the Ukrainian market with notable rankings, such as:
  •  Ranking third among Ukraine’s top-15 soybean meal producers.
  •  Achieving the tenth spot among the top-15 refined sunflower oil producers.
  •  Securing the third position in Ukraine’s top-10 rapeseed oil producers.
  • Earning a place as the tenth top soybean oil producer in the top-20 category.
  • Being third in Ukraine’s top-15 unrefined sunflower oil producers.
  • In 2018, the company further solidified its industry position by becoming the fifth-leading soybean meal exporter from Ukraine.

2020 brought additional acclaim to Viktor Ponomarchuk, as he was distinguished by “Focus” magazine as the 90th most prominent business figure in Ukraine, with a net worth estimated at $85 million, highlighting his formidable influence in the Ukrainian business domain.

Ponomarchuk’s Blueprint for Business Excellence

  1. Innovation-Driven Approach: Ponomarchuk’s philosophy centers around evolving and advancing, focusing on sectors that had previously been overlooked to achieve outstanding results.
  2. Detail-Oriented Management: Vigilance in overseeing every aspect of his business operations is crucial. Ponomarchuk’s regular visits to his production sites ensure he remains intimately connected with the day-to-day activities.
  3. Effective Delegation: Understanding the importance of delegation, Ponomarchuk empowers his team, freeing himself to focus on strategic growth and scalability.
  4. Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Fundamental to his success is an unwavering dedication to continual learning and improvement, including learning from past mistakes.