The company
From 1938 to today, with capacity, ethics and a constant look to the future.
Three generations of trade, transport and engineering — and a single idea of how business should be done.
Our story
A family enterprise that never stopped moving.
The GURSEL company was founded in 1938 by the father of engineer Osman Fuat GURSEL. Its first activity was the management of several theatres in the centre of Istanbul, where operettas, theatre and cinema were staged until the 1960s.
After concluding his engineering degree in 1970, Osman Fuat GURSEL began his activity in the tourism sector, developing it both nationally and internationally. With extensive knowledge of the international and domestic transport sector, he started organising tourist tours throughout Turkish territory — and travellers from various parts of Europe and the world came to rely on the representative of the Gursel agency.
In the years that followed, the tourist agency took the name of GURSEL, then GURSEL IMPORT AND EXPORT, and finally GIE GURSEL IMPORT EXPORT. The company today deals in a range of commodities both nationally and internationally, with commercial contacts all over the world.
That trajectory explains the way we work. A theatre requires precision and timing; a tour requires logistics and care; a trading house requires credibility in every market it touches. GIE was built from all three.
- 1938
- Founded in Istanbul
- 1970
- Engineering & tourism
- 2020
- Food raw materials desk
Milestones
Nearly a century of trade, in five moments.
The company has followed different markets over the years, adapting methods and structures to each one while keeping its values intact.
1938
A family enterprise in Istanbul
The Gursel company is founded by the father of engineer Osman Fuat Gursel. Its first activity is the management of several theatres in the centre of Istanbul, hosting operettas, theatre and cinema until the 1960s.
1970
Engineering and tourism
After concluding his engineering degree, Osman Fuat Gursel enters the tourism sector, developing it nationally and internationally, and organises tourist tours throughout Turkish territory.
Following years
From agency to trading house
Travellers from various parts of Europe and the world rely on the representative of the Gursel agency. The agency takes the name GURSEL, then GURSEL IMPORT AND EXPORT, and finally GIE GURSEL IMPORT EXPORT — dealing in commodities nationally and internationally, with commercial contacts all over the world.
2020
Food raw materials
The company embraces the trade of high-quality food raw materials — oils, cereals, sugar, coffee and proteins — intensifying relations with China and Africa.
Today
Four divisions, one partner
Commodities, food raw materials, construction and logistics operate under a single structure, with a registered office in Istanbul and commercial contacts across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Mission & vision
01 — Mission
Analyse, advise, protect, deliver.
In an increasingly small and competitive world without borders, the purchase and sale of products around the world allows our customers and suppliers to develop their internationalisation. GIE helps, advises and protects them along a path that is sometimes unknown, accompanying the process towards success.
Our mission is to assist customers by analysing the best option based on the information received, and by implementing — through our international network — the most viable and profitable solution.
02 — Vision
Closer to every flow of business.
Our vision for the future includes the creation of several offices on different continents, to be closer to our business flow — and to the producers and buyers who depend on it.
“A modern company, attentive to innovation, capable of following market trends while keeping its values and work philosophy intact.”
Values
The terms on which we trade.
Capacity
Volumes, producer relationships and financial structure that allow us to commit to large programmes, not only single cargoes.
Ethics
Transparent origin, documented quality and agreements that protect both the producer and the buyer.
Continuity
Long relationships with exporters, importers, distributors, buyers and agents — commercial and human capital built over decades.
Foresight
Attention to innovation and market trends, with the intention to open offices on different continents to stay close to the flow of business.
Work with GIE
A partner who has been doing this since 1938.
Tell us about the product and the market. We will tell you, plainly, what is possible and on what terms.