Base was formed in January 2005, when Gilmore Export Facilitators CC was merged with the newly registered Base organization.

The business is run on a day to day basis by Ernest Blomkamp, Robert Smit, Paula Blomkamp and Jannie Pretorius. Ernest is the founder and ex MD of a listed fruit company, Robert is an experienced fruit and logistics expert, and a trained wine maker, Paula is an experienced brand manager with extensive experience in international marketing, and Jannie is perhaps the best technical man in South Africa.

The executive are ably assisted by some excellent non exec partners. Piet Maritz of the influential PJM Citrus Group in Komatipoort, is an invaluable partner who has brought much business into the company, and Dimitri Coutras, a marketing expert and consultant to the wine industry, has provided invaluable help with the branding and marketing of the wine products that we handle. Steve Ryan and Chris Keevey (stationed in Mauritius and Swaziland respectively) are in joint venture arrangements to offer growers and buyers a more intergrated service.