Bantam Materials International was formed in Montreal, Canada in 2005 by Vytas Gruodis, a career materials distribution executive with over 25 years of experience in global trade. We offer the full depth of our industry knowledge and technical expertise to meet our customers’ exacting requirements for recycled raw materials.
In 2011, Bantam Materials UK Ltd opened its London, UK office managed by director Raffi Schieir, MBA, a 15-year finance and international business development professional. Bantam UK’s mandate is to bring premium, regulated recycled raw materials to key European markets through a commitment to understanding customer needs.
In 2014, we opened a full time Bantam office in Costa Rica, allowing us to maintain a higher level of proximity to and control over numerous key supply points.
In 2016 Vytas and Raffi jointly opened Bantam EU in Dublin carrying the same mandate as Bantam UK.
Vytas and Raffi take immense pride in the skilled team assembled to audit and coordinate supply in order to serve our customers in high volumes. Vytas and Raffi also take pride in providing a level of face to face communication that is unique in the market.
Most importantly, we go to work each day knowing that our activities have a direct and immediate impact on preventing scrap plastic from reaching the oceans, as well as providing a guaranteed life sustaining income for families in poverty.

Our Team
Raffi Schieir, MBA
Director, Europe
Mobile: +44 (0) 758 577 4491
Email: Raffi.Schieir@bantaminc.com
Vytas Gruodis
Director, North America
Mobile: +1 514 418 2528
Email: Vytas.Gruodis@bantaminc.com
Raffi Schieir, MBA
Director, Europe
Mobile: +44 (0) 758 577 4491
Email: Raffi.Schieir@bantaminc.com
Michelle Khodabacksh
Logistics Manager, Europe
Email: Michelle@bantamltd.com
Natasha Ward
Information & Development Manager, Europe
Email: natasha.ward@bantamltd.com
Jordan Menec
Logistics Coordinator, Europe
Email: jordan.menec@bantamltd.com
Kirsten Thompson
Office Coordinator, Europe
Email: kirsten.thompson@bantamltd.com
Cheryl Yusuf
Finance Manager, Europe
Email: cheryl.yusuf@bantamltd.com
Carolina Velarde
COO and Office Manager, North America
Email: Carolina.Velarde@bantaminc.com
Katya Cornejo
Freight & Logistics Specialist, North America
Email: katya.cornejo@bantaminc.com
Marian Rodriguez
Logistics & Administration Support, North America
Email: marian.rodriguez@bantaminc.com
Fernando Aguirre
Office & Administration Support, North America
Email: fernando.aguirre@bantaminc.com