The winery, slated for completion in 2014, will be equipped with advanced wine-making equipment to produce 50,000 bottles of premium quality wine every year. [...]]]> Fra Brettel, Famalco Group’s wine estates, is finalising its plans for the building of a new state-of-the-art boutique winery next to its vineyards at ‘Ta’ Brettel’ valley, in the limits of Rabat.

The winery, slated for completion in 2014, will be equipped with advanced wine-making equipment to produce 50,000 bottles of premium quality wine every year. The company has just contracted the services of local oenology consultant, to assist in the planning of the winery. Fra Brettel is also in talks with MEPA to make sure that this development will not damage the area’s environment or spoil the valley’s picturesque landscape. The winery’s design includes several energy-efficient measures to cut down the building’s carbon footprint.

Mr. Mallia visiting one of the wineries in Umbria

In February, Hermann Mallia, Famalco Group’s Business Development Director and David Gauci, the Chief Financial Officer, travelled to Umbria, Italy, to visit several wineries across the region. They met the management of these estates and discussed numerous issues related to the sector.

The completion of the boutique winery will be an important milestone for Fra Brettel as it currently has no wine-making facilities where it can fully control the production of wine from the grapes harvested in its vineyards. The Group has invested heavily in the upgrading and embellishment of the wine estates in recent years. As a result, the quality of the yield has been improving year after year. The vineyards grow several varieties of wine grapes, including Moscato Bianco, Vermentino, Viognier, Albarino, Syrah, Negroamaro, Grenache, Mourvedre and Graciano.

Apart from the structural planning of the new winery, Fra Brettel is also conducting in-depth market analysis in Malta and abroad, to identify the current and future trends in the sector. Viticulturists are also carrying out soil analysis studies to identify how they can continue to improve the harvest’s quality.

Fulani Properties, Famalco Group’s property development division, has recently joined the Malta Developers Association.

Set up last year, this association aims “to bring the majority of organised private real estate developers under a single umbrella and act as a potent force that promises the rapid development of the sector,” the association’s website explains. [...]]]>

Fulani Properties, Famalco Group’s property development division, has recently joined the Malta Developers Association.

Set up last year, this association aims “to bring the majority of organised private real estate developers under a single umbrella and act as a potent force that promises the rapid development of the sector,” the association’s website explains. It promotes responsible development and ownership of real estate in Malta through legislative advocacy, educational programs and networking opportunities. For more information, log on www.mda.com.mt.

In the meantime, Fulani has continued working on its current projects. The planning preparations for its upcoming luxury development in the town of Attard, ‘Guatemala Court,’ are nearing their final stages, with demolition and excavation works expected to start this May. This project, which includes 18 luxury residential units, is targeted for completion in the beginning of 2012. The company is also finalising the plans of its new development in Żebbuġ, which will include over 80 residential units and 90 underlying garages.

From Left: Prof. Dulger, Prime Minister Dr. Gonzi, Ms. Zoeller and Mr. Mangion

Prominent, an international electronics company specialised in [...]]]> Prominent Fluid Controls Limited thanked Fahrenheit Freight Forwarders, and its international logistics partner ITG, for years of support and for its assistance in the building of a new plant in Malta, which was inaugurated last month.

From Left: Prof. Dulger, Prime Minister Dr. Gonzi, Ms. Zoeller and Mr. Mangion

Prominent, an international electronics company specialised in water treatment and fluid metering and controls technology, used Fahrenheit’s freight forwarding and logistics services to bring to Malta the sophisticated equipment installed in the new plant at the Bulebel Industrial Estate. Famalco Group’s freight forwarding company and ITG also provides Prominent with all the freight forwarding and logistics services required to transport raw materials and products to and from its factories in Malta, and over 40 countries spread in four continents.

Prominent’s first operations in Malta started in 1988. Today, the German company has three manufacturing plants in Malta employing over 100 engineers, technicians and skilled workers. During the inauguration ceremony, Chris Mangion and Carmen Zoeller, on behalf of Fahrenheit and ITG respectively, met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Prominent chairman Professor Viktor Dulger.

Snap-on, the internationally-acclaimed brand of hand and power tools, diagnostic software and other related products and services, will be launched in Malta in the coming months.

The announcement comes after the American company selected Fapi Motors Ltd. as its authorised dealer in the Maltese Islands. A few weeks ago, Klaus Roithmeier, the Industrial [...]]]>

Snap-on, the internationally-acclaimed brand of hand and power tools, diagnostic software and other related products and services, will be launched in Malta in the coming months.

The announcement comes after the American company selected Fapi Motors Ltd. as its authorised dealer in the Maltese Islands. A few weeks ago, Klaus Roithmeier, the Industrial Account Manager for Germany and Malta, was in Malta to conclude talks with the Famalco Group directors and to sign the dealership contract. Fapi Motors is a member of the Famalco Group.

Under the new contract, Fapi will be entrusted with the sales and marketing of Snap-on’s extensive range of products and services in Malta and Gozo. The company’s Truck & Trailer Spare Parts Division, which already has extensive experience in the sale of tools and related products for the automotive repair industry, will be co-ordinating the importation and distribution of the products. In the meantime, the company is in the process of recruiting specialised sales representatives, who will be receiving training at Snap-on’s European headquarters in Germany.

“During the last years, Fapi Motors’ business development team has been very busy working to add prestigious names to the company’s brand portfolio,” explained Hermann Mallia, Famalco Group’s Business Development Director, “last year we announced collaborations with ZF Transmissions, Maurelli Spa, and Tazzari Motors. Snap-on Incorporated is this year’s first addition, but it will not be the last – we will soon announce the introduction of more renowned American and European brands to maintain our tradition of providing Malta with the world’s best products and services in the automotive industry, and beyond.”

About Snap-on

Pioneering the idea of interchangeable sockets and wrench handles, Joseph Johnson together with William Seidemann, formed the Snap-on Wrench Company in Wisconsin, USA, in 1920. The company manufactured and marketed ten sockets that would “snap on” to five interchangeable handles, a concept that revolutionised the tool industry.

To sell the products, Johnson and Seideman worked with Stanton Palmer, who took the tools directly to customers at their places of business and demonstrated the benefits, which became the cornerstone of the company’s marketing success. As a result of this successful sales strategy, Palmer enlisted Newton Tarble to share the increasing workload. These four founders were responsible for putting Snap-on on the map.

A leader in innovation, as a pioneer of interchangeable sockets and inventor of the Flank Drive® wrenching system, Snap-on has grown its offering to nearly 14,000 products that feature innovative designs and precision manufacturing.

Snap-on’s greatest promotion arguably comes from word-of-mouth testimonials, but the brand is also visibly associated with motor sports. Snap-on has had a professional relationship with auto racing for more than 70 years.

Committed to meeting customers’ rapidly changing needs, the company enhanced its leadership position by increasing the capabilities it offered and expanding the availability of products and services. Today, Snap-on is a $2.5 billion, S&P 500 company and the leading tool supplier in various markets, including vehicle dealerships/repair centres, industry, government, agriculture, natural resources and aviation. The latter is very important for Malta – aviation maintenance is one of the fastest-growing local industries. In fact, Snap-on is already the brand of choice of several local aviation maintenance companies.

www.snapon.com

From left to right: Dr. Christian F. Hemerka, Hermann Mallia, and Charles Cordina, Fritz Energy’s sales executive.

Through Fritz Energy, Famalco [...]]]> Enemalta awarded Hemok Kft, represented in Malta by Fritz Energy, a contract for the supply of biodiesel to fulfill Malta’s obligations in terms of the 2009 EU directive on renewable energy sources.

From left to right: Dr. Christian F. Hemerka, Hermann Mallia, and Charles Cordina, Fritz Energy’s sales executive.

Through Fritz Energy, Famalco Group’s alternative energy and fuel station services division, Hemok will be supplying the national energy corporation with 760,000 litres of biodiesel to be blended with the diesel currently distributed at fuel station pumps. Malta’s diesel is in line with the EU’s obligatory EN590 standard. According to this standard and the EU directive on renewable energy sources, this fuel should ideally be blended with up to 7% biodiesel to cut down greenhouse emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources. This practice already exists in many European countries including France and Germany.

The contract between Enemalta and Hemok Group was signed in January, in the presence of Dr. Christian F. Hemerka, the managing director of Fritz’s Energy’s international partner. Dr. Hemerka explained that the biodiesel that will be bought by Enemalta is the first of its kind in Malta as it actually exceeds the quality benchmarks set by the EU’s biodiesel standard (EN14214). “Hemok Group is the only European company that offers biodiesel that is 100% made from used cooking oil and other recycled oils, making it the most environment-friendly biofuel available.”

The first biodiesel consignment will be delivered to Enemalta by the end of February, confirmed Hermann Mallia, Famalco Group’s Business Development Director. “We are very happy to be providing our country with Europe’s best quality biodiesel just weeks after another company of ours, Fapi Motors, became the first to import second generation electric cars in Malta. We hope to gradually increase the use of biodiesel in Malta to take advantage of its economic and environmental benefits. Independent studies show that the type of biodiesel we are supplying can cut down up to 80% of the greenhouse gasses that would otherwise be emitted by using unblended diesel.”

About Hemok Group

Established in 1996, HEMOK Kft. supplies various types of biofuels, including biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester – FAME). It is based in Hungary, but also operates in Austria, Germany, Poland and various other countries. The group also supplies various by-products of the biodiesel production process, including G-phase for biogas plants, and pharmaceutical glycerine for the pharmaceutical industry. Hemok is the exclusive sales partner of PPM Energy GmbH, one of the leading manufacturers of biodiesel and biogas plants technologies.

www.hemok.net

The race was won in heroic style by Marc Coma closely followed by Cyril Despres, who between them have taken the past six Dakar titles for the Austrian brand.

Cyril [...]]]> KTM wrote another chapter in its history when the sports motorcycle market leaders celebrated taking its tenth consecutive Dakar Rally (January 1st to 15th, 2011) title.

The race was won in heroic style by Marc Coma closely followed by Cyril Despres, who between them have taken the past six Dakar titles for the Austrian brand.

Cyril Despres during one of the rally's final stages

The 2011 Dakar, over 9500 grueling kilometers, was thrilling from the first to the final stage as the two KTM heroes battled it out for the top podium place. The company’s success was further underlined by excellent performances by many other KTM riders – the final top 12 included another seven KTM riders.

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer announced that the company is now entering a new and aggressive era of involvement in rally sport, including the development of the KTM 450 Rally bike in a production model. “I am confident that this new bike is going to add yet another layer of prestige to our brand, following the unprecedented success of other models like the 350 SX-F and the all new 350 EXC-F Factory.”

“We want to see teams and riders from as many countries as possible competing on our bikes. Every KTM rider is a KTM ambassador – whether our own factory team, riders of other teams on KTMs and all the committed privateers who choose our machines!”

Fapi Motors is the authorised dealer of KTM in Malta. For more information, contact Sean on 2339 3100/7943 9508, email info@fapimotors.com or visit the Fapi Showroom at Mdina Road, Attard.

A word from the champion

“What was really tough was that I could not let my guard down, not even for a second. When a tough stage was ending, the next one was even tougher. We all know that a Dakar is a difficult race but this year it was particularly difficult. This victory is the reward of all the hard work, the reward of many years and a lot of tensions over the last few days. It is the bonus you get for steering right and for so many sacrifices over the years.”

Marc Coma
MRW KTM (Factory Team) Driver
Bike: KTM 450 Rally

www.ktm.com
www.dakar.com

Marc Coma lifting the trophy

Last year the company was contracted by the same authority to carry out an nationwide assessment on the state of Maltese filling stations in respect to European regulations. The [...]]]> Fritz Energy is currently busy working on a Malta Resources Authority project aimed at ensuring the safety of all fuel stations in Malta and Gozo.

Last year the company was contracted by the same authority to carry out an nationwide assessment on the state of Maltese filling stations in respect to European regulations. The authority has now asked all operators to carry out an individual assessment and implement the necessary safety measures. These include emergency switches, fire extinguishers, public warning notices and appropriate lengths of hoses.

Fritz Energy, Famalco Group’s energy division, is listed among a few Maltese service companies that are certified to conduct these assessments. In fact, most of the fuel station operators chose the company’s services for this important project.

Ryan Fava, one of Fritz Energy’s engineers, is currently visiting several fuel stations to inspect them and help their owners identify the changes that need to be made to bring them up to scratch.

In the meantime, Fritz Energy is also currently involved in the decommissioning of two old fuel stations in Valletta and in Gozo. The owners of these stations decided to close them down, and Fritz Energy is helping them ensure that they are dismantled safely and that no hazardous chemicals are left in the storage tanks or the pipeline systems.

For more information call Fritz Energy on 2339 2261/7906 0223 or email on info@fritzenergy.com.

A few weeks ago, the agency launched a number of new services through its Facebook page. Facebook users can now contact the company’s estate agents directly to [...]]]> Coldwell Banker Malta, the local representative of the world-renowned real estate agency Coldwell Banker, embarked on a new project to revamp its social media networks.

A few weeks ago, the agency launched a number of new services through its Facebook page. Facebook users can now contact the company’s estate agents directly to request information about the type of property they are seeking to buy or rent. Moreover, photos of the latest properties added to the company’s database are regularly uploaded under various categories for different types of properties and regions in Malta and Gozo.

The company, which forms part of Famalco Group’s property division Fulani Properties, is currently also working on a new website, which will make it even easier for clients to find the properties that fit their requirements in the shortest time possible. The new website is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.

Coldwell Banker Malta operates through three regional offices located in Attard, Fgura and St. Paul’s Bay. For more information call on 21582828/79311177 or email on jgauci@coldwellbankermalta.com.

Click here to join Coldwell Banker Malta’s Facebook page.

The company has just acquired a modern nine-car transporter, and started a weekly service with pick-ups from Fahrenheit’s depots in London and in Manchester. The service is guaranteed under CMR (Convention des Marchandises Routiers) conditions.

For more information and an [...]]]> Fahrenheit Freight Forwarders Ltd has just introduced its weekly car carrier service from the UK to Malta.

The company has just acquired a modern nine-car transporter, and started a weekly service with pick-ups from Fahrenheit’s depots in London and in Manchester. The service is guaranteed under CMR (Convention des Marchandises Routiers) conditions.

For more information and an instant quotation, call on 2339 2221 or email tony@famalco.net.