Salvatore Pepe, export area manager of Candy SpA, left Malta last Sunday after a week's visit. Mr Pepe, who is also responsible for North Africa, Cyprus and Southern and Eastern Africa, was here on one of his regular visits for talks with Messrs V. Demajo & Bros of Paola, the agents of Candy appliances in Malta.

The association between the two companies goes back 50 years. In fact, V. Demajo & Bros was the first company to be appointed as agents of Candy Spa worldwide. Candy SpA, which apart from Italy has manufacturing plants all over Europe, including the UK and Spain, producing the whole range of domestic appliances, employs a total of 7,500 employees.

Candy was the first Italian company to manufacture a washing machine way back in 1946. It is therefore no coincidence that Candy is renowned for its efficient, elegant and economical washing machines.

It is to be noted that notwithstanding the significant expansion undertaken by the company over the years, Candy SpA is the only company which is still family-owned and managed by the Fumagalli family. This gives the company the possibility to maintain stricter control and high quality standards.

When asked how, in his opinion, the local market compares with other European countries, Mr Pepe said that in Malta the consumption of domestic appliances is relatively high and that the variety is quite extensive. In the washing machines and built-in models, the pattern is similar to that in the UK, he added. In fact, the demand for built-in models has reached exceptionally high levels.

Mr Pepe praised V. Demajo & Bros and said that the success achieved during their long years of business relationship was undoubtedly attributed to their untiring loyalty towards the Candy brand and the professional after-sales service for which they are renowned.