Simonds Farsons Cisk's 75th anniversary concert

"Through Neptune's Eyes", a celebration concert to mark the 75th anniversary of Simonds Farsons Cisk was held on Friday at the new Hilton Conference Centre, Portomaso, under the patronage of President Guido de Marco.

The very first Maltese beer, Farsons Pale Ale, was launched by entrepreneur Lewis V. Farrugia in 1928. From relatively humble origins, Farsons has grown to become one of the eminent Maltese business groups, run by Maltese personnel, producing Maltese flagship brands and fully Maltese-owned.

One of the concert's highlights was an impressive audio-visual presentation, produced by BPC International, featuring live narration and musical performances. The presentation, narrated by well-known broadcaster Charles Abela-Mizzi, traced milestones in the company's history over the past 75 years in the context of Malta's social and economic progress.

In his address, Farsons Group Chief Executive Louis A. Farrugia, son of the founder Lewis V. Farrugia, welcomed the many distinguished guests, who included descendants of the three founding groups, the Simonds, Scicluna and Farrugia families.

Mr Farrugia paid a special tribute to Ninì Miceli-Farrugia (1914-2002), past chairman and managing director, whose contributions to Farsons included the launching of Kinnie, and was particularly pleased to welcome his widow, Lilian.

The Group's diversification strategy has led to the setting up of Food Chain Holdings and Wands, which imports and markets leading international brands of spirits, wines, non-alcoholic beverages and beers.

"The vision and determination of the pioneers of this business inspires us all until this day," Mr Farrugia said. "Farsons now looks forward to an exciting future as a more diversified group of companies still providing excellent products and services, security to its employees and a continued good return on investment to its shareholders."

In his speech, Bryan A Gera, chairman of Simonds Farsons Cisk, said: "It is encouraging to witness the trust which the Maltese public has shown in our company since our first public share issue in 1948." The Farsons Group has always been referred to as a model employer. Mr Gera acknowledged the contribution made by all Group employees to establish Farsons on such a firm footing.

In his concluding address, Professor de Marco commented: "Despite the difficulties brought about by the political, economic and social situation in the first decades of last century, Farsons soldiered on. Over the last 75 years, Farsons developed into a leading Maltese group of companies, producing a portfolio of high quality products. With excellent management and a highly prepared workforce, Farsons can be defined as a shining example of a commendable relationship between management and workforce. All these characteristics are a guarantee that Farsons is here to stay."

The evening - impeccably compered by Moira Delia - came to an end with a classical concert, featuring leading young local talent, namely Claire Angèle Baluci, the aka Phellas, the Jubal Ensemble, Noel Galea, Miriam Cauchi, Simon Abdilla Joslin, Rosetta Debattista and Janet Vella.

The evening's artistic director was Remò Mifsud.

Among the distinguished guests were the Prime Minister and Mrs Fenech Adami, as well as senior representatives of international companies associated with the Farsons group. These included Raymond Simonds, son of Duncan Simonds, who was managing director of Simonds Brewery till 1963, and Mrs Simonds, Willem Jan Rote, Vice President (Western Europe) of Pepsico Beverages International, and Mrs Rote, and Dott. Antonio Molinari, owner of the world famous Sambuca Molinari, and Mrs Molinari.