6pm office inaugurated

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officially opened the new premises of 6pm Ltd in 21st September Avenue, Naxxar, on Wednesday. Speeches were delivered by Dr Gonzi and 6pm Ltd's principal director Ivan Bartolo.

Ivan Bartolo and other principal directors Steve Wightman and Alan West-Robinson hosted the guests to a formal reception after the inauguration. Among those invited were various major suppliers and business partners that have been instrumental to 6pm's success.

6pm is one of Malta's leading IT companies, with revenues in excess of £6 million. With offices in Malta and the UK, 6pm has offered IT services to a number of international clients, such as Cap Gemini, Sungard Vivista, Fujitsu, Verizon (USA), UK local government, Toyota GB and BT.

6pm was founded in 1996 by Mr Bartolo. During the first few years of operation the company specialised in the provision of software development and Agile consultancy for large companies in the UK, Scandinavia and the US, including British Airways, PRG Shultz, Storebrand and Verizon. By 2004 the company employed 17 people.

In September 2004, 6pm Management Consultancy UK was set up by Alan West-Robinson and Steve Wightman. By the end of 2005 the group's turnover increased substantially from £450,000 in 2004 to over £3.5 million.

Employee figures also doubled and were complemented with a number of UK contractors to fill in the skills gap that existed in certain areas.

In view of the rapid growth in operations experienced over the last couple of years, in 2006 the group went through a major restructuring of the business to consolidate its position.

This restructuring also included the move to the new premises in Naxxar to be able to house the increase in employees which has grown to 50+ in the Malta office alone. Over the past two months the company has recruited over 10 people and is still recruiting.

The company's client base is also expanding heavily. The sales team in the UK has grown from two in 2004 to seven. New clients this year alone include Shanks Waste Management, Focus Solutions, Checkfree and British Telecom.

The company now intends to take this success a step further. 6pm has submitted an application to the Malta Financial Services Authority to float the company on the Malta Stock Exchange. The company's prospectus is currently being reviewed. Subject to approval, the company targets to float during the last quarter of this year.

6pm was awarded the National ICT Award for IT Company of the Year in 2006. The company is on the preferred supplier list for Cap Gemini UK and clients include Leicester City Council, Toyota GB, British Airways, Centurion and BT.

www.6pmmalta.com.