A new Farsons packaging centre for soft drinks and a state-of-the-art logistics centre were inaugurated this evening by President Eddie Fenech Adami.
Group chairman Bryan Gera said the €24.5 million investment, which has been three years in the making, would enable Farsons to remain a market leader in the domestic market and encourage it to further exploit the potential of its branded products on the export markets.
The inauguration was held under a huge marquee set up between the two new projects. Those present included, members of the government, members of the commercial and industrial community and many overseas guests, including representatives of Anheuser Busch, Carlsberg, and Pepsico, with which Farsons has a business relationship. Another group included eight representatives from the United States,, Italy, and Russia who are all either buying Kinnie and/or Cisk products from Farsons or about to sign up.
Mr Gera paid tribute to the late Lewis Farrugia for his vision in seeing the potential of a brewery in Malta in the post war era, and to the late Anthony Miceli Farrugia for his additions to the company’s portfolio, particularly Kinnie that made its mark in the soft drinks market in Malta and overseas. He thanked the present Group CEO, Lewis Farrugia for conceiving and managing the masterplan for the brewery.
Mr Farrugia said these two projects would enable Farsons to increase its efficiency, enhance its quality and improve its service.
“These projects will enable us to keep moving ahead and to meet the challenges of a completely liberalised market whilst guaranteeing the quality of the branded products the Farsons Group produces and is privileged to be associated with,” said Mr Farrugia.
The last phase of the Brewery Master Plan is the building of a new brewhouse, scheduled to start in mid-2009 and be in operation by the end of the first quarter of 2011. On completion, the main brewery building will be freed up and Farsons are planning to make good use of it as a possible business park for the financial services industry.