New plastic card factory to start operations early next year

Work has started at Xewkija Industrial Estate on a factory which will house a high-end plastic card manufacturing facility due to start operating in Gozo in the first quarter of next year.

The factory is being set up by Italian firm Bryvarc which will initially be investing €4 million and employing 58 over the next three years.

Bryvarc specialises in the production and personalisation of plastic cards for a large number of Italian, North African and Middle Eastern banks, telecommunications providers, retail operations and the tourism industry. Bryvarc Trading Company SRL submitted a proposal to Malta Enterprise to open a new manufacturing branch in the Xewkija Industrial Estate in August 2008.

Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks Chairman, Alan Camilleri, welcomed the investment, especially its location in Gozo: “It is positive that we are seeing more foreign investors understand that Gozo is an equally attractive investment location with a number of advantages not found elsewhere. The incentive package offered by Malta Enterprise has been a determining factor in managing to secure this important investment for the country. Moreover, given the specific nature of this business, Malta Enterprise believes that the presence of Bryvarc should lead to further spin-offs for the local market as local operators are currently having to order their plastic cards from abroad.” he said.

Bryvarc had been considering other locations besides the Maltese Islands, but Bryvarc CEO Carlo Faranda, said that Malta Enterprise had been successful in facilitating their negotiations with the banks and other entities.

“Thanks to our dealings with Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks Limited and the professional and invaluable assistance of their staff throughout the process, we are looking forward to continued collaboration during the setting up phase of the company. We have long term plans in Malta and our investment plan sees the rapid expansion of this facility within a short time frame possibly employing up to a 100 people within the first five years. Our export orders over the past months have increased tremendously and our strategic merger with Pikappa will enable us to enter into new markets and reach new heights.”

Bryvarc plans to employ Gozitan workers and fully train them in the use of high-tech equipment. They will take advantage of the package of industrial incentives available specifically for companies setting up in Gozo, as well as other incentives offered by Malta Enterprise as well as availing themselves of industrial space in Xewkija Industrial Estate provided for by Malta Industrial Parks Ltd.