Salvo Grima Group celebrates 150th anniversary this year

The Salvo Grima Group, one of Malta's longest established family businesses this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. The group ushered in the year by unveiling its new corporate identity and vision for the future.

"From its humble beginnings in the mid-1800s the business was built on solid principles of honesty, integrity and service," the company said.

The business today is managed by a combination of fifth generation family members and outside management. Members of the sixth generation are also working in the group. In 1860 Salvatore Grima purchased the chandlery business from his employer. Salvo, as he was known, steered his business wisely and sought to serve naval and merchant ships with equal care and efficiency.

Over the last two decades, the group embarked on a bold programme of diversification and today runs a strong versatile network of varied businesses.

Salvo Grima was the first enterprise to go into warehousing at the Malta Freeport. Its extensive warehouse facility at the freeport makes it easy for clients to consolidate their consignments before shipping to third countries.

The group is also very active in the travel retail and distribution business.

From a single duty free shop in the early 1980s at Pinto Wharf this business has developed to travel retail outlets at Malta International Airport and is a strategic supplier to outlets at the Malta Cruise Passenger Terminal (Viset) and Tripoli International Airport.

The group entered the Libyan market in the mid 1980s and originally had developed a business servicing the oil industry. Over the last 25 years the group developed its interests there which today include logistics and ship supply services.

The group's latest venture, Rentastore, is proof that as it enters its 150th year of business the company is still growing and diversifying.