Alberta Fire Safety and Security – shortlisted for the Most Improved Corporate Exporter Category (annual turnover more than €10m)
At 38, Liz Barbaro Sant is one of the three family directors steering Alberta in a direction that has taken the business from strength to strength.
Alberta designs, supplies, installs and maintains fire, safety, security, environment and marine solutions, from small-scale domestic projects to larger multi-faceted organisations in the construction, oil and gas industries, banks, hospitals, hotels and other large organisations.
Founded by George Barbaro Sant 25 years ago, Alberta started off as a micro enterprise dedicated to the supply of basic fire control solutions. His daughter Liz has been with the company for just over 20 years. She was soon joined by her brother Duncan, whose passion for security resulted in Alberta’s first steps towards diversification, extending the company’s services to include the provision of security solutions.
The company has come a long way since then, growing exponentially from a team of five to a large enterprise with a staff complement of 200 in Malta and another 80 overseas, spread across its bases in Libya and Qatar. The dynamism, dedication and enthusiasm of the directors is an important factor of the company’s success, particularly in export to North Africa and the Middle East, where Alberta has been thriving.
“There is strong potential in these regions, but they are not easy markets to tap,” says Ms Barbaro Sant. “There are cultural aspects that need to be respected religiously. But as soon as you earn trust, doors open: we have been reaping attractive benefits from providing consistent service of high standards in fire and security solutions for contracts of different dimensions.”
“Word of mouth is what has put us on the map effectively. Reliability is our passport. And the fact that Alberta is a one-stop-shop providing the full circle of services required.”
She added that the secret in the equation to success had been Alberta’s people. “From my mother, who organises our family from behind the scenes to enable us to function to our full potential, to my sister, who is furthering her studies to rejoin the business later, and every other single person on our payroll, this is the structure which makes us what we are. Our staff is our strongest asset. Alberta invests invest heavily in its potential, not only through reward and training – for which we have an open budget – but most importantly, by giving them the space and leadership possibilities to deliver in the way they deem best. It gives them ownership.”
At a glance
Alberta Fire Safety and Security is a leading provider of complete end-to-end solutions.
Over its 25 years of operation, the company registered a growth rate of 800 per cent; 30 per cent of its business is in exports.
The company is the only Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)-certified company outside the UK and Ireland. Alberta undergoes biannual LPCB audits, ensuring the quality and safety of equipment and systems in accordance with European standards.
www.alberta.com.mt