The prime minister yesterday evening inaugurated the new flagship Maypole Bakery in Handaq, Qormi.. The new facility spans 3,000 square metres.

It was designed to deliver the output required to match the ever-increasing demand for Maypole bread, confectionery and other freshly baked products. In addition, the facility includes the capability to produce frozen foods that complete the Maypole product range, now spanning over 400 different foods.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Helga Ellul, chairman of the Maypole Board of Directors, stated that, "This represents a significant investment and bears testament to the commitment that the Debono family has towards producing traditional products of unparalleled quality."

Nenu Debono, managing director, went on to describe the bakery as, "a labour of love and the fruit of decades of tireless work and innovation. We have overcome adversity since the beginning of the Maypole tradition by continuous adaptation and investment. This is our latest significant investment, another step towards our drive to deliver the highest quality while preserving our National culinary traditions."

The prime minister was shown around the state-of-the-art bakery by Nenu Debono and his sons Mario, James and Sebastian. Commenting after the tour, The Hon. Dr Lawrence Gonzi stated that, "This kind of commitment, investment and dedication is the hallmark of Maltese industry and shows why, even when faced with hardship, the drivers of our economy have displayed remarkable resilience."

The Maypole brand has been around since 1900 and has grown from a humble bakery in Pieta to one of Malta's leading names in bread, fresh food, and traditional cuisine. With nine retail outlets around Malta, the Maypole brand has become synonymous with convenience, quality and value.