[attach id=269554 size="medium"]James Falzon[/attach]
Falcotrans has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary – how has the transportation business developed in the past three decades?
The 1980s and 1990s were phenomenally good years thanks to the boom of the local manufacturing industry and an open market for importation. This gave rise to a number of service providers in the local transportation sector.
Back in those days it was relatively easier to establish yourself – it was a matter of simply purchasing a large truck and recruiting a strong workforce.
How has Falcotrans changed in the past 30 years?
Falcotrans has invested significantly in its workforce, machinery and infrastructure to comply with the growing demands of the transportation industry – traditional methods are no longer acceptable and regulatory compliance is the way forward. The fourth generation is gradually taking the helm of the company and is committed to continue developing the family legacy and reputation handed down by our fathers by exploiting new opportunities and rising to the challenges of a globalised world.
What advantages does Malta have over other countries in the transportation sector?
Given that geographically, Malta is positioned between Europe and North Africa, we have a good understanding of the cultures and languages that form the Mediterranean basin. This unique location is also at the crossroads of the main shipping routes that cross the Mediterranean particularly between the Balkans, Middle East and Arabian Gulf states via the Suez Canal and the western Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. This presents tremendous business opportunities for the future.
On the other hand, north-south traffic to and from North Africa is still waiting to flourish again when the situation settles down – there is huge potential there too.
What role does technology play in the industry?
Technology has become an integral part of our day-to-day operations. All our fleet is monitored on a real time basis for GSM positioning and transit temperature. Falcotrans has expanded its fleet of refrigerated trailers or reefers equipped with reliable temperature control systems – we are also constantly renewing our fleet of vehicles both locally and long distance across the continent.
Is regulation strong enough in the transportation sector?
Specialised fields such as the pharmaceutical industry are governed by legislation which extends to the service providers. Our operations are subject to periodical client audits. Falcotrans is already an approved service provider for leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, for the transportation of pharmaceutical products in temperature-controlled vehicles, in line with EU good manufacturing practices. In addition, Falcotrans is an approved service provider for a world leading non-vessel operating common carrier, issuing its own bills of lading or air waybills and assuming responsibility for shipments to pan-European destinations.
It’s all down to hard work, commitment and dedication
One of your primary advantages as a company is that you offer specialised temperature-controlled logistics – what added value does this give to your service offerings?
Falcotrans has been handling temperature-controlled cargo for half a century. Obviously, we have had to adapt according to industry demands and regulatory compliance. This applies mainly to the food, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The carriage of sensitive goods requires careful and attentive handling at all times on a 24/7 basis, and our routing and logistics systems ensure that transit times are reduced to a minimum. A key factor in the efficient dispatch and delivery of these goods is our depot in North-West Italy which serves as a hub for all our operations.
You are the fourth generation of a 100-year-old family business. To what do you owe your successful succession planning?
There is no secret formula – it’s all down to hard work, commitment and dedication. All the members of our family play an important hands-on role in one department or another, and we all work closely with our staff, leading by example. I suppose the biggest advantage is that we are a close-knit family and we all focus on getting the job done professionally. Our employees all share the same loyalty and commitment on a day-to-day basis.
We are also encouraged by the fact that government is looking at introducing legislation on the succession of family businesses. We believe this will be instrumental in safeguarding the future of the vast majority of Maltese businesses.
From which countries do you operate and do you plan to add further countries to your network?
We import from continental Europe, from north to south, east to west to Malta and vice versa for exports. In addition, we have a modern dedicated fleet of trucks on continental Europe to service European destinations. We are constantly seeking to reach new destinations and markets. There are a number of opportunities that we are actively pursuing which will gradually expand our current routes and possibly link with other networks beyond Europe. Falcotrans has a network of international trading partners who are essential to the company’s operation, growth and success.
What added services will you be offering in the near future?
We are currently undergoing due diligence to establish ground operations including setting up of warehousing on continental Europe. This will be a base for future operations on continental Europe as part of our proposed expansion. In our case warehousing means cold storage facilities compatible with industry standards and the technical criteria we already apply at every stage of our operation.
We have recently consolidated all our local operations in a newly inaugurated building in Flagstone Wharf, Marsa. This substantial investment has created the necessary infrastructure and physical space for development and further growth. The implementation of a holistic quality system that regulates the company’s day-to-day performance is also a huge step forward.
These achievements are part of a strategic three-year business plan aimed at positioning Falcotrans as the market leader in the storage and distribution sectors.