Loqus Fleet and Datalogic have forced a sales partnership aimed at increasing market penetration in EMEA.
“I’m excited about our partnership. Partnering with Datalogic will help us to extend our reach to new customers globally while also providing the required environment for further research and development in the logistics and mobility arena,” said Roland Scerri, deputy CEO Loqus Group.
Datalogic Group is a global producer of bar code readers, mobile computers, sensors for detection, measurement and safety, vision systems and laser marking systems. It is headquartered in Bologna and employs about 2,400 members of staff in 30 countries, with revenue of €470 million in 2014.
Malta-based Loqus Fleet specialises in the provision of cross-industry transport and mobility solutions aimed at helping customers control their work-schedule.
Mediterrania Capital Partners exits Cepro
Private equity firm Mediterrania Capital Partners has sold its interest in an Algerian company after seeing it increase annual revenue almost sixfold.
In early 2009, Mediterrania Capital Partners acquired a significant minority stake in Cepro, a manufacturer and distributor of baby diapers and feminine sanitary pads, through its first fund for North Africa.
Since then, Cepro grew its annual revenue by 580 per cent to €58 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) had a compound annual growth rate of over 50 per cent between 2009 and 2015. Additionally, during the period, Cepro tripled its factory size and it has plans to expand even further in the near future.
“We are extremely pleased with the evolution of the company during the time of our partnership,” said Albert Alsina, CEO and managing partner of Mediterrania Capital Partners.
“The sale of our stake to The Abraaj Group supports Cepro’s future strategy in terms of product development and geographic expansion”.
Magro celebrating centenary
[attach id=483161 size="medium"](From left) Michael, John, Christian and Nicholas Magro[/attach]
This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of Gozo’s iconic companies – Magro Brothers – which is now being run by the fourth generation of the family.
The firm’s roots date back to 1916, when Ġanni Magro of Xewkija, an established general provision merchant, decided to establish Magro Brothers with his three sons as shareholders.
For the past 40 years, the company was run by the next generation, brothers John and Michael Magro, and it is now in the hands of the former’s children: Christian, Nicholas and Joanna.
The original firm was a general merchants and cattle breeder, but it soon branched out into imports and exports.
By the 1970s, the company focused on canning and the Three Hills brand was launched.
In 2005, luxury brand Savina was introduced and in 2010, Farm Fresh was formed to process fresh dairy products and other farm products.
In 2012, another brainchild of Magro Brothers came to fruition. The Magro Food Village was created on the grounds of their Xewkija plant, offering guided tours.