Family run enterprises are the backbone of the Maltese economy. With three fourths of local business in Malta being family run, precious knowledge of the tough market is inherited from one generation to the next, infused with the fresh energy to improve service and offerings.
Being family run does not mean that a company cannot be innovative. Rather, a new generation combines enthusiasm for new business with traditional values and ethics.
One such example is Triple A, a new outlet in St Thomas Street, Luqa, run by Kurt Micallef, grandson of company founder Raphael Micallef.
“My grandfather started the company from practically nothing,” Kurt says. “After working as a television technician with a local company, he set up his own company, ETV Limited, retailing and repairing televisions in a small shop in Valletta.
He expanded his line with the inclusion of domestic appliances, and in 1993, ETV Ltd was officially appointed sole agent for the Balay brand, part of the BSH Group.
“In 1995, ETV Ltd was appointed as the only official local distributor of the Beko brand, which is a leading worldwide brand sold in more than 100 countries. That year, ETV further expanded its operations and opened a new showroom under HomeLine Limited in Notabile Road, Mrieħel.”
Kurt joined the family business in 2007 and started learning the ropes. Earlier this year, he started managing operations at Triple A in Luqa, the first of the two new showrooms ETV Limited will be opening this year.
“Our priorities are customer care and we specialise in the latest most energy-efficient domestic appliances on the market,” says Kurt.
Later this month, ETV Ltd will be opening its third new showroom named Centre. For the convenience of customers, this will be located in Buġibba.
Appliance of the month
The Beko GNE11460 French door fridge freezer
Smart Beko refrigerators keep your food fresh for longer. Beko refrigerators have a fresh freeze compartment where foods are frozen rapidly without any deterioration in their cell structures, nutritional values and flavours. This is ideal for fresh fish and meat, which lose their nutritional value if they are not frozen quickly.
Fresh fruit and vegetables maintain their vitality for a while after harvesting. Thanks to Beko active, fresh, blue light technology, the process of photosynthesis continues in the fridge, providing prolonged storage life of fresh fruit and vegetables while maintaining their natural flavours.
When the doors are not opened for six consecutive hours and the settings are not changed, Eco-Fuzzy Function puts the refrigerator in energy-saving mode, decreasing electricity consumption. Moreover, thanks to Beko’s active, dual, cooling technology, fridge and freezer compartments have independent cooling systems to provide optimum level of humidity for a prolonged storage life. In this way, air circulating in the fridge remains at an optimum level.