Progress Press’s €30 million state-of-the-art printing facility in Mrieħel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on Friday night.

Hosting cutting-edge printing technology and spread over 10,000 square metres, the printer of The Times and The Sunday Times made its move from its historic seat in Valletta where it had operated since 1922.

Dr Gonzi was welcomed to the new building by Progress Press managing director Adrian Hillman, Allied Newspapers Ltd managing director Vince Buhagiar and director Austin Bencini. Mr Hillman said Allied Group, which incorporates the press, Malta’s top selling newspapers, and timesofmalta.com, was now also the largest publisher of magazines.

He said the building’s environmental credentials boasts environmentally friendly lighting and air-conditioning systems, along with a water recycling system that reuses run-off water.

Mr Buhagiar said neither the war, nor political adversity of the worst kind had stopped the publishing of the group’s newspapers.

Also present to witness the growth of the organisation were Archbishop Paul Cremona, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, former Progress Press managing director Wilfred Asciak and former Allied Newspapers managing director Ronald Agius.

Clients and staff were then treated to a reception on the premises.