A Maltese company producing aluminium, steel and wooden products, is in the process of negotiating a franchising deal in Dubai.
Mark Vassallo, managing director of Servgroup Ltd, said the company was looking to strengthen its presence in Dubai, although its main overseas market for export was Libya.
Servgroup Ltd comprises Aluserv, a household name in the manufacture of aluminium apertures, Woodserv, specialising in wooden apertures, custom-made furniture and traditional Maltese balconies, and Steelserv, a company producing steel and iron.
From a firm with just two employees 20 years ago, Aluserv branched out into three separate companies which are now being re-branded under one group which employs nearly 80 people. It invests about €100,000 a year on modern, state-of-the-art machinery enabling it to take on large projects.
The most recent was that of furnishing the first block of SmartCity Malta inaugurated earlier this month. The contract, worth some €2 million, involved the installation of 4,000 square metres of glass, 2,500 square metres of wall cladding and 500 metres of railing.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid a visit to the company last week on the opening of its new showroom in Mrieħel, where it showcases some of its products.
Dr Gonzi described the group as a success story, saying it showed the abiding strength of the manufacturing sector which could thrive when it established new export markets.
He noted how the group had managed to tap into EU funds to improve its products and presence both in Malta and abroad. It was also interesting, he said, how some of its workers were former shipyard employees who were now putting their skills to good use.
The group will have an open day at their new showroom in Mrieħel between today and Sunday.