Gonzi lauds €40 million investment by Farsons Group

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech visited the new Farsons €12.5 million Brew House in Mriehel on Tuesday morning.

Gonzi lauded the €40 million investment by Simonds Farsons Cisk in a new Brew House and the Packaging and Logistics centres which in total cost the company €40 million.

Farsons chairman Louis Farrugia said: "The €40 million investment programme launched in 2005 has, over the last five years, contributed to a reduction of over 30% of energy consumed per litre produced.”

He also announced that within the next year the company will invest an additional €3 million in photovoltaic panels, a new refrigeration system and water treatment plant.

Farrugia noted that Farsons had to adapt itself to the liberalisation of the beverages market and added that not only has the company kept most of its share in the local market, but is also increasing its exports to Italy, Libya and other foreign markets.

Lawrence Gonzi described the investment as a new benchmark in the local industry, lauding the new job opportunities created by Farsons and the company's ability in maintaining its competitive edge by investing money.

"Farsons also had the courage to look beyond the local market and put money where its mouth is," the Prime Minister said.

He also hailed the company's intent to invest more money to bolster its efforts to reduce its energy consumption even further. 

"The government does not subsidise industrial inefficiencies but is committed to support companies to invest in energy efficient machinery and renewable energy," Gonzi said.

Gonzi added that in the last four years Malta Enterprise processed around 160 applications for new ventures or expansions of current investments, which amounted to €350 million.

Stressing the importance of building the economy on a knowledge based society, Gonzi said: "The diversification of our economy has seen sectors such as aviation, i-gaming, IT and financial services grow at a very fast pace but we must also keep in mind that the manufacturing industry is still central to government's plans."