Economy’s success based on investment in education, says Prime Minister

During a visit to the Trelleborg factory in Marsa, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the company should be a model for the manufacturing sector in Malta.

"Trelleborg has a vision for the future. It looks ahead and makes use of its personnel to project where the market is heading to," Gonzi said.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Malta, or Malta Rubber as it was first known, set up manufacturing in 1961. It operates from both Marsa and Hal Far for a global customer base, including leading car manufacturers such as Volkswagen.

The Research and Development and production facility in Marsa combines together raw materials. The raw materials are then transferred to another company-owned factory in Half Far that produces seals. The raw material is also exported worldwide.

Also present for the press conference were Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, Malta Enterprise executive chariman Alan Camilleri and Trelleborg managing director Martin Hignett and technical director Gordon Micallef.

"As government we promise to continue working with Trelleborg and other companies to help them grow," Gonzi said. "The manufacturing sector has moved from cheap labour to well-paid jobs which create quality products."

The Prime Minister said success in employment was the fruition of government's investment in education.

"We invested in our students and we provided scholarships and schemes for our students to further their studies. The success of these companies depends on what we as government invest in education. Employers invest in our investment."

Gonzi said that Trelleborg invested €10 million over the past four years in its factories in Malta.  Trelleborg currently employs over 660 workers - 27 at the mixing facility in Marsa and some 650 at Hal Far.  

Micallef said that the raw material produces in Marsa determines the quality of the final product. He said that the improvement carried out by their R&D has helped Trelleborg to secure a top position in the automobile and oil and gas sector.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Malta also provides products to car manufacturer Volkswagen and is working on sealing solutions for wind turbines and electronic cars. It also carries out research for its sister companies.