Gutenberg Press, a major printing and folding-carton manufacturer, is consolidating its entire operation under one facility at an alternative site.

Recent news of a Planning Authority (PA) application, filed by the company’s Founder and Managing Director Frank Spiteri, for the company’s Tarxien 6,000 square metre manufacturing facility to be redeveloped into a major retail facility across three levels, including a supermarket, food outlet, shops and offices, was interpreted by many that the manufacturer would be closing its doors on the island.

Malta’s largest book printer, Frank founded the company in 1982 with a humble investment of 180 Maltese pounds (€420). The company started by printing small jobs in a garage in Zabbar and has since become a mainstay in the local printing and manufacturing scene.

In 1994 it purchased land in Tarxien, which became the site of its head office and its main production plant.

14 years later, in 2008, it acquired a production plant in Bulebel Industrial Estate, to expand its production capacity. To meet the market and operational demands today, the company is consolidating all operations under one roof which is being expanded at a cost of €10 million, according to Head of Business Development Franco Portelli.

As for business continuity, the expansion is being carried out in two phases, thereby minimising downtime. The first phase will see the construction of half the factory, while the second phase will see machinery and equipment being brought in.

Speaking to WhosWho.mt, Head of Business Development Franco Portelli shared that the motivation behind consolidating the company’s printing business and folding-carton business, essentially the manufacturing of a specific type of packaging, is to modernise the company and “keep up with the realities of today”.

“We felt the need to have a state-of-the-art production facility to enable us to compete with the international market,” he shared. Indeed, 70 per cent of Gutenberg’s business is for the export market, while the remaining serves the local market.

He is keen to share that the company is not ceasing any operations on the island, and, in contrast, is actually expanding its operations. He shared that the company’s recent entry into the folding-carton business, bespoke branded packaging boxes, is bearing fruit and will continue to see investment by the company.