Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, Farsons Group’s holding company, was declared Company of the Year at the Malta Stock Exchange’s (MSE) annual awards ceremony held last week.

MSE Executive Chairman Joseph Portelli congratulated Farsons Group, highlighting its financial performance over 2023, before presenting the award to Farsons Group CEO Norman Aquilina.

Established in 1928, Farsons Group is engaged in the brewing, production, sale and distribution of branded beers and beverages, the importation, wholesale and retail of food and beverages, the operation of franchised food retailing establishments, as well as property development.

During the six months ended 31st July 2023, the brewing and manufacturing company recorded €8.1 million in pre-tax profit, an increase of 3.8 per cent from the corresponding period in 2022. Turnover amounted to €65.2 million, 13.8 per cent more than in the same reporting period last year.

In his speech upon receiving the award, Mr Aquilina thanked the MSE for the recognition, and also expressed gratitude to Farsons Group’s management team for being vital in the attainment of the results.

“Having our results acknowledged makes us proud of our achievements in this highly challenging year,” he remarked.

“Our financial results are the reflection of broader considerations which include our quality standards and values we uphold and practice,” Mr Aquilina continued.

He emphasised that despite ongoing market pressures brought about by various macroeconomic challenges, Farsons Group remained “strategically focused on its competitiveness, not only in terms of costs, but also capabilities”.

“We will keep our eyes set on the horizon, making sure we stay ahead of the curve and well placed to continue to move onwards and upwards,” Mr Aquilina concluded.

The MSE annual awards bring together the various stakeholders of Malta’s capital market, recognising the people and organisations that merit an award for their achievements.

Simonds Farsons Cisk first listed its shares on the MSE in 1995, becoming the first private sector company outside the banking business to list its equity.