Universal, a solutions provider for a broad set of industrial sectors, has been in operation for over fifty years, bringing invaluable experience to the table. The company specialises in turnkey services for manufacturers, aimed at streamlining and maximising efficiency and cost, in offering a blend of expertise, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and tangible results.

The company's specialisation spans a multitude of industries, including plastics, electronics, food and beverage, banking, scientific and medical, pharmaceutical, construction, aluminium, metal, supermarkets, and retailers. This diverse portfolio caters to businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to multinational corporations.

Starting from design and R&D, moving on to factory floor implementation and then to supplying consumables, its team is trained to assist from a technical aspect during any stage of the industrial process.

Universal CEO Alistair Buttigieg Vella, speaking WhosWho.mt, highlights three primary areas of focus that define Universal's identity and approach.

The first facet of Universal's expertise revolves around packaging and labelling. It is here that the company adds an aesthetic touch to products, ensuring that aesthetics meet functionality. In the realm of science, Universal's expertise is centred around filtration, industrial chemicals and the supply of essential personal protective equipment (PPE). With chemists and engineers on their team, they have the knowledge to support these intricate processes. The third area focuses on technical prowess, with the department manned by engineers, specialising in providing various machinery types, including powder coating applications and packaging lines. Universal also supplies the necessary consumables, ensuring that clients have a one-stop solution for their technical needs.

Pushing boundaries while providing peace of mind  

Universal's core focus transcends consumables, with a clear mission to assist clients in pushing their product boundaries, both technically and by providing peace of mind. This integrated approach encompasses planning, import-export, and heritage-based solutions developed over decades of experience. Universal's long-term strategy is clear: to continually expand their niche areas and projects. While they still offer commodity products, the company is actively investing in training staff and striving to add even more value to their clients.  

Creating an agile environment

Alistair’s leadership style is characterised by his commitment to creating an agile environment with a strong tech bias. This approach aligns Universal Group with the ever-changing market dynamics, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation and adaptation. His influence permeates the company's culture, fostering a spirit of continuous improvement and client-centricity. He also emphasises the importance of in-house technical expertise, an approach which enables the team to provide prompt and tailored solutions, essential in a fast-paced world where timely responses are paramount. Here, he comments that “this is a journey of evolution and adaptability, driven by a passion for excellence and a dedication to providing unmatched solutions to our clients.”

Innovative tech

To maintain a competitive edge, Universal invests heavily in innovation and technology. Here, Alistair underscores the importance of solutions as integral to adding value to their clients', referencing Jetho, a sister company at the forefront of innovation in organic waste handling, which has investigated gaps in the domestic waste handling cycle to provide domestic users a more convenient way of collecting their organic waste. Jetho has taken a different perspective on current technologies and re-designed it to create an innovative solution to make the process of domestic organic waste separation more efficient.

This foray into waste management, as exemplified by Jetho's pioneering work, underscores the company's determination to cater to diverse client needs, while recognizing that clients often require comprehensive services that extend beyond their core operations. It also aligns with Universal’s overarching mission to add value and deliver excellence in various sectors, while catering to diverse client needs.

Here to stay 

In the next five to 10 years, Alistair envisions continued growth and expansion and is unequivocal that Universal is here to stay and to grow consistently and effectively within an ever-changing market, while shaping the future with a tech-savvy and agile approach.