From a single spark of entrepreneurial ambition to designing the future of a nation’s energy, Andrei Grech’s vision for AG Group is as clear as it is powerful. Apart from engineering excellence, it is a vision built on a foundation of passion, agility, and the unwavering belief that to succeed, you have to be fast, sharp, and always ready for the next challenge.

Reflecting on the exciting journey which has seen him build AG Group into the diversified engineering powerhouse it is today, Andrei’s story reads like a masterclass in ambition, strategy, and relentless forward momentum. 

Established in 2005 as a small electrical installations firm, AG Group has undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the leadership of CEO and founder Andrei, the company has evolved from a traditional MEP contractor into an integrated engineering group with eight distinct business units, a hundred-strong workforce, and its own fleet of vehicles operating from its Qormi headquarters. Today, it enjoys pride of place at the forefront of Malta’s infrastructure development, shaping the very grid that powers the nation. 

This expansion, the CEO reveals, wasn’t born from a rigid, long-term blueprint, but from an agile and opportunistic vision. “Honestly, nothing was planned before,” Andrei admits, with a candidness that defines his leadership style. “Business is about being in an ongoing survival mode, especially when you start from zero, as I did 21 years ago. You find solutions, you see where the opportunities are, and you go for them. It gets boring doing the same thing.”

This drive to conquer new challenges has seen the company naturally progress from electrical work to complex engineering, turnkey solutions, and specialised high-voltage projects. “It was a natural evolution,” he explains. “I started as an electrician. From there, I went into engineering, then turnkey projects. Then, with that expertise, we saw the need for medium and high voltage capabilities. Now, we are one of the few local companies with in-house knowledge and certification in medium voltage systems.”

This expertise has placed AG Group at the heart of some of Malta's most significant infrastructure projects. The company’s High Voltage Systems division is currently handling the critical equipment in Sicily for Malta’s second subsea electricity interconnector. “We designed it, and we’re installing it. It's the most critical part of a €20 million project on its own,” Andrei notes, the pride in his team evident. 

The Group is also delivering two of Enemalta’s largest new distribution centres and is deeply involved in Project Green, developing a 49,000-square-metre garden in Fgura. The scale of the latter project brings a smile to his face. “I went on site last week and told them we need to buy two buggies just to get around. The site is huge!” 

This ability to manage diverse, large-scale projects stems from a unique, integrated model that Grech believes sets AG Group apart. When asked about competitors, his response is bold. “We don’t really have competitors here,” he states. “Perhaps in individual departments, but not as a whole. We have in-house turnkey, in-house design, in-house energy solutions. We can manage a project from start to finish, all under one roof. We cater a different model from all other local ones.”

Delving into his philosophy, Andrei explains that delivering excellence across such a varied portfolio requires a specific methodology, one that his team has honed over two decades. He summarises it with a powerful mantra: “Fast and sharp.” 

This philosophy is embedded in the company’s culture, he reveals, and filters down to its approach to project management. The CEO compares the high-stakes environment to the pinnacle of sport. “I tell my team, ‘You're in the Champions League.’ You can't have a one-man show; you need a full squad. But you also have to be fast and deliver with detail. If you take it slow, you concede a goal. It's the same in this market.”

This disciplined approach is supported by robust, proprietary systems for project management and a meticulous personal schedule, he continues. “You have to be on the ball. I’m constantly updating my time management schedule, planning how to monitor projects, who I need to meet, and where I need to go. It’s about being adaptable and strategic,” Andrei states.

This strategy extends to human dynamics, which he sees as integral to technical success. “A problem isn't always technical; it can be human,” he reflects. “You have to understand your people, your clients, and the relationships. When you love the client, you love the project. That’s when you truly deliver.”

Looking ahead, as Malta continues its green energy transition, Andrei sees innovation as the primary driver of growth for AG Group. “We like new things, we like to innovate. We are the local company that is taking on challenges that others haven’t before. It’s not easy, it takes a lot of hard work and studying, but we’re doing it.”

And while the company now has the luxury of being more selective with its projects – “we’re getting more picky for the quality of work,” he admits – Andrei’s ambition remains boundless. His ultimate dream project? “To build a full power station, from start to finish,” he says without hesitation. “But an innovative one. I dream of creating a true hybrid power station.”