The Express Link - Issue 4 by The Dispatch Media

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Issue No 4 | April 2022

Reading time: 24 minutes

EXPRESS LINK IN THIS EDITION

MEET THE NEW CHAIRMAN EDMOND BRINCAT In 2021, Express Group appointed Edmond Brincat as its new Chairman. An accountant by profession Mr Brincat comes from a long career at GO plc where initially he was part of the team entrusted to set up and launch Go Mobile, and later as Group CFO, where he was heavily involved in the restructuring and expansion of the group. At GO Mr. Brincat was also the lead behind the creation and eventual spin off and listing of Malta Properties Company plc. He is currently the CEO of SmartCity and also serves on the Board of a number of companies, including FIMBank plc.

EXPRESS TRAILERS PLANTS 270 TREES, A TREE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE

#WHATWESTANDFOR THE EXPRESS TRAILERS 2022 CALENDAR

OUR MAIN CONCERN HAS NOW BECOME EVERYONE’S GENERAL WELLBEING

Express Trailers has planted 270 saplings in Burmarrad’s Santa Katarina Valley, an initiative made possible following an agreement with Parks Malta who supplied the 270 saplings – representing the 270 employees at Express Trailers.

It is an accepted fact that at Express Trailers, our company diaries are no longer just office stationery, but we started using these as an important tool to remind all our stakeholders of our company’s most treasured values.

The local business sector has long been complaining about the problems that many companies are encountering when in need to recruit new people. “Express Trailers is no exception and we have been experiencing these same problems when we happen to be seeking both blue collar and white-collar roles,” says NICOLE VELLA, Human Resources Manager.

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CEO’S MESSAGE Reading time: 3 minutes

As is typical for me to write any prose on a Saturday afternoon in the quiet of the office, here I am dropping these few lines to introduce this issue 4 of the Express Link. In issue 3, I spoke about the importance I give to the currency of the much-discussed ESG (business focus on the environment, on society and on governance).

I have been an avid student, follower, and practitioner of what I used to call the 3P’s, standing for ‘sustainable Profit while respecting People and protecting the Planet’. Intrinsically it is capturing the same objectives as ESG, lest I must admit, my acronym and what it stands for strikes a better pitch in my view. Well, with that twist of the tongue put, I have some updates to share with you in this issue which articulate further our strategic initiatives addressing ESG, which I hope you will find interesting. The last quarter of the year that we went through was, as always, a fast-paced one ending with the business plan cycle which typically follows the annual shareholders’ meeting (AGM). It has been the tradition at these meetings to showcase to the investors the situation and results achieved by management. Today the company has 25 shareholders, all descendants of the late Emanuel Vella, who was the ignition spark 60 years ago of this group we know today. A lot of work is typically put in by management at the AGM presenting the investors with strong visuals that explain the economic, social, and performance dynamics. Then comes the business plan cycle, a fast-paced marathon of a team of 25 managers and Heads, towards the final sprint home of getting board approval. Now we all know how we changed our confidence in our perceived ability in predicting the future in such business plans, especially after the pandemic. It hit us where it hurts and brought us to our senses that forecasting is like playing God or an Oracle in Greek mythology. No guarantees can ever be given. All happening in this quarter we also go through implementing changes in our hierarchy of people and management. After a lot of thought, evaluations and appraising of my team, and after having articulated my reasoning to our RemCom

(remuneration committee which is a board committee), I have pleasure in announcing the promotion and admission of a new member to my Management team and the promotion of another to the C-suite. Jesmond Mifsud has been our senior manager in Sales and has been working with us since 1991 going into his 32nd year. Jesmond is a qualified logistician having read and passed with Distinction the University of Malta three-year Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transportation. He is also a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He also passed his examinations for the IATA diploma. Jesmond has as from 1st January been promoted to Head of Sales and admitted to my ManCom (management committee) which is the group of Heads and top managers driving the business plan corporatewide. The other announcement I wish to share with you is the promotion of David Fleri Soler to Chief Commercial Officer. David has been with the group since 1987, that is 35 years, after having spent another 5 years before joining us with another leading logistics company at the time. David grew in logistics and excelled at leading the group through various milestones in its lifecycle. David is also a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is at present the elected Chairperson of the logistics section of the Chamber of Commerce in Malta. His principal achievement in that position so far was the admission of the sector to be the associate member of FIATA representing Malta. I have worked closely with David as the previous Head of Sales and Business Development, and I look forward to even more strategic planning in his new position in the C-suite. All towards better ESG initiatives… stay tuned.

MEET THE NEW CHAIRMAN EDMOND BRINCAT Reading time: 4 minutes

In 2021, Express Group appointed Edmond Brincat as its new Chairman. An accountant by profession Mr Brincat comes from a long career at GO plc where initially he was part of the team entrusted to set up and launch Go Mobile, and later as Group CFO, where he was heavily involved in the restructuring and expansion of the group. At GO Mr. Brincat was also the lead behind the creation and eventual spin off and listing of Malta Properties Company plc. He is currently the CEO of SmartCity and also serves on the Board of a number of companies, including FIMBank plc.

What was your impression of Express Group before being appointed Chairman? The first time I walked into Express Group’s offices was some twenty-five years ago. At the time I worked as an auditor and my job took me to many clients. I could see the differences from one company to another and every time I visited the group’s offices, I was always struck by the place, the environment and work ethics. I continued to visit occasionally and over the years I only reinforced my original assessment of the group as a professionally managed

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organisation. It is no coincidence that today Express Group is Malta’s leading logistics company - the result of consistent hard work and commitment by a great team of workers. When involved with a business that is still intrinsically a family business, do you feel one needs to adopt a particular approach? Every business has its particular circumstances, be it a family business, a publicly listed organisation, a government owned entity or a subsidiary of an international group. Beyond the ownership structure, any company depends on aspects such as the market conditions, the legislative framework that governs the business and the maturity of its product/ services portfolio. Shareholders establish the objectives for their company and the company’s board, management and employees have to work towards those objectives. Being family-owned is just one aspect but the fact that the family is united in supporting the business to continue to grow and move forward, is a significant consideration. What are your preferred leadership styles? As chairman of the board of directors, my role is to lead the board to work with management for the benefit of the group. I consider it to be important that all board members participate in debating performance, discuss options and to challenge views. Only with everyone’s input we can ensure that the company remains strong and an employer of choice for everyone. Success is dependent on management providing unwavering support to the board of directors and for the latter to allow management the space and flexibility it requires to manage the business. It is my duty to ensure that this balance is achieved.

It is important for the company to evolve its vision and strategy, ensuring it remains relevant as circumstances change. I am mindful of the fact that the group is a family-owned business whose leadership is transitioning from the second generation to the third.

What is the strategy and direction you are seeing for Express Trailers for the next years? The group is a success story. It wouldn’t be in the leading position it is today if it did not have in place a strategy to achieve that vision and a programme to implement and monitor that strategy. It is important for the company to evolve its vision and strategy, ensuring it remains relevant as circumstances change. I am mindful of the fact that the group is a family-owned business whose leadership is transitioning from the second generation to the third. My priority will be to ensure that all shareholders remain united and committed towards the group’s vision and strategy. The group needs to continue to grow, both locally and abroad. The group can grow from its investment in Italy but I also believe that there are opportunities for growth in the local market. We need to challenge the way we do business, consolidate what is good but also be prepared to modify what can be done better. Growth will open new opportunities, especially for the group’s dedicated team, ensuring financial stability and attractive work conditions for all. What are your interests outside your professional domain? I enjoy gardening but I also wish I had more time to read and to be active in voluntary work. Any particular book you are reading? I enjoy reading all sorts of things. Currently, I am reading one of the volumes of Histories of Malta by Giovanni Bonello. I like his style, his depth and insight of the topics covered as well as his sense of humour. What is your favourite music? Depends on the mood. I mostly listen to the latest popular songs but there are moments I enjoy listening to pop/rock classics as well as classical music. Your personal wishes for 2022? More time with family and hopefully back to travelling.

ĠORĠ VELLA EARLY DELIVERIES WITH BARE HANDS Reading time: 5 minutes

The third from eight brothers, Ġorġ joined his family business when he was only 16 years old but although he could not as yet drive, he soon found his role within the company’s delivery operations.

“I finished my secondary school and my father immediately roped me into the company. He used to take me to what we called the depost, down at the port, in Marsa, more precisely at what was known as the Mifsud Veranda. Part of this building still exists in fact.” “Of course, I could not drive because I was still young so I used to wait for our customers to arrive, so that I could pass on their paperwork enabling their cargo to be released. From then, I would help have their newly arrived cargo unloaded, loaded on our trucks and delivered.” Ġorġ remembers fondly how as soon as he turned eighteen, eager to give a more tangible contribution to the company, he got his license and with it, his first truck. “Equipment was extremely basic, everything had to be done by hand. We

loaded all sorts of cargo by hand from one truck to another. Be it steel rods, wood, glass, or aluminium, we had to use our bare hands. We risked a lot but those where other days when work had to be done without any if’s and but’s.” “I remember when the company Dowty used to import rubber coal sacks, we used to be three of us loading one sack on top of the other. It used to take its toll on us and by the end of the day, our faces used to be smudged with coal. We eventually organised a room with a shower so that we could at least get ourselves changed clean after a day’s work.” By time, Ġorġ started administering and managing all the company’s delivery operations and understood how all the brothers had their natural position in the company.

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“There was a lot of coordination involved because our means were limited, and work was picking up. My brother Bastjan used to help too with the paperwork and deliveries whereas our other brothers Żaren and Pawlu used to step in to help whenever there were special consignments such as industrial equipment and machinery.”

”Salvu was responsible for everything relating to Customs, Bastjan was the company’s mechanic, Żaren and Pawlu coordinated and oversaw all the special deliveries, Fredu was responsible for all trailer operations at our Bonds in Ħal Far, Ġużi was in charge of the fleet and Frans was always at the office handling all the paperwork. “There was a lot of coordination involved because our means were limited, and work was picking up. My brother Bastjan used to help too with the paperwork and deliveries whereas our other brothers Żaren and Pawlu used to step in to help whenever there were special consignments such as industrial equipment and machinery.” We asked Ġorġ whether he used to get himself involved with the actual growth of Express Trailers’ fleet of trucks. “Of course, I enjoyed being involved because my role was administering all the delivery operations and that depends wholly on a reliable fleet. Back then, buying equipment was complicated. Once we went up to buy a mechanical horse truck from Holland, only to arrive there and finding it all rusty. It was a failed trip, we got train tickets and came back to Malta on Sunday night, just in time to start our Monday routine deliveries!” “The logistics of buying equipment was also difficult back in the day when means of transport were limited. As when we had decided to acquire a crane from Gozo for our port activities. It took us a whole three days because the crane belonged to a stonemason in Victoria so first, the crane

needed to be loaded and transported down to the port of Mġarr where it got loaded on the MV Eagle and made its way to Marfa. When we came to unload it on Malta, some loading equipment gave way and we almost ended up at sea! But luckily, we managed it.” In the 1970’s Express Trailers started venturing overseas and eager to start tapping into the import/export market, the company started upgrading its fleet to be able to handle this business. “The prospect of international deliveries was extremely exciting, and I remember the first time I travelled for the first time to Sicily with my truck to bring an aluminium consignment from Palermo. The client had travelled with me in the truck, and we managed to load 12 tons of aluminium on a 10-ton truck for his new aluminium factory in Malta. On our way back my poor tired truck developed a water leakage, but we pressed on, and we managed to make it anyway.” “That was 46 years ago. I remember the exact year because my wife was pregnant with my eldest son and was about to pop!” quips Ġorġ. Ġorġ remembers fondly one of the most important jobs he ever coordinated – the transportation of the Euro coins and bank notes fifteen years ago. “We had won a tender issued by the Central Bank for the loading, transport and unloading of the first Euro consignment. Itwas a very complicated operation because of all tight security protocols that we had to adhere to but it was a learning experience and an adventure at the same time!” As we speak, Ġorġ plays with his hands which show obvious signs of arduous work. “Everything was by hand. Even in the early days when we still operated with our postwar trucks. These operated with a starting handle, and it was not the first time that the handle backfired. Once I broke my arm, but I couldn’t get to tell my father because I did not want him to worry.” “Another time I broke my two feet. I was organising bundles of steel prior to a delivery, the weight gave in and caught

bought my feet. I refused to have them put into plaster because me and my wife were meant to go abroad on holiday, and I did not want to ruin the trip. Had she seen me in plaster, she would have wanted to stay here! So, the doctor made me wear these tight shoes and my feet recovered slowly in them.” Ġorġ points out how different manual work was back then when compared to today.

and did our job. There was a true love for work and the clients saw it in us. We used to go out of our way and whenever the work became overwhelmingly busy and we were short of equipment or trucks, we used to collaborate with other operators, and we helped each other. I believe this is what gave us our solid reputation, and this is why hardly any clients ever left us. There was more loyalty even as work increased.”

“Back then it was a lot of demanding work, but we were not fussy. Work had to be done, we could not stop, so we got down

Ġorġ kept going physically down to the port every day till his last days at the company.

In the 1970’s Express Trailers started venturing overseas and eager to start tapping into the import/export market, the company started upgrading its fleet to be able to handle this business.

“When in 2015, I turned 68, I had to retire to make way for new, younger blood. Of course, I was sorry that I had to retire, and I would have gladly given a couple more extra years, but it was a company decision that had to be respected,” he says with a nostalgic tone. We asked Ġorġ what the company meant to him. “Like all those who saw the origins of Express Trailers, I have always held our company close to heart because it was our family’s collective project and we all put a lot of sacrifice to see it grow and become the transportation leader it is today.”

#WeAreOrange Follow our story

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LOOK FURTHER, THINK BIGGER Our ORANGE is the blend of long years of acquired EXPERIENCE, obsessive EXCELLENCE, and proven EXPERTISE in delivering your cargo, whatever it is, from wherever, to anywhere and however. ROAD | RAIL | OCEAN | AIR

EXPRESS TRAILERS PLANTS 270 TREES, A TREE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE Reading time: 3 minutes

According to Express Trailers, the planting of the equates to a reduction of carbon emissions of around 48,000 kms per year by its fleet. To get to Zero-emission target, we need 31,000 trees for annual neutrality in our carbon footprint. “As Malta’s leading transport and logistics company, Express Trailers always acknowledged the fact that its strong presence on Maltese roads also has a social and environmental impact. We wanted to redress a small fraction of this impact and as the world continues to join in a collective effort to combat the challenges of climate change, we wanted to do our small part as well,” explains Franco Azzopardi, CEO of Express Trailers.

“As a family business that started 60 years ago and that owes its success to the sustainable way it grew, Express Trailers has always harboured great respect towards the notion of sustainability. Over the years, the company always sought to embark on initiatives that help it reduce its carbon footprint such as the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of its head office and the majority of its buildings, as well as investment in electric vans and forklifts into its fleet,” he added. Express Trailers’ PV system reduces 672,512 kms in emissions every year.

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Since 2011, Express Trailers’ PV system has led to a total reduction of an equivalent 7,397,636 kms in CO2 emissions. Welcoming the initiative undertaken by Express Trailers, Minister for Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli said: “As Minister responsible for sustainable development, investing in open spaces has been a priority and through Parks Malta we are investing in parks, valleys and gardens within our localities. At the same time, we encourage the private sector to give society something back. This is the second partnership we have embarked on which will see the planting of more trees.” Philip Aquilina from Parks Malta explained the benefits of planting young saplings compared to older and larger trees because “the survival rate of younger trees is much higher given that they tend to find it easier to adapt to their new environmental conditions when compared to older trees which would have already gotten accustomed to certain environments.” Eleven species of trees have been planted by Express Trailers which include Prunus Dulcis (Lewż), Celtis Australis (Bagullar), Vitex Agnus-Castus (Virgi), Fraxinus Angustifolia (Fraxxnu), Salix Alba (żafżaf kbir), Salix Pedicellata (Żafżaf żgħir), Tamarisk Africana (Bruka), Morus Alba (Ċawsli), Laurus Nobilis (Rand) Tetraclinis Articulata (Għargħar) and Ulmus Canescens (Ulmu).

As a family business that started 60 years ago and that owes its success to the sustainable way it grew, Express Trailers has always harboured great respect towards the notion of sustainability.

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#WhatWeStandFor THE EXPRESS TRAILERS 2022 CALENDAR Reading time: 1 minute

It is an accepted fact that at Express Trailers, our company calendars are no longer just office stationery, but we started using these as an important tool to remind all our stakeholders of our company’s most treasured values.

By now, in fact, you must all have started using our company’s 2022 desk calendar and certainly, you must have also noticed how each month features a different value.

ecosystem of the true spirit of Express Trailers, a company that values its employees, its acquired experience and its defining role in society.

Especially this year, with what we all have been going through, we felt it imperative to remind everyone of how important it is to uphold the values that best define us. So we gathered all these values and principles under #WhatWeStandFor and for each month we chose a photo that best represents the value chosen for that month.

#WhatWeStandFor reflects our company’s place in society not only as an important economic player that enables thousands of businesses through our sound logistics service but also as an employer and an organisation that through a sustainable approach, continues to leave a lasting positive impact on all its stakeholders.

The twelve chosen values are People, Excellence, Sustainability, Environment, Governance, Road Safety, Community, Talent, Fleet, WeAreOrange, Growth, Inclusion and Employee Wellbeing.

Most importantly, this calendar is a showcase of this company’s achievements. So consider this as a celebration of our successful collective work.

We therefore believe that we have managed to turn this important tool into a daily reminder for our people and all those who somehow form part our company’s

We therefore hope this calendar will not only be a source of pride but will accompany you throughout another successful and rewarding year.

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EXPRESS TRAILERS TRANSPORTS 250KG SCULPTURE OF SWIMMER BY ARTIST AUSTIN CAMILLERI Reading time: 1 minute

Express Trailers is proud to have supported artist Austin Camilleri’s ongoing successful solo exhibition currently on at James Cavalier by having transported the 270cm-high statue in un-patinated bronze of local sensation swimmer Neil Agius. The bronze work, produced in Pietrasanta close to Lucca and weighing over 250kg was transported by Express Trailers in time for the artist’s exhibition LE . IVA ǀ ANGER IS A LAZY FORM OF GRIEF which remains open for public viewing until the 10th of April.

Work on this statue entitled ‘LEAP’ started last summer in Malta with an initial 3D body scanning which the artist reworked digitally first and then enlarged manually in wax, started at the end of October. “Supporting art is always an honourable thing to do. Especially when we get to support it in the best way we can, by securing its safe handling, transportation and delivery to its final destination. It is what we do every day and what we do best,” said Franco Azzopardi, CEO of Express Trailers upon the arrival of the packed work of art from Italy. “We are proud to have once again had the opportunity to contribute our resources and expertise to what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s artistic calendar of events,” added Mr Azzopardi. Thanking Express Trailers for its support, artist Austin Camilleri reiterated how the setting up of art exhibitions of this nature tend to involve a lot of logistics which turn out to be very complicated. “I am delighted to have found the support of Express Trailers in transporting this sculpture from Italy to Malta. This monumental sculpture of Neil is one of the main works in this exhibition and therefore, its safe transportation was paramount. So I left it up to the professionals.” After an absence of more than 10 years from his last solo show on Maltese soil, Austin Camilleri is presenting a set of new works produced over the past five years that draw mainly on Western art history, popular culture and power image traditions.

MATTHEW VELLA FROM AIR AND OCEAN TO CORPORATE WIDE ORDER AND BOOKINGS Reading time: 3 minutes

MATTHEW VELLA joined Express Trailers in 2004 and today he is responsible for the management of the company’s freightforwarding team. He was recently tasked with the creation of a new Order Department to increase the level of service to external customers & internal departments.

Tell us about yourself at Express Trailers. When did you start and what positions did you serve at ET? After finishing 6th Form at St Edward’s College, I joined Express Trailers in 2004 as a sales clerk selling the group’s multiple products. After several years in this position, a group reorganisation presented me with the opportunity to lead the newly formed Air & Sea Department. I was promoted to this managerial position in 2013. In 2019, I was then tasked with the management and transfer of all sales related data to our state-of-the-art ERP. This role also included the training of the sales team in their day-to-day tasks, implementing the operational system for the Air and Sea team and the review of internal processes to maximise efficiency to finally achieve a paperless system. What is your designation today and what are your responsibilities?

Today I manage the freight forwarding team in the day-to-day operation within Express Group, comprising of our weekly ocean groupage lanes, regular full load containers and airfreight shipments. My aim was to maximise contribution whilst providing the highest possible level of service to our customers. I also continued to cultivate and promote our relations with the agents of all major shipping lines & airlines and our foreign partners. In parallel I also continued to work within the commercial function of the group and as a lead on all sales & freight forwarding matters related to the newly implemented ERP. Tell us about this new Order Department. Why was it created? The need to create an order department came about after implementing our stateof-the-art ERP, when we realised the need to adapt to our new IT system, thereby

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increasing our service level to our external customers & internal departments. This new department brings together tasks that were traditionally in three different departments: new order creation (new bookings), invoicing of these orders and the management of all selling contracts between our company and our customers. Our scope is three-fold; to speak to our customers and obtain all the needed information for a perfect new order to be created with our system, to transmit this information to all internal departments & foreign partners in an accurate and efficient way through the same IT system so that they can plan ahead increasing operational efficiencies and finally, to invoice our customers in a correct way according to our agreement making our transactions as seamless as possible. What were the main stages in setting up this new department? Once we got the go ahead, we started selecting the appropriate team members from different departments within our group and who could bring with them experience from various fields which would contribute to this new department. Once the team members were selected, we

started a rigorous training process with the assistance of the BI Department. The aim was for team members to become experts in the processes of this new department, to know what needs to be done and to enjoy full flexibility to do each other’s jobs. In the meantime, meetings were also held with other departments to understand better how our new department would fit into their processes as efficiently as possible. A new e-mail, phone number & booking confirmation form have been created which will be launched shortly. How many people work in this department? The team consists of 7 members, including myself. All of them already worked at Express Trailers in different departments such as international operations, finance and freight forwarding. We wanted team members who already knew how we operate and who with their input, could contribute their respective experiences of different processes to this new department. Having worked on this project with my colleagues makes me very proud and I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of this project translate into a better service for our customers.

OUR MAIN CONCERN HAS NOW BECOME EVERYONE’S GENERAL WELLBEING Reading time: 3 minutes

The most difficult departments to source candidates for are the finance department and fleet maintenance namely welders, mechanics and VRT testers. “Whereas applicants for positions within our finance department are low in numbers and the salary expectations have increased substantially, the problem with the fleet maintenance is that skilled workers requiring a certain physical aptitude and the necessary certifications are hard to find,” noted Nicole Vella. “It is becoming increasingly apparent that although the vacancies are there, not many seem to be taking up these trade skills when young, and this limited number of applicants available in the local market has signalled a serious shortage which can no longer be ignored,” she added. Whilst acknowledging this problem, Nicole explained how to address this difficulty, different techniques and strategies have had to be adopted. “For difficult roles we are employing foreign applicants who contact us when

they are still abroad. Many of these skilled workers tend to come from outside of the EU and therefore, the work permit process could be a lengthy one to complete. The upside of this situation is that such applicants tend to be not only already experienced but would also hold the necessary certifications.” For finance roles, Ms Vella explained that the company is having to resort to outsource certain work to non-employees to fill in the gaps, until permanent staff have been sourced and employed. “Finding and recruiting truckers, on the other hand, does not present the same difficulty, obviously because trucks are the thing, we are most known for and a driver is the most popular role at Express Trailers,” pointed out Nicole. “In fact, we usually receive applications even when no vacant positions are open! However, even here, the local market is becoming increasingly competitive as well.” Current Vacancies at Express Trailers include a Forklift Operator, a VRT Tester, an Account Clerk, a Bond Operations Clerk, a Sales Clerk and a Customer Care agent

I would say that personal professional development is becoming more in demand, and we are happy to be offering such an opportunity to our employees.

for Express Trailers’ online shopping platform ShipLowCost. Company recruiters and HR managers will all agree that keeping employees incentivised remains an ongoing challenge. “At Express Trailers, we do this through regular appraisals and salary reviews, we offer health insurance cover, we seek to improve remuneration packages and we encourage our people to grow professionally by offering them more training and development opportunities. I would say that personal professional development is becoming more in demand, and we are happy to be offering such an opportunity to our employees.” There is an intense programme of training opportunities in store for the coming months. In fact, besides the regular refresher training courses that are mandatory for certain licences, a training plan on Cyber Security is being drafted to increase awareness about this very crucial subject. The area of Human resources remains very dynamic but also very a very demanding one and Nicole acknowledges how these past two years especially, the pandemic has caused many shifts and changes both internally and externally and this brings about a certain level of fatigue. “Our main concern now has become everyone’s general well-being but thankfully we are now in a position to start hosting more social events and this is allowing us to interact together again in a more relaxed environment which helps us to cultivate a more positive culture and a stronger morale at work,” concluded Nicole Vella.

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OUR PEOPLE CHARLES ARAPA

Head of Software Applications & Analytics Charles has been working at Express Trailers for the past 30 years and remembers the days when they were only 10 employees in the office, so he had to work in different roles to support various departments. “I started as accounts and reception clerk and used to support the export team, assisting in the customs clearance process and coordinating customs officials’ visits at port. In 1995 I started to support the company’s software provider and shifting processes electronically such as auto calculations of invoices, auto costing system and other shipping documents. From here, my credit control journey started, a role I kept for the past 28 years. In 2013 I was promoted Head of Finance and Management Information and was made responsible for all our information systems and software suppliers. In 2015, I experienced our warehousing operations and in 2020 I started my new journey as Head of Software and Management Information which eventually evolved into Head of Software Applications and Analytics. . Perhaps the most important milestone was the complete roll out of our Carlo TMSystem last year.”    Charles’ Favourites... Favourite book – Bravo two zero Favourite film – Gladiator Favourite singer – Roger Waters Favourite music bands – Pink Floyd, U2 and Queen Favourite food – Pasta al pesto

MARIO FALZON Haulage Team Leader Mario Falzon, more endearingly known by his peers and colleagues as ‘Meccic’ joined Express Trailers 32 years ago when he was only 20. Hailing from Qormi, Mario loves horse racing, a few beers with his friends and enjoys good food mostly horse meat, rib-eye, and pasta. “I joined Express Trailers when I was very young and today I am a Team Leader, a trailer driver and I also work as a fork-lift operator. I have always been very happy working at Express because we are truly made to feel one big family, where colleagues are friends. I find the Vella brothers very down to earth and management is always willing to listen to our requirements. I also feel that as a company, we also enjoy a healthy relationship with our clients which makes our jobs easier. Being part of this great team is what gives me most satisfaction in my job!”

Express Trailers’ relationship with Hammar Maskin AB goes back thirtysix years when in 1985, Express Trailers ordered its first side-loader for its local operations. THE

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The relationship was kept alive by Noel Vella, one of the third-generation family MARIO DEBATTISTA directors, who kept being regularly Customs Clearance and Documentation Clerk contracted by Hammar to conduct modification and servicing works to existent side-loaders for Maltese clients Mario, who in May turns 61, has been working at Express andtoday, for re-export. Trailers for 30 years and his role is that of a

Customs Clearance and Documentation Clerk.

Eventually, Express Trailers Engineering was set up as Express Trailers’ new “Showing gratitude ismanufacturing one of the qualities that besttodefine arm specifically who I am. In fact, I was veryongrateful for having work side-loaders sent tobeen Maltaasked by HAMMAR. to tell a bit more about myself. I am also grateful for being

part of this company. I have spent half my life here at Today, Express Trailers’ busy of Express Trailers and I consider everyone here asteam my second 25 industrial workers are responsible family.”

for all the rebuilding and upgrading works including structure blasting, “My hobbies? I like to the go through the local newspapers hydraulics, modification of chassis, to keep myself updated, I love listening totomost of conversion of chassis maketypes it music except opera singing. I like dancing I also systems enjoy telescopic, braking andbut electrical and other alterations as per client joking because it is my way of making those aroud me specification. smile. Then I just enjoy my weekends mostly, when I get to

go to Valletta to enjoy a peaceful coffee and a cigarette as I The team is also in a position to work sit on a bench reading to relax myself.” and conduct modifications and improvements on crane structures as “What does the colourwell Orange mean tovehicles me? Itto means as converting be radiostrength and energy just like anand orange full of vitamins controlled operated.

gives us energy!”

“Our work for HAMMAR and the trust that this global brand has always bestowed upon our people and our company has always been a source of pride. We commemorate this fifth anniversary in the knowledge that this has been yet another important milestone for our company that confirmed once again FLORIN HILCU the Express Trailers brand as a strong economic player,” commented Franco Overseas Driver Azzopardi, CEO of Express Trailers. Express Trailers’ logistics setup allows the Florin is a veteran driver, whoofhas of ourunits to delivery the been rebuiltpart HAMMAR team of overseas drivers for the past 14 years. the client, anywhere in the world. So far Express Trailers has rebuilt and upgraded trailers for “I’m 49 years old and side-loading I live in Bucharest. MyHAMMAR hobby isand exported them to customers in the fishing but when I am driving, I’m happy listening to UK, Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean 80s music!” amongst other countries.

“I have been driving for Express Trailers for over fourteen years and mostly I get to drive to and from the United Kingdom. “I like my job very much because I am proud to be part of this company and I like to know that I am giving my contribution as a driver. Right now, the thing that I am looking forward to is the new hub that the company is building in Trasta near Genoa. I think it is a fantastic project which will help us do our job better and more efficiently.

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