Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1418273
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 OCTOBER 2021 17 COMMERCIAL Hal Mann Vella facility extension earmarked for next year Despite having a technologically advanced manufacturing facility we continually invest in improving operational efficiency – Hal Mann Vella Group CEO "WORKS on the extension of the Hal Mann Vella factory fa- cility in Hal Far are expected to commence next year. The ex- tension will see the development of a new building infrastructure and an investment in a digi- tal plant, together with a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This investment forms part of Hal Mann Vella's commitment to retain its com- petitive edge in the local and overseas markets by constantly improving our manufacturing processes and techniques." This was announced by Hal Mann Vella Group CEO, Kevin Rapin- ett during a visit by President of Malta, H.E. George Vella, to the Hal Mann Vella showroom and factory in Lija. H.E. the President also had the opportunity of touring the fac- tory and showroom premises and meeting the Directors and Hal Mann Vella employees. In his address Mr Rapinett added that, "Hal Mann Vella has al- so recently completed a €1m purposely built logistics and distribution hub. Furthermore, the management team has con- tinued to enhance the product range on offer, including the provision of tailor-made solu- tions, to ensure that the Group continues to meet its custom- ers' demands." On research and develop- ment, Mr Rapinett said that "over the past years together with the University of Malta and Architects Franco Montes- in and Dion Buhagiar, we have been testing the use of recycled limestone waste to produce engineered stone. This prod- uct has the potential to start addressing the sustainability and waste management issues brought about by the construc- tion industry." Speaking about the effects of COVID-19, Mr Rapinett said that the pandem- ic brought with it unprecedent- ed challenges ranging from is- sues of keeping employees and customers safe, running the factory and site operations, and managing the commercial side of the business. Despite the challenges, it is satisfying to note that Hal Mann Vella re- mained open for business. This involved a coordinated effort from all employees who came together and showed tremen- dous resolve and resilience to keep the operations running, while working tirelessly with customers, suppliers, the au- thorities, and other stakehold- ers in an unprecedented diffi- cult business environment. " In conclusion Mr Rapinett thanked H.E. the President for choosing to visit Hal Mann Vella and pledged the Compa- ny's financial support towards The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, especially during these difficult times. H.E. The President of Malta, George Vella spoke about the importance of formation in trades and manufacturing as a strong sector in our country's economy. He also referred to the need for respect towards work- ers and to maintain industri- al harmony in the workplace. President Vella expressed his appreciation for the help that Hal Mann Vella has always giv- en to The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation and congratulated the company on the quality and professionalism with which they operate. The event came to an end with a donation by Group Chairman, Martin Vella to the Malta Community Chest Fund and a presentation of a mar- ble sculpture by artist and Hal Mann Vella employee, Paul Scerri that portrays in its de- sign the role of the President of Malta. Spot the Tree Challenge launched at Esplora THE GLOBE Observer App for citizens to collect data from trees to help scientists compare and validate the data collected from satellites was launched at Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara, Malta, on Wednesday 6th October. The Globe Observer App was launched as part of an initia- tive, between Esplora under the Ministry for Equality, Research and Innovation, GLOBE Malta through the Ministry for Edu- cation, and the U.S. Embassy in Malta, that contributes to ef- forts to address climate change. The spot the tree challenge will encourage citizens to spot trees around the Maltese Islands and to then map and measure their height using the NASA's Ob- server App. Addressing a press conference held at Esplora Interactive Sci- ence Centre, Kalkara the Hon- ourable Owen Bonnici, Minis- ter for Equality, Research and Innovation said: "Through the challenge proposed by this col- laboration, we are not only aim- ing to encourage school chil- dren to approach the sciences and interact with them, but also to instil in them an appreciation for nature and increase their awareness of the importance of trees in our environment. We are aiming to increase a sense of responsibility and accounta- bility for the care of our natu- ral environment in our younger generations." Anyone can participate in this initiative, families, students, teachers, adults, and older adults. Science is better when we do it together. By partici- pating in this challenge, citizens will be improving their science observation skills will be form- ing part of a world-wide com- munity of citizen scientists and will help to gather tree-height data which can be used by NA- SA and GLOBE scientists learn- ing more about why trees are important. Over the past few decades, so much fossil fuels have been burnt and so much carbon di- oxide has been released in the air, that the Earth's tempera- ture has risen. There exists a carbon problem, and unless we do something about it, Earth is going to get hotter. Thinking about trees as a car- bon sink, through a natural pro- cess, trees are able to capture the carbon dioxide from the air and use it to grow! The more trees there are, the more harmful car- bon dioxide being omitted from fossil fuels can be offset. This means that not only fossil fuels need to be replaced with alter- native forms of fuels, but also new trees and forests need to be planted to make up for what has already been released. But new trees and forests take decades to mature. This means, the already existing trees must be appreci- ated and protected. Space Agencies like NASA use satellites to gather data on trees all around the world, from their structure and height, to how carbon moves through the eco- system. Knowing the height of a tree helps scientists measure how much carbon is stored in that tree. All citizens can participate towards this challenge by downloading the app https:// observer.globe.gov/de/about/ get-the-app