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Events 42 maltatoday, Sunday, 22 June 2014 Initial Farsons Business Park masterplan presented to board of directors GasanMamo gives 65% discount straight off car insurance An initial proposed masterplan for the development and trans- formation of the iconic old brew- house and former packaging halls into the Farsons Business Park has just been presented to the Farsons board of directors. Farsons Group chairman Louis A. Farrugia announced this when he addressed shareholders after the company's AGM held on Wednes- day, 18 June. In line with previ- ous company statements on the preparation of a masterplan for the development of the Farsons Busi- ness Park, the board appointed Ian Ritchie Architects, a British firm of architects of international repute, to lead the masterplan team. Over the past three months, a vi- sionary masterplan for the façade building and land has been pre- pared by Architect Ian Ritchie and his team, with support from Malta based engineers TBA Periti, as well as a host of specialists covering building sustainability, landscape, lighting and visitor experience de- sign. Ian Ritchie Architects Ltd has a reputation for the unexpected, sus- tainable design and innovation and has undertaken research and de- velopment for major international companies. Major architectural and engi- neering works include the Reina Sofia Museum of Modern Art in Madrid, the Leipzig Messe Glass Hall, the Louvre Sculpture Courts and Pyramids, La Villette Cité des Sciences, the Jubilee Line Exten- sion and International Regatta Centre in London, The Spire in Dublin and the Royal Shakespeare Company Courtyard Theatre. Ian Ritchie said, "The Farsons project represents a wonderful opportunity to highlight the im- portance of regenerating Mrieħel, while making use of exceptional industrial heritage structures and placing their transformation into a very high quality development. "Building upon Malta's heritage, the design concept embraces envi- ronmentally sensitive and sustain- able business pavilions set in a se- ries of courtyard gardens, and will raise the standard of office design in Malta. "Farsons have acted as both pio- neers and guardians of Malta's industrial heritage and their sig- nificant investment in the archi- tectural and landscape thinking behind this ambitious project should certainly enhance Malta's burgeoning reputation as a centre for international business." The Brewery façade will be sensitively restored and pioneer the showcasing of Malta's indus- trial heritage. Once completed, the project will include around 50,000m2 of commercial space an- chored by Grade A offices, together with complementary retail, leisure, cultural and social facilities. This will bring about a new chapter in the future transformation of the industrial area of Mrieħel. The old brewhouse itself will be transformed into a vibrant leisure entertainment hub with restau- rants, bars, event spaces and a dynamic brewery visitor experi- ence which celebrates the past, present and future of Farsons and its brands. The latest brewing and packaging processes and latest in- novations will be showcased while providing a new generation of in- novative workspace solutions for creative and emerging business enterprises. Before proceeding on to the de- tailed design phases of the finalised project, the board will be consider- ing the way forward to secure the necessary MEPA, Transport Malta and other regulatory approvals. It will also be engaging with fi- nancial service providers on the best way to structure and fund the project, as well as with other potential stakeholders, such as de- velopers in the Mrieħel area and government agencies which own substantial areas of land in the vi- cinity. Many 18 to 24 year olds see getting insured and paying for their car in- surance as an extra burden, even though statistically they are within the age bracket when they need car insurance the most. GasanMamo Insurance, the leading motor insurer in Malta, is launching a first to the market, a new scheme which will give those in the 18 to 24 age bracket an instant 65% discount on their car insurance and the independence and freedom of having their car insurance in their own names while earning their own no claims discount from day one. "We know how difficult it is for younger people to get insured and how most issue the policy in a par- ent's name so that they can benefit from their no claims discount and pay a cheaper premium," said Fran- cis Valletta, general manager at GasanMamo Insurance. "We have always been at the fore- front in the insurance industry and through the introduction of this scheme, a first on the Maltese Is- lands, we are giving young drivers the freedom of having their own car insured in their own name at a dis- counted premium while reassuring parents by giving them some peace of mind by rewarding their children for good driving." Drivers between 18 and 24 years old who apply for this new scheme will get a 65% discount by simply installing a telematics device, which records the speed and distance cov- ered by the vehicle. This information will be used to score driving performance and all a driver needs to do is to maintain a healthy score by driving cautiously. The current score can be accessed by the driver at any point in time via a website and the driver will also be alerted when points are deducted. Further information on the scheme can be obtained by visiting www.boosh.com.mt or one of Gas- anMamo's branches. "Skoda has a long-standing tradition in two-wheel mo- bility," says Werner Eich- horn, Skoda Board Member for Sales and Marketing. "The history of the com- pany began 119 years ago with the construction of the first bicycles. Our latest bike collection is the most extensive that Skoda has ever offered." The current range combines the most advanced bicycle technology with the slickest designs. Two high-tech racing bikes form the pinnacle of ŠKODA's new bicy- cle range. The top model, the 'Sko- da Road Elite' weighs in at only 7.9 kg. The frame and forks are made of carbon, incorporating Shimano Ul- tegra components. The racing bike 'Skoda Road' with an aluminium frame, carbon forks and compo- nents from the Shimano-105 line is also extremely light, coming in at 8.5 kg. The Czech brand's range of moun- tain bikes has grown from three to seven models. The top model is still the 11.7kg, lightweight 'Skoda MTB 29 Elite' model with a carbon frame and Shimano XT & SLX compo- nents. The 'Skoda MTB 27 Elite' is a brand new addition to the range, weighing in at only 10.5 kg, and also featuring a carbon frame with Shi- mano elements. The 'Skoda MTB 29+' stands out with its aluminium frame and weighs in at 13.2 kg. Us- ing the same technology, but featur- ing 27-inch wheels, the 11.4 kg 'Skoda MTB 27+' is now available for the first time. For cyclists who are not looking to ride over rough terrain, but still love the look and feel of a cutting-edge mountain bike, there are the 'Skoda MTB 29' and 'Skoda MTB 27' models. The wheels feature aluminium frames, front fork suspension, Shi- mano Acera, Alivio and De- ore components and 27 gears. This is also the first season Skoda has brought out a mountain bike spe- cifically designed for women – the 'Skoda MTB Lady'. Its fantastic de- sign and custom frame shape really set this bike apart. The technology and other features are identical to the 'Skoda MTB 27'. After its premiere last year, the electric bike 'Green E Line' is also part of this season's Skoda collec- tion. The 21.7 kg lightweight model is constructed as a 'Pedelec' (pedal electric cycle). With this type of E-Bike, the mo- tor is engaged, providing peddling assistance when you step on the pedal. Depending on the setting, the motor will add an additional 35, 75, 150 or 300 percent to the force you exert on the pedal. For licencing and insurance purposes, the motor will support a maximum speed of 25 km/h. The brand's BionX E-Motor, in- tegrated into the rear wheel hub provides 250 W, with a range of up to 105 km. The battery will last up to four hours – the powertrain is equipped with recuperation tech- nology, saving the energy expended when breaking or rolling and trans- ferring it back to the motor. The battery mounted into the frame weighs a mere 2.6 kg. In just a few simple steps, the E-Bike can be converted into a normal trekking bike by exchanging the rear wheel. The battery is easily removed. AX Holdings awards employees for 355 years of service A group of 34 AX Holdings em- ployees recently received awards for their collective 355 years of service. At the firm's Long Service Awards Ceremony, held at The Palace, Group Chairman Angelo Xuereb presented awards and cer- tificates to employees who cele- brated their fifth, tenth, fifteenth, twentieth and twenty-fifth anni- versaries with AX Holdings. Xuereb went on to thank them for their loyalty, commitment and their years of excellent service, which have provided the founda- tion for all activities embarked upon by AX Holdings. In his address, Xuereb com- mended these employees for their efforts and their 355 years of serv- ice, whilst emphasising that they are an important part of the AX Holdings family. Xuereb stressed the fact that AX Holdings is one of the leading private organisa- tions in Malta thanks to the out- standing staff and their passion for excellence. During the event two ex-em- ployees were presented with gifts for reaching retirement age in 2013 and special awards were presented to eight employees who received nominations for the Malta Tourism Authority special awards. The AX Group of companies is involved in five core sectors namely, construction, hospitality, property development, restora- tion and healthcare. AX Holdings constantly aims to create a stimu- lating and rewarding environ- ment for all its employees at their work place. Skoda's new 2014 Bicycle Range – broadest and best collection ever