Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/734031
51 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2016 LLA at Malta translog forum HAYDN Sandvig, from the UK- based Logistics Learning Alli- ance (LLA), a specialist business in providing supply chain and logistics training to the commer- cial and humanitarian sectors will once again be a key speaker at the upcoming Logistics Man- ager & Practitioner Forum on Wednesday 5th October and de- liver a case study on 'Best prac- tice in the transport and logistics sector'. This has been a landmark year for the Maltese TransLog indus- try with the realisation of a Lo- gistics Hub in Ħal Far and the creation of a dedicated business section at the Malta Chamber of Commerce. Can you talk about the state of industry in Malta? HS: It is clear for all to see that, since the mid 1990s, Malta has evolved in terms of ICT, finance, gaming and maritime sectors, among others. For those like my- self, Malta still represents a fan- tastic tourist location as the island and its peo- ple continue to em- brace the tourism industry. In re- cent years, what has also become apparent is the Malta airport has grown in importance and in its own right has started to be- come a hub. The devel- opment of Malta as a strate- gic supply chain and logistics hub is a natural progression of this evolution and should be grasped upon and developed further over the coming years. I, as part of the TransLog events since 2014, am of course very happy to contrib- ute towards this objective. How can we bring out the best value from warehouse and lo- gistics management for Malta and Maltese businesses? HS: Through our experience and partners in Malta, we know that there is a huge demand for training and enhancement of skills in this sector. We continue to bring over the latest standards and best practice, and to share it with our training participants and audience. Our aim is to share information on how people can add value to their workplace and contribute towards the results of their company. This is where the TransLog events play a crucial role in pro- viding a forum to industry par- ticipants. Why are TransLog events impor- tant to Malta? HS: They are important because they bring fresh impetus to devel- opments. If you recall, the inau- gural Logistics Manager & Prac- titioner Forum was held last year in June and took place on the back of a Transport Managers & Prac- titioners Forum in October 2014, which was held on the sidelines of Malta's first transport and logis- tics awards, the TransLog Awards. Obviously these events have con- tinued to be held because of the demand and also because the sec- tors in Malta continue to aspire to world-class standards. I believe TransLog events are having a significant role to play on local level, and perhaps should be also upscaled to play at regional level. When our partner Alex Borg, from Support and Supply Man- agement Group (SSM), discussed with us this concept of launching TransLog with marketing com- munications agency BPC Interna- tional way back in 2014, we quickly encour- aged the idea and in fact contrib- uted towards its objective and results because of the inherent potential they have. This po- tential is natu- rally linked to Malta's own pros- pects to become one of the most prosperous economies in the Mediterranean. Can you share some best-practice case studies relevant to Malta? HS: Let's talk about the 'Last Mile' management. Technology has become the most valuable re- source on the planet. Corporations invest billions in the delivery and installation of their products. City to city, airport to laboratory or warehouse to data centre, the 'last mile delivery', now, is the most critical element. Yet we allow the 'last mile' to be the weak link in the supply chain. In partnership with a technical logistics company in Ire- land, we developed DOPsys (De- livery Offload Positioning System) taking the service levels of the 'last mile' to a higher level. The core principle is to embed with staff a level of training and commitment to bring the customer not simply good service but exceptional levels of service. The success of DOPsys brings to the manufacturer, sup- plier and customer an end to end level of service which creates loyal and long-term customers. • The 2nd edition of the Logistics Manager & Practitioner Forum will feature an expanded programme with events being held on 4th and 5th October. • 4th October: 'Bringing out the best value from warehouse and logistics management' at the Victoria Hotel, Sliema from 2.30pm to 5pm. • 5th October: 2nd Logistics Manager & Practitioner Fo- rum at the Victoria Hotel, Sliema from 2pm to 5.30pm. The event is supported by HSBC Commercial Banking and the it will be addressed by, among others, the Minis- ter for Economy, Investment and Small Business Hon. Dr Christian Cardona. • More information and prior registeration can be made at 2123 1015 and comm@ssmgroup.org Farsons reports steady growth in a highly competitive environment FARSONS Group reported a robust financial performance for the six months ended 31 July, 2016 with in- creases in both turnover and profit- ability when compared to the same period last year. Group turnover amounted to €46 million with prof- its after tax from the operational activities, at €5.5 million, exceeding last year's record figure by 20%. A solid performance of Malta's economy together with signifi- cant growth in tourist arrivals and expenditure contributed to the improved Group performance, particularly within the company's brewed core beer brands. Further- more, the opening of two new fran- chised food outlets in Mosta was the prime driver for an improved performance of this segment while the food importation business regis- tered improved turnover and profit- ability. The profit for the period, in- cluding discontinued operations dropped by €796k, mainly resulting from a one-off material adjustment of €1.8million in last year's results relating to the changes in capital gains taxation rules. In reviewing the performance of the Group's business, Farsons Group Chief Executive, Mr Norman Aquilina, said: "Our business re- mains highly dependent on the pre- vailing economic climate, consumer confidence and disposable income together with the performance of the tourism sector." He cautioned that "we are monitoring potential adverse macro economic factors such as the continuing softness of economic growth across the EU and the ongoing situation following the UK referendum in favour of Brexit which may impact the results of the second half of the year. Moreover, the significant additional deprecia- tion charge on the investment in the beer packaging facility will also im- pact the full year's results". On the investment side, construc- tion works on the extension of the logistics centre together with the new office space development to house the Group's administrative employees are currently underway. The Group's Chairman, Mr Louis A. Farrugia, referred to the addi- tional work related to the design and business planning for the Far- sons Business Park. He said that "the planning application process is well underway and the project is set to commence during the second half of 2017, following approval at the 2017 Annual General Meeting". The board of directors also rec- ommended an interim dividend of €1 million, similar to last year pay- able out of tax exempt profits on 19 October to those registered ordi- nary shareholders as at 5 October 2016. APS to operate €12 million innovation facility for Maltese SMEs OVER the next two years, APS Bank in collaboration with European Investment Fund (EIF) will make available a loan portfolio of €12 mil- lion to support local SMEs in devel- oping, streamlining and innovating their operations, products, services or financing business transfers subject to certain terms and condi- tions. The InnovFin Scheme is ap- plicable to a wide range of business sectors and falls under the Horizon 2020 EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. InnovFin provides for 50% risk sharing by the EIF, resulting in a maximum guarantee of €1.2 mil- lion per SME, on the financing of business loans not exceeding €2.4m at competitive interest rates with a maximum repayment term of 10 years. Commenting on the initiative, APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar, said that the Bank "has a centennial tradition of supporting commu- nity entrepreneurs who have always been the backbone of the economic progress of our Islands. We would particularly like to see innovative projects in environment, technol- ogy, science, education, culture, health and social care." SMEs interested in applying for the scheme are urged to contact APS Bank's Commercial Business Unit (CBU) for an appointment by calling the APS customer support centre on 2122 6644. For more in- formation about InnovFin, you can visit the bank's webpage on www. apsbank.com.mt/InnovFin. MPs meet scientists for Science in the House Speaker of the House Anglu Farru- gia greeted research scientists and MPs for the 5th annual Science in the House gathering at Parliament Building in Valletta. The exhibition consists of boards and audio-visual screens focus- ing on research in Malta. General science topics include electromag- netic fields in medicine, evaluation of earthquake risk on the Maltese Islands, the economics and politics of household recycling, zebrafish as an animal model for studying bone diseases, new drugs for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and novel hybrid optomechanical technolo- gies, among others. As part of the theme this year, a selection of the exhibition is des- ignated to neuroscience and brain research. Maltese scholars past and present whose research has impact- fully contributed to the field of cog- nitive science and neuroscience will be celebrated including Prof. Louis Vassallo (Medicine), Prof. George Xuereb (Pathology, Rector), Prof. Edward de Bono (Lateral Think- ing) and Dr Ludvic Zrinzo (Neuro- surgery). Science in the House is a media exhibition showcasing research conducted at the University of Mal- ta, and elsewhere in Malta, for in- formal discussion with Members of the Maltese and European Parlia- ments. It is organised by the Malta Chamber of Scientists, the Univer- sity Research Trust (RIDT) and the European Researchers' Night, Sci- ence in the City consortium. The Science in the House ex- hibition will be open for public viewing tomorrow Friday 30 Sep- tember during the event European Researcher's Night, Science in the City from 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm in the foyer of the Parliament Building in Valletta. During Notte Bianca on Saturday 1st October the exhibition will be open from 6pm to midnight. While during weekdays until 6th Octo- ber, the public can visit the exhibi- tion from 9.00am to 5.00pm and on Sunday from 9am to 12.30pm. University of Malta Rector Prof Alfred Vella showing the new journal Xjenza to Minister Evarist Bartolo and Minister Helena Dalli