Facelift for the new millennium

by David Kelleher

A company's success mainly depends on three factors: controlled growth, teamwork and a satisfied customer base. Each one is linked to the other and a company which fails to keep these factors in mind will find the market place to be a very difficult environment to live in.

Although these factors constitute the build-up of a successful enterprise, continuous change in both image and strategy are also important, if not a must.

Twenty-five years ago, a small group of engineers and businessmen established a company in Malta that today is one of the leading enterprises offering consultancy and servicing in building services.

Earlier this month, the company changed its corporate image, giving it a facelift for the new millennium. Mediterranean Technical Services Ltd in Birkirkara started out in July 1975 as a small company with seven people at the time.

The services offered then were relatively new to Malta in that consultancy services were "frowned upon" by many in the industry, especially those requiring engineering services. In spite of this lack of acceptance' MTS's management persisted in moving ahead.

"When we opened in 1975 consultancy was virtually non-existent," managing director Joseph A. Spiteri, told The Malta Business Weekly.

"It was very tough at the beginning. The general mentality was against 'consultancy' and many believed that engineering services could be provided solely by the architects, plumbers and electricians," Mr Spiteri explained.

Despite facing a daunting struggle to convince people, especially businessmen in the construction and hotel industry, MTS were confident that basing their work

on two ideals - "we deliver" and "reliability" - they would succeed. "We contributed to the recognition of engineering in Malta to the extent that the profession started to benefit from the respect it deserves," director C. Stephen Debono said.

"The first years were difficult yet once we convinced the people of the need, and that it pays to get in consultants, we took off with a bang," Mr Spiteri added.

MTS pioneered the setting up of the local engineering consultancy industry 25 years ago, and have been commissioned to handle the largest as well as smaller-scale engineering projects for the building trade.

"Sound professionalism and expertise together with reliable support and the ability to deliver a quality service, have made us leaders in our field," Mr Debono explained.

Over the past 10 years, the company has changed both in its strategies and functions. The corporate image was redesigned as the need was felt to "keep up with the times", a motto that has enabled MTS to move ahead.

While many companies tend to build on growth at a pace that is, at times, unsustainable, MTS always felt the need to rein in their enthusiasm.

"We have contributed to introducing an element of professionalism in how things are actually done without moving far ahead, beyond our customer's budget and requirements," Mr Debono said.

"We have always tried to keep one step ahead but being very careful not to go too far ahead, for example, in increasing the company's human resources base. We always projected what we wanted to do. A controlled but definitive growth," Mr Debono said.

Today MTS employs around 50 persons and has been entrusted with numerous projects in Malta and Gozo.

Mr Spiteri stressed that success also depended on having the right core of professionals to carry out the work.

"We have some of the best engineers and technicians available. We do not promise to do miracles but we accept any challenge. In fact, some of our earlier work, which was extremely challenging, helped to established our name and reputation in the industry," Mr Spiteri said.

Apart from consultancy services, MTS has another division that deals with servicing and maintenance. Soon after the company began operations, the management saw that there was little commitment to after sales services in Malta.

"People used to import machinery and then sell it to their clients without actually guaranteeing an after sales service or reliable maintenance. We saw that there was a niche market and set up a proper services and maintenance division to handle just that," Mr Spiteri explained.

MTS does not only provide servicing and maintenance to its clients but also offers help to individuals or companies who purchased equipment but are not finding reliable after sales service.

The company makes sure that it delivers and on time, two important characteristics that MTS takes pride in.

With the exception of clerical staff, all the people at MTS are technically competent, including Anthony Spiteri, who is also a director and financial controller of the company. The staff is all dedicated and each of the eight partners in the company are not only shareholders, but also employees.

MTS strongly believes in its people and in working as a team. "We have a good mix of people harnessing between them a vast amount of experience. We are very proud of our company, of what we do, and the team environment we work in. This is very essential," Mr Debono said.

"I think it is only fair to thank not only our present staff for their commitment but also all those who helped us in the past, directors and staff. In our 25 years of existence, there is one group that is the most important of all - our clients - because without them we would not be here today," Mr Spiteri said.

On a parting note, Mr Spiteri summed up the company's success in one short statement: "Always look to the future with caution but with optimism." The secret of a company's success? Well, for MTS, it surely has been the case.