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Unlike many of its neighbours, such as Tunisia and Italy, Malta does not enjoy a solid identity when its comes to the ceramics market.
This state of affairs is now due to change, thanks to Ta’ Qali’s Bristow Potteries Ltd, which has invested in new ceramic-making technology with the aim of simultaneously placing Malta on the world ceramics map and to place itself as a company in pole position come 1 May when Malta formally accedes to the European Union.
Bristow Potteries, with the assistance of Italian experts, has completely overhauled its production techniques by investing heavily in new state-of-the-art machinery with a view to limiting costs, bolstering the quality and style of the finished product, meeting the heavy demand from the local and tourist markets and venturing into the overseas market.
This most recent investment in machinery, which totalled Lm100,000, has catalysed a metamorphosis in Bristow’s main manufacturing plant, which has now evolved from electrical-driven to gas computerised kilns, while hi-tech press machines and other subsidiary machinery have also been upgraded to complement the new system.
This investment stands over and above the Lm200,000 the firm has put into improving and embellishing the factory premises, which included the addition of a new retail outlet, extensions to the shop floor, new offices and a substantial enlargement of the firm’s warehouse facilities.
As a result of these investment’s Bristow, which currently employs some 20 workers, has been able to introduce a number of new products such as house plaques and numbers, which have been upgraded with new colour schemes and styles after 30 years of production.
The company – headed by brothers Adrian, Mark, David and Brian Grima - has also attained the flexibility in its modus operandi to meet custom requests from clients, with any design supplied by a client being able to be applied on the numerous ceramic items on offer.
Bristow, winners of the 1993 award for achievement in industry, has also developed a new product in the form of hand-painted tiles that can be affixed either to the wall or can be used as a tabletop.
Italian consultants have been carrying out regular two week training visits on a twice-yearly basis to update staff on operating the new machinery, as well as on developing new skills in all production procedures, including the hand painting department. These visits are planned to continue for staff to remain on top of new developments in the industry.
Despite moving ahead in leaps and bounds of late, Bristow does not intend to become complacent. In fact, the company is already targeting a new market – producing semi-finished decorative items for the foreign market. The company is also working on exporting a new range of products to different overseas markets, through participating in a number of upcoming overseas fairs.
Bristow Potteries has been showcasing its new machinery and products at its premises at the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village this weekend by holding an ‘open weekend’, which wraps up today.
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