my career todate
my career todate
Index Limited, Valletta
1977-1979
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importers of Twinlock stationery,
Adler & Imperial typewriters
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My first was a rock-bottom, low responsibility job that lasted one and a half years.
As an 'Office Boy' (aged 16), I ran errands to the bank, Customs House, the Post Office, etc. and to clients, delivering stationery and office equipment, as well as assisting in the retail sales of "Twinlock" loose-leaf systems.
Managing Director: Capt. Anthony G.H. Pace O'Shea
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C&H Bartoli, Gzira
1979-1980
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importers and retailers
of Catering Equipment
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Here, as a junior clerk, I got my introduction to Customs procedures and was responsible for most of the company's spare parts imports. I was also involved in showroom sales of Catering Equipment and crockery.
In this job, which lasted a little less than a year (as I was offered my next position by a friend of the family), I enjoyed excellent guidance and developed a strong sense of procedure.
Office Manager: Mr David Abela
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Pharmamed Ltd, Bulebel
1980-1987
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later named Actavis
manufacturers and exporters
of Generic Pharmaceuticals
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At the age of nineteen, I joined this company (then at its infancy) as a Shipping Clerk. I was responsible for sales order processing, preparing weekly exports and had charge of the driver and despatch storeman. This was even before the advent of computers and fax machines at Malta; it was the age of the telex machine and formal letter writing.
I worked at Pharmamed for over seven years, leaving at the age of 26, driven by my desire to work directly in the shipping arena. I feel, however, that the demanding environment of the manufacturing industry prepared me to take on the equally challenging freight forwarding industry.
General Manager: Mr Joseph C. Grioli
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Thos.C.Smith & Co. Ltd., Valletta
1987-1994
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international freight forwarders
and shipping agents
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My first post in this company (later known as Thomas Smith & Co. Ltd) was that of a Marketing Executive; a new post in this long established firm undergoing intense cultural upheaval. Once a leading ship's agent in colonial Malta, 'Smith' had been experiencing the commercial drought of the 80's and was in dire need of business regeneration as opposed to waiting for the apples to fall from the trees, by relying on its excellent goodwill as had been its custom till then.
My brief, therefore, was to help develop its 'groupage' seafreight services and, after that, its airfreight imports. Both were tough sectors, where the industry's quality of service was being threatened by the ever falling rates and our goodwill was not enough to build solid traffic. But together we managed.
During my seven and a half years here, I progressed to (Cargo) Assistant General Manager, getting more involved in general administrative duties, aside from sales and operational issues, and to some extent in Overseas Removals.
At Thomas Smith I received training in Selling Techniques, Marketing Management, Customer Care and Dangerous Goods handling, for all of which I remain genuinely grateful.
Managing Director: Mr Joe Gerada
General Manager: Mr Charles J.Musu'
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Biochemicals Intl. Ltd., Corradino
1994-1996
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manufacturers and wholesalers
of toiletries and detergents
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Returning to the manufacturing industry, first as Purchasing Manager, then as Marketing Manager for the local market, I soon felt the withdrawal symptoms from having parted with the cargo industry. It felt like a bad move and my own conclusion was that I had to return to what I did best; freight forwarding and cargo handling.
During my two and a half years at 'Bio' I participated in the Chemex International Fair at Wembly, UK, where we exhibited 2 new brands of toiletries and, later, at the Baghdad Fair (during the Gulf crisis) as part of a Joint Maltese Trade Mission from the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industry.
Managing Director: Mr V. Zammit
Sr. Marketing Manager: Mr T.Bjarnason
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Property Negotiator
1995-1996
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sideline activity during
my time at Biochemicals.
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In order to maximize on my time during my employment at Biochemicals, since the day finished early and we even had 'half-days' during Summer, I engaged in this exciting activity that gave me a lot of personal satisfaction.
I had to find property to sell, clients to sell to, advertise, manage my appointments, as well as making and affixing signage; working till late at night, but never getting exhausted. Though this coincided with the lowest selling period for Real Estate in Malta, I only discontinued this work because I rejoined the shipping industry and was compelled to work extremely long hours.
Status: my own manager
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Carmelo Caruana Co. Ltd, Floriana
1996-1998
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shipping agents for CMA-CGM
(Marseilles)
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Although officially employed as Freight Forwarding Manager, my role and title were changed to Commercial Manager (mlt.sfarrugia@cma-cgm.com) to suit the needs of the CMA-CGM Malta agency.
Heading a staff of fifteen, including the Customs Clearance department, Sea and Air freight forwarding, and the Liner division's Documentation, Commercial (Sales) and Logistics teams, was quite a challenge. CMA-CGM was by far the largest shipping line operating via a Malta hub and its demands were extraordinary. My largely un-initiated shipping teams had to cope with the introduction of 2 new software systems (CMA's 'AIMS' and Logistics programs), a change in the company's own freight software (to Shireburn), a constant lack of data from the line's global agency network (inbound shipments), as well as with training in the CMA's strict procedures and general shipping procedures.
Apart from my Malta-pivot role vis-à-vis CMA-CGM (Marseilles) headoffice, my administrative duties included Debtor and Demurrage control, Customer Care, dealing with authorities such as Malta Customs, and human resource issues within my group; managers were formally trained to conduct 'Staff Appraisals' on a regular basis.
For me, this job necessitated working very long hours, but it provided ample satisfaction. My engagement here, however, was rather short-lived when a firm I knew well and whom I considered as family supplicated my assistance when it was going through turbulent times.
Managing Director: Mr Beppe Hili
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White Brothers Ltd, Marsa
1999-2003
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cargo handling and local haulage
contractors, warehousing & heavy lifts
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Whilst employed in the capacity of Assistant General Manager within White Bros. Ltd., I also had the complimentary role of managing the operations of White Freight Services Ltd, which was a Project company and freight forwarder.
My immediate brief was to take over the logistics management of an ongoing (onshore) Oil Exploration project, with which the company had been contracted and which had already reached maturity stage, without a formal handover. White Freight Services' successful handling of this project was certified by Saipem SpA, the client.
When the storm was over, we set our sights to reorganizing the company: building a strong image (including an informative company website); broadening the portfolio of services to include Heavy Lifts, Machinery Removals and Overseas Relocations; implimenting a 'Health & Safety' and 'Aircargo Security' Policy; reviewing insurance covers; controlling Debtors; formulating an operations manual; etc.
Parting company with White Brothers after four years was not easy, for they are (still) like family to me, but my work there was done and I needed to open my horizons to international freight forwarding anew.
Managing Director: Mr Mario Ciantar
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Salvo Grima (Freeport Oper.) Ltd, Kalafrana
2003-2004
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transhipment operations and
international freight forwarding
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My post here is also that of Assistant General Manager, overseeing a staff of eleven. Substantial amounts of my time are taken up daily in relation to the changes brought about by Malta's European Union (EU) membership, which were rather intense in the fields of Customs Clearance, cargo handling and Freeport storage.
Salvo Grima is comprised of a group of companies, dealing in a diversity of products and services, but all subtly interrelated. Our company, based at Malta Freeport, has special interest in the Libyan market, supporting a joint customs clearance and forwarding operation located in Tripoli. As far as our Malta base is concerned, we service other agents who need to 'cross-stuff' damaged containers, supply vessels calling at Malta Freeport, etc., as well as local and international clients requiring 'Freezone' storage for their goods during transit.
I am involved in day-to-day office administration, customer-care, quoting for services, assisting in operations and overseeing issues such as 'Health & Safety', insurance cover, legal issues and the like.
General Manager: Mr Joe Vassallo
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Important: None of the information regarding companies mentioned above is confidential insofar as it is readily obtainable elsewhere, however, none of it may be used for ulterior gain by third parties.
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