MIBA overall winner Magro Brothers aims for top-tier status in European table sauce production

If there’s an elite list of home-grown local companies that make Malta proud, probably Magro Brothers is up there among them. In fact, it’s pretty safe to say that the Gozitan company has established itself convincingly over the decades, growing not only as one of Malta’s most prominent players in its field, distributing some of the most iconic products that are guaranteed to be found in each household’s pantry, but it has also made leaps in its internationalisation reach, distributing its product far beyond the local market.

Magro Brothers in fact was recognised for its incredible journey at the highly anticipated MIBAs, or Malta International Business Awards organised by TradeMalta, receiving the award for Best Large Exporter, as well as the much-coveted Overall Winner category.

The MIBAs which were held on 29th November celebrated Malta-based businesses that have demonstrated exceptional grit and success in the global market. The event is a testament to the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within Malta’s business community, highlighting those who have successfully expanded their operations beyond local shores.

“It all came in as a huge surprise, as we never really expected to win these prestigious awards. We were up against some of Malta’s finest and most accomplished companies who were finalists on the awards night, so the recognition was immensely emotional,” Christian Magro, CEO at Magro Brothers recalls.

In fact, it was a highly emotional moment even for John Magro, Christian’s father who expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the overall win.

“The award fills us with the courage to persevere in our ambition to continue growing on the international stage,” Christian notes in comments to BusinessNow.mt. “It confirms that we are on the right track, as we look at the future with enthusiasm.”

Magro Brothers specialises in producing and exporting table sauces, to the EU, UK, as well as the Middle East, with each market being provided with its own designed product according to market research. “Each product we place on the market is carefully designed to fit the palate and requirements of each market. Be it foody Italy or far-flung United Arab Emirates, each sauce is tweaked according to the specifications of each market,” Christian explains. “We produce no less than 70 different recipes, each bespoke to the needs of the flavour profile expected in the different countries.”

This attention to the needs of their international clients has already placed Magro Brothers among the top 10 distributors for table sauces in Europe, however their ambitions for the future are nothing short of impressive.

“Thanks to an investment we are in the process of making in our Xewkija plant, we want to establish ourselves within the top five producers and exporters of table sauces in Europe,” Christian declares.

“The investment will see the factory floor double in capacity, without occupying further land, by creating an intermediary floor in the existing edifice. This will allow us to grow our production line, while remaining mindful about our footprint. Furthermore, we will also be investing in a brand-new container production facility which will allow us to produce them on site, reducing transportation costs as well as carbon emissions into the environment.”

For Christian, TradeMalta was there from the start, as he traces Magro Brothers’ first steps on their journey towards internationalisation to a trade mission organised by TradeMalta, after which, as they say, the rest is history.

“We are very grateful for all the support we ever received from TradeMalta as well as all other entities. We are also extremely thankful for the dedication of all our teams, numbering no less than 184 workers. If it weren’t for their passion, we surely wouldn’t be able to obtain the successes we have achieved together,” Christian concludes.

The MIBAs were organised by TradeMalta and endorsed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. The awards were supported by TradeMalta’s strategic partner, HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., as well as Grant Thornton and Emirates as supporting partners, together with Times of Malta as the exclusive media partner.