The name JMV Building Solutions is synonymous with the processing, stocking and supply of steel reinforcement and steel sections to the local construction industry. JMV is the only electro-welded steel producer in Malta, producing steel wire mesh from hot rolled wire, which satisfies seismic norms and standards (MSA en10080:2005 Grade B500C).
The JMV Group has been harping on about quality and adherence to standards for decades. And especially now that Malta has recently reinforced its commitments on quality, Design & Build has interviewed Raymond Vassallo, Chief Executive Officer of this group of companies, as part of its mission to inform its readers of Malta’s elite contributors to our construction, property and interiors industries.
The Group’s origins go back to 1969, when the founder John Mary Vassallo bought a company which two years earlier had started producing precast concrete blocks in Zebbug. Along the years the company started trading in steel reinforcement and other building materials. Today the JMV Group operates from an area of approximately 20,000 square metres, and is made up of the following companies: JM Vassallo Vibro Blocks Limited which is the parent company and also the manufacturing arm; JM Vassallo Vibro Steel Limited, which is the trading company, and CMT Laboratories Limited which is responsible for quality control and mechanical testing.
Design & Build spoke to CEO Raymond Vassallo who has been working within the family business for over 40 years.
“We have thrived for over 50 years and have established a reputation of quality, performance, experience, reliability and commitment in supplying steel material and other products in an efficient and organised way. JMV has always focused on supplying a quality, certified material,” he says.
in order to survive and expand, one has to invest in order to be more efficient, flexible and ultimately more competitive
The Group has in fact been ISO certified since 1997. “The Certification helped us to become more disciplined with the objective to always improve our operations since we are subject to yearly audits and re-certification. Our ISO certification covers not just one aspect of the company. It is extremely comprehensive covering sales, purchases, processing, manufacturing, quality and traceability, risk assessment, health and safety, employees, stocking, accounting and other areas. Even our equipment is CE certified, thus it is always, as a minimum, in line with health and safety standards,” explains Raymond Vassallo.
photo: a computer-controlled machine in operation at one of the processing points within the JMV complex
The Group also has its own in-house testing laboratory, in which samples from steel processing and mesh production are tested daily in order to ensure that the materials comply with the required standards even after it is machine processed. Through a traceability system, quality can be monitored at every step of the process. The system provides the identification of the original raw material and batch from which it has been processed through the various stages.
The Group’s drive towards constant growth and improvement shows no signs of declining any time soon. Raymond Vassallo believes that constant investment; particularly in equipment, HR and training are the key drivers to the Group’s operational efficiency and growth.
One of the company’s strengths is the continuous investment in innovative steel processing equipment, which sets the company apart from its competitors. “Over the last two decades we have seen a total transformation of the market: the growth of the internet, Malta becoming a member of the European Union, the improvement in the flexibility and efficiency of transport by air and by sea. All of these have dramatically increased competition in all sectors and upped the standards that we wanted to adhere to. Therefore, in order to survive and expand, one has to invest in order to be more efficient, flexible and ultimately more competitive,” he says.
photo: a section of the stock of quality steel wire mesh constantly maintained by the JMV Group
JMV recently invested in the installation of additional product lines in order to become more efficient and serve customers quicker. This investment was mainly driven by an increase in demand for the company’s materials. The Group is well prepared to cater both for large orders as well as for smaller purchases, having separate, dedicated sections allocated to each.
“Today, time is money. Apart from quality, clients needs to know that they will be served in the shortest time possible,“ he adds.
The Group is also firmly committed to education and training. JMV Group trains its own personnel both locally as well as abroad. Occasionally JMV also organises training seminars for customers and professional applicators. “Training is very important both to the company as well as to the workers, who need to feel confident in their work. It gives us the opportunity to expand the knowledge base of our people. Machine operators need to be adequately trained to operate steel processing lines and sales staff need to be able to give the right advice when suggesting solutions for particular problems. Therefore they have to be well versed on the correct application and use of our products, as they are the people who come into contact with our clients on a day to day basis – our technical office, composed of two architects, was established for this very purpose.”
Apart from quality, clients needs to know that they will be served in the shortest time possible
The company’s focus on quality and adherence to standards is not directed just at providing an end quality that is in line with quality standards, but also helps to promote safety at the workplace by eliminating risks to workers.
For Raymond Vassallo, environmental responsibility is also a topic he places a lot of importance on. JMV Group recently collaborated with the Faculty for the Built Environment to research construction products and engineering materials for more sustainability in the construction industry. Raymond believes that “the use of innovative products which do not essentially harm the environment neither during production of the product itself nor during the application process is already addressing damage which has been inflicted upon the building environment in the past,” adding that “the Group operates under an Environmental Permit and also exports any steel wastage abroad so that it can be recycled and reused.”
Raymond advocates the need for more recycling of construction dumping. JMV Group also markets an energy efficient construction system known as EVG-3D. These wall and slab panels are produced locally and the panels are made from 100mm core EPS with galvanised mesh and wire. This system provides optimum thermal insulation properties without settlement cracks. It is also anti-mould, sound proof and has excellent anti-seismic properties. The Group also supplies Ytong light insulated load-bearing blocks; which also have very good thermal insulation properties, as well as the Kerakoll Green range of products which have been specifically developed for the protection of the environment as a solution for concrete repair and the conservation of old buildings.
photo: a section of the stock of quality steel wire mesh constantly maintained by the JMV Group
The Group represents a number of global brands with which it has established very good business relations over the years. Its main suppliers are Ferriere Nord of Italy, who supply steel reinforcement, CSB for steel sections, Isomat, Gutta, ATP, Kerakoll and Schiavetti amongst others; according to Raymond, “a perfect and reliable supplier is one who also can suit your requirements efficiently, at all times and at a competitive price – and one that can give you the necessary assistance and training.”
The Group is indirectly present in most local construction projects through its customers. To mention a few, JMV supplied all the steel reinforcement for the Portomaso Tower, the Kappara Flyover as well as the 14 East Gzira tower project. It also supplied the EVG-3D Construction System for the San Antonio Hotel extension. At the moment, JMV is involved with supplying steel reinforcement for Zaha Hadid’s Mercury House Tower, the Malta International Airport and the new Fortina Project amongst others.
Apart from the environment, the Group is involved in a number of CSR initiatives and regularly contributes to philanthropic, educational, artistic and sports projects.
the Group … exports any steel wastage abroad so that it can be recycled and reused
With regards to the current scenario within the local construction industry, Raymond Vassallo states that the industry is going through much activity whilst at the same time regenerating itself to comply with those new regulations which address issues of safety at construction sites. He recommends that the industry takes a more long term approach, stating that “we need to have a holistic evaluation of the pros and cons of what we want to achieve – not solely the present day but for the next 20 to 30 years.”
“we need to have a holistic evaluation of the pros and cons of what we want to achieve – not solely the present day but for the next 20 to 30 years”
With regards to the biggest challenges that the company faces, Raymond Vassallo speaks about the sheer dangers of failing to comply to the legal standards of operations – not only to the country at large but directly to those who do not comply to such standards. He explains “We are not afraid of competition, neither locally nor from foreign companies. However, there has to be a level playing field and everyone has to abide by the same standards and obligations.” For instance, he speaks of the EN 1090, which are mandatory European standards for the processing of steel beams and sections covering areas such as cutting and drilling.
These standards were implemented by the European Union over 5 years ago. Raymond explains that a lack of adherence to these standards can not only lead to a business’ closure, but moreover place owners directly liable to legal proceedings and arrest – factors which are evident in other countries, These standards are not enforced by all players in Malta. “Whilst some companies strive to reach levels of high quality, other industry players need to catch up,” he says.
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