Idroplast Manufacturing Ltd. was established to manufacture water storage tanks in various shapes and sizes, and the company has risen to become what could well be the leading name in water tanks in Malta.
There is undoubtedly far more to this success story than the simple fact that Idroplast is the only manufacturer in Malta that insists on employing polyethylene in their manufacturing.
Design & Build has met up with Doreen Cutrona, the brains and brawns driving Idroplast, so as to discern what has set this company so far apart.
Mind you, Idroplast is equally renowned for its manufacture, supply and service of traffic barriers and cones, artificial turf, supply of polyethylene granules, various models of water tanks and mold-based solutions, and agricultural netting.
Doreen Cutrona, Managing Director at Idroplast Manufacturing Ltd, explained how they use prime grade polymer. Polyethylene, the material used by Idroplast in their production, is UV treated and caters specifically for Mediterranean temperatures. She explained how their material is more hygienic, food-grade and is very durable.
“Idroplast ..
started manufacturing polyethylene water tanks in Malta in 2008”
In fact, Idroplast supply their water tanks with a 15 year, no nonsense guarantee. She also said that by the end of its use, in 20 to 30 years, polyethylene can be recycled, and this is vital for our circular economy.
Doreen Cutrona started the business together with her husband around 20 years ago, after having seen a severe gap in the local market.
After considerable market research, they had found that nobody on the islands was manufacturing these type of water tanks, but rather importing them, and therefore unable to provide the level of service Doreen believed befitted our residential, and commercial buildings and industries.
Thus, Idroplast started the process of establishing their manufacturing plant; setting up the machinery and moulds needed and started manufacturing polyethylene water tanks in Malta in 2008.
“Idroplast have adapted their product ranges to suit the property and development industries’ changing needs”
The company manufactures water storage tanks at a rotational moulding process in 20 various shapes and sizes starting from 300 up to 5000 litres, including rectangular tanks, agricultural and industrial tanks, septic tanks, portable water tanks, underground water tanks, rainwater harvesting tanks, bowser type water tank, round water tanks, and the manufacture of molds built to spec, for the supply of unique projects for an individual multi-national customer, said Cutrona.
is exclusively from Germany and has 22,000 stitches per m2.
Idroplast has adapted their product ranges to suit the property and development industries’ changing needs. An apt example of this is their wide range of water tanks that cater for different circumstances; a fast-moving product of theirs is the horizontal water tank, designed to fit in contained external spaces without compromising quality, storage capacity or operational efficiency. “Some clients might not have enough space for a traditional water tank and therefore we cater for that,” Doreen explained.
“All products are manufactured from top quality monofilament
and 3.5% UV treated”
Idroplast also caters for the agricultural sector, where “instead of a well, a farmer can opt to have a water tank – which is maintenance free, hygienic with no bacteria and no algae issues predominant in standard wells,” said Cutrona.
Idroplast’s main three main client bases are contractors, households, and hardware stores which resell their products. The company can supply them within two days, with a free delivery included with each confirmed order. “For the production of traffic barriers and cones, part of the material used is recycled material as we strongly believe in a circular economy – ‘reuse, remanufacture, recycle’ must supersede ‘take, make, waste’ and I reckon that we’re doing our fair share in this regard,” she continued.
Doreen said that the company is always looking for new ways to improve and enhance the product portfolio in manners which complements what the company does and one of the key elements for the future is to increase recycling within the company. In fact, Doreen is a waste broker approved by the Environment & Resources Authority and has led the company to buy industrial waste, to convert it into recycled raw material; making it available to international markets.
Her main goal, she said, is to expand the business, and to diversify the company, as has been done in previous years. The company, a medium-sized firm that caters for local and international markets in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and other countries also produces and supplies other quality products including artificial turf and agricultural netting. Artificial turf is also being utilised as green walls, she explained, “since it’s maintenance free, and there is no need of watering or to fill with soil and pesticide.” Doreen adds that indeed, the only maintenance needed is typically to power wash roughly every 6 months. She also remarked on the quality of the artificial turf, which the company imports on an exclusive arrangement from Germany. “Every square metre carries around 22,000 stitches, is 30mm high and has a 95% natural look,” she proudly explained.
Idroplast has also recently diversified into the manufacturing of HDPE monofilament nets, or in layman terms, agricultural netting.
All products are manufactured from top quality monofilament and 3.5% UV treated, and the netting is custom sized according to the needs of each client. The material is guaranteed for around 7 years and is mainly used by the farmer to protect their crops from birds and small insects.
The company also produces shading netting and netting for the collection of olives. Idroplast water tanks are UV treated and built to last, with a 15 year guarantee.
Doreen started the business from the ground up together with her husband, to whom she is thankful for having supported her travels and many commitments outside home. They managed to grow their business from a micro enterprise to an SME employing employs 16 workers who Doreen calls “my extended family”. She is a mother of four and proudly says that they are her pride and joy. They all have their roles within the company. Christian is a polymer engineer, Alessio is the Project Manager, Federica is the Office Manager and Luca is set to join their ranks once his studies are completed.
“It is my duty as an employer and woman leader to be a role model to our people,” she firmly stated. Doreen provides work opportunities among her workforce to autistic youths, focusing on their capability to integrate at the work place. In so doing, she helps kick start their work life, and mentors their progress along the way.
Idroplast’s future lies with yet further market consolidation of their current product base, intelligent expansion of their product portfolio, and farther internationalisation into, and beyond their current reach of Algeria, Israel and Italy.
It is evident that Idroplast has managed so affably to reach this enviable level of market penetration through a familial dedication to hard work, a focus on utilising quality and environmentally conscious materials, a passion for innovation, and the carrying of a product portfolio which is sufficiently flexible to constantly pay tribute to an ever-evolving market.
Comment