an interview with Dione Zahra; Managing Director, Solergia
Solergia specialises in four main core competencies, being: in-house turn-key contract management, plastering, gypsum works and tile laying. They also offer all the services related to the construction industry under one roof.
Dione Zahra is already a veteran in this industry at just thirty four. He has been at the helm of Solergia since its foundation in 2011.
Dione has vast experience when it comes to handling the bureaucracy and intricacies which are part and parcel of the construction sector, particularly more so now that Malta has tightened its ship in the sector. He has worked extensively both as a freelancer for a number of companies in the construction services, including finishes, as well as in the public sector for Malta’s euro changeover.
He spoke about the setting up of Solergia, remembering how he was managing a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) company for a friend. The company needed an ally in finishing works in order to function fully and maintain its steady growth. Dione hence decided to open his finishing business, working in line with the other businesses.
“At that time there was a demand for one company to handle around 80% of the finishings of a construction project, from electrical to plumbing, plastering and tiling. As I saw this gap in the market, I decided to open shop with Solergia,” said Zahra.
“Solergia: a one stop shop in relation to finishings, offering construction to finishings services, whilst also offering services for specific trades”
He also described his company as a one stop shop in relation to finishings, offering services from construction up to finishings, whilst also offering services for specific trades. In fact, he mentioned how, after the need for expanding the company, and as the other company moved on to other premises, he also added a structures workshop to directly handle the creation, customisation and internal assembly of elements including general welding, railings and skylines, thus employing a further four people.
Asked about the company’s key competitive advantages, he mentioned that Solergia’s prime differentiating factor could well be that its employees are skilled and experienced and were actually employed by the company, not outsourced.
Zahra also spoke about the uncommon aspect in Malta of finding different professionals employed under one organisational roof. He said how other companies usually sub-contract with the client finding it difficult to co-ordinate, with the result being less perfect than expected. “Solergia has gained its enviable market share thanks to its employees. We are all very professional, knowing the work requirements. The company has amalgamated the vital trades with each other, such as plastering and painting, plumbing and tiling. All is done by one company – Solergia. With different companies, the client would find it difficult to get the best result,” he added.
“our employees are split into teams, with a leader to every team, which never work alone”
Dione has managed to remain the prime overseer of all projects. “I am more often than not working on our sites, even though our employees are split into teams, with a leader to every team, who never works alone,” he explained.
Through team practice, Zahra believes that the client feels safeguarded, as there is a constant point of reference. He also mentioned how he intervenes if any issues arise, though adding that because most of the employees have been working with the company for the past five to eight years, sites are predominantly far less problematic than the norm.
Solergia employs a total of 30 people, including Zahra himself as the Managing Director. Zahra also mentioned the design service, which is also offered to the clients.
Solergia employs people according to the recommendation of its own employees. Dione added that he has always been satisfied with the recommendations, saying that his employees indeed feel that the organisation is their second home, and therefore feel responsible towards it.
As certain sites required more manpower than others, Solergia’s divisions are segmented into separate teams. “Solergia’s plastering division is split into three teams.
This structure is in place so that we have the facility to split the teams according to the needs of each specific job,” he said.
“the company chooses the best quality material, even if it means paying that extra bit”
The other teams include a tile-laying service team, split into five groups and foreseen by Zahra himself, because of the detail needed in the profession; a gypsum works team; and another team taking care of the wood and metal structure workshop, including measuring and installation.
Intrigued to understand the different skill set, we also asked Zahra what he thinks is the scarcest skill, to which he replied with a definite ‘tile-laying’. “Tile-laying is the most difficult trade. There are a lot of tile-layers in Malta, but the quality will vary. To be of a certain level, tile layers need to be very patient. The profession is also very tiring: tools are limited, they need to work on the floor in an uncomfortable position, outside or inside, to the nearest 1mm, and to the highest level of perfection possible. It is subject to a lot of mistakes, if the tile-layer does not foresee his next steps.”
“Solergia buys all its materials from a number of companies, and the company chooses the best quality material, even if it means paying that extra bit,” he said, whilst adding that all the new material is tested before use.
Solergia has worked on a number of projects ranging from large projects such as schools around Malta and Gozo, offices and public ministries, showrooms as well as restaurants and 5-star hotels, but close to Zahra’s heart remain the private properties, including villas, apartments and townhouses amongst others.
“The smaller private projects and older homes are what give us the most satisfaction – meeting the owner and client in the street and feeling like he met his best friend – it’s the best feeling ever. I sometimes meet clients who even after several years are still happy with our services. Who wouldn’t take that as a compliment?” he added.
“I sometimes meet clients who even after several years are still happy with our services. Who wouldn’t take that as a compliment?”
As Solergia moves on to its 11th year, Zahra defined further investment and enhancing operations as the next step in the company’s future. Dione is passionate about keeping a happy and loyal experienced work force, finding it essential that the quality of the service remains on top, and that Solergia’s efficiency in turnaround time per project, within budget, is constantly maintained.
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