Smart Effects Ltd has been providing buildings and homes in Malta with
heating and cooling solutions for several years now. Defining the company
as “one of the most affordable and best in quality Mechanical and Electrical
Services,” its Managing Director Mr Adrian Fenech spoke to Design & Build
about the aims of the company, its history and why he is confident that it is
the best option for clients seeking peace of mind.
“ As Smart Effects, we think that in order to be successful, we have to give our customers an exceptional service with unbeatable prices in order to be better than our competitors,” said Mr Fenech.
And Mr Fenech knows something of the competition, having started out his career in installations. In 2014 the first seeds of the company were sown when he started out on his own as a self-employed installer.
His work ethic and vision were well received by his clients to the extent that he soon had to employ help to be able to service the demands which were flowing in. From a one-man band, the company grew quickly.
Their maintenance agreements also include their exclusive ‘Coil Defender’ treatments to screen against COVID-19, mould and other bacteria
“Today we are 45 employees and we also have sub-contract – selectively – during the peak season,” smiled Mr Fenech with obvious and justified satisfaction. His employees work mainly on installations and the company specialises on maintenance agreements to ensure that the quality and efficiency of the product is retained to the smart standards promised by the company.
Smart Effects numbers some very big guns among its client list: “St Vincent de Paule Long-Term Care Facility, the Law Courts, Gozo General Hospital, hotels…these are among our daily to-do list,” said Mr Fenech. Their maintenance agreements also include their exclusive ‘Coil Defender’ treatments to screen against COVID-19, mould and other bacteria.
I reckon to have always been quite ambitious. In 2017, although we were a tiny nucleus, we stuck our neck out and went for a couple of good tenders. We won them and the rest, as they say is history,” smiled Mr Fenech. Pulling up his socks, Mr Fenech employed the staff necessary to see that the clients being serviced in the tenders were satisfied. “Word of mouth spread,” he said, “and we grew fast and exponentially.”
WORKING HIS WAY UP
With such a hefty daily job sheet, Mr Fenech said that while he tries to keep the subcontracting to a minimum, the persons who are chosen as subcontractors are meticulously screened. So, asked Design & Build, why not employ them as part of the workforce? “The nature of the job market is changing and you will not easily find good people who are seeking employment however sub-contracting arrangements are more convenient for both parties,” observed Mr Fenech.
“Word of mouth spread, and we grew fast and exponentially”
He is one who can make this sort of assessment with ease since, while today he is an employer, he started small, climbing from the ranks and learning the technical aspects of the trade one step at a time. “I started off as an employed apprentice. Over the years and in various companies, I worked my way up. My last posting before I struck out on my own was as a project manager at one of Malta’s leading climate control companies,” recalled Mr Fenech. In the midst of this career development, Adrian Fenech realised that the practical expertise needed the theoretical backing and he started a technical degree course at MCAST.
EXPANSION
And it does not stop there. “This year we acquired the local company ‘TEKNO’ which has been established for the past 25 years. This has not only increased our pay roll and client base but it has also brought in new products and enhanced our reputation with its own,” said Adrian Fenech. Located centrally at the newly acquired premises on the Birkirkara by-pass, Mr Fenech looks optimistically at the future.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
In 2014 he struck out on his own with three people and in 2017, he was doing well enough to start the company which now employs over 40 staff members. The Climate Control brands represented by Smart Effects Ltd come direct from sources which cuts out the middleman’s mark up, rendering the product more competitive. Today, Smart Effects Ltd represents Alpicair and AUX, both companies being foremost in their field of air conditioning systems. “However, these are not the only two companies we represent. We have Thermocold and Kaysun for chillers and Blauberg for ventilation systems,” said Adrian Fenech. He stressed that all products represented by Smart Effects Ltd are Eurovent certified, including AUX ,which is a product from China. In this way, the quality control of the product is automatically guaranteed.
Moreover, with AUX, said Mr Fenech, the relationship is directly with the manufacturer and this allows Smart Effects Ltd to be able to customize the AC units to the customers’ specifications.
all products represented by Smart Effects Ltd are Eurovent certified… In this way, the quality control of the product is automatically guaranteed
Meanwhile, Smart Effects Ltd is also in the process of adjusting to changing technologies. Mr Fenech pointed out that as recently as a month ago, the gas used in certain systems was changed to remove the damage this had been doing to the Ozone layer. This will be phased out by 2025 and the suppliers keep companies like the one belonging to Mr Fenech updated and trained in the innovations.
L’OCCHIO DELL’PADRONE
Mr Fenech said that Smart Effects Ltd strives to keep its stock well replenished, even if in the summer months this takes a lot of work due to increased demand. However, as Mr Fenech pointed out, the demand is pretty level throughout the year since there is a variation between the installation of ACs and that of UnderFloor Heating. “We manage to keep our stocks well supplied and we emphasise a great deal on our after-sales service. This is a favourite area of mine, an area in which spent many of my formative years. I believe that good aftersales service will help the company prosper
“We manage to keep our stocks well supplied and we emphasise a great deal on our after-sales service”
Without good aftersales service you will run aground here in this market,” said Mr Fenech. And with over 800 sqm of storage space, Smart Effects Ltd has no need to worry about space for stock.
Another differentiating factor, said Mr Fenech is that the employees are all qualified in their work. If they are not, the company invests in training and mentorship. While there are managers who take care of the daily needs of the employees and the company, Mr Fenech said that he tends to keep a sharp look-out particularly on new staff entrants to make sure that they are fitting into the company ethos. In truth, the Italian saying ‘L’occhio dell’padrone ingrassa il cavallo’ (‘the owner’s gaze fattens the horse’) is well captured by Mr Fenech’s attitude to his employees.
WORD OF MOUTH
Knowing the market as he does, Mr Fenech has always strived to ensure that all their clients are well satisfied, even after the sale and installation is completed.
“We do the vast majority of our own installations ourselves; an uncommon, positive anomaly within this industry”
This investment in time and staff has been vital in Smart Effects Ltd’s garnering of its rock solid reputation. Mr Fenech keeps direct contact with his clients, and this corroborates their reassurance that the company is always there for their needs. He added that he has always done his utmost to be present, and integral; thus contributing his expertise; to any problem-solving their clients may require assistance with.
VENTILATION AND HEAT RECOVERY
One must say that older houses were much better ventilated than the ones being built today. Mechanical ventilation has had to step in where constructed ventilation was lacking. This is the sort of ventilation system which Smart Effects Ltd provides. He pointed out that where windows do not open, ventilation systems are a legal requirement.
This investment in time and staff has been vital in Smart Effects Ltd’s garnering of its rock solid reputation. Mr Fenech keeps direct contact with his clients, and this corroborates their reassurance that the company is always there for their needs. He added that he has always done his utmost to be present, and integral; thus contributing his expertise; to any problem-solving their clients may require assistance with.
VENTILATION AND HEAT RECOVERY
One must say that older houses were much better ventilated than the ones being built today. Mechanical ventilation has had to step in where constructed ventilation was lacking. This is the sort of ventilation system which Smart Effects Ltd provides. He pointed out that where windows do not open, ventilation systems are a legal requirement.
“Our ventilation systems not only keep the air in our complex buildings fresh. They significantly reduce the cost of heating and cooling”
“Our ventilation systems not only keep the air in our complex buildings fresh. They significantly reduce the cost of heating and cooling. Our Heat Recovery Units utilise lower consumption of energy and fuel compared to other cooling/heating systems, making them extremely economical to run.”
Choosing the right heat recovery unit depends on various factors such as the physical structure and constraints of the recipient building, its air flow capacity and energy recovery efficiency. “Our team of dedicated personnel work on ducting and installation, and Blauberg supplies the ventilation systems which circulate the air in buildings,” Mr Fenech proudly explained.
“Our team of dedicated personnel work on ducting and installation, and Blauberg supplies the ventilation systems which change the air in buildings”
In conclusion, Mr Fenech said that in a society where time is at a premium, he created a company which provides a ‘one-stop shop’ solution for simple and complex, and domestic and commercial heating, cooling, ventilation and heat recovery systems. Mr Fenech is looking forward to Smart Effect’s embedding its market position of being one of the most competitive Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning contractor in Malta. And with his drive and quality control emphasis, there is little doubt that this company will achieve its goal.
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