Experience Our 100 Years
A&Co Is Born
Company founder Edoardo Pellegrini Petit established Attard & Co in 1921. The partnership was named after Edoardo`s wife, whose maiden surname was Attard. From day one, the organisation dealt with diversified trades. Operating from their first office in Strada Federico, Valletta, Attard & Co. were in the business of insurance, photography, Dutch chocolates, gin and matches.
1921
Treaty of Berlin – US & Germany sign treaty ending WW1 for the US
Albert Einstein awarded Nobel prize in physics
Amelia Earhart buys her first plane
Winston Churchill signs the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Official Representatives of Foto Prodotti
Foto Prodotti Gevaert contacts Edoardo Pellegrini Petit to become the official representatives of Fotoprodotti Gevaert here in Malta. This marked the year that Attard & Co entered the ‘photo products’ line of business. Imports in the early days consisted of photographic films, x-ray films, and photographic paper. Foto Prodotti Gevaert eventually became known as Agfa–Geveart after the merger with German company AGFA AG.
1924
Mahatma Ghandi is released from imprisonment
The birth year of George H.W. Bush, who would become the 41st president of the United States
The Sunday Express publishes its first British crossword puzzle.
Four planes leave Seattle on the first successful around-the-world flight
Attard & Co is appointed agent for Union Assurance, later to be known as Commercial Union Assurance.
1924
Authorised Agents
Attard & Co becomes the authorised agent of Talens & Zoon, a leading supplier of artists’ materials based in Holland.
January 1924
January 21: Russian Revolutionary and Premier leader Vladimir Lenin dies of a stroke at the age of 53
January 25: The first Winter Olympic Games open in Chamonix, France.
January 29: Carl Taylor patents an ice cream cone rolling machine.
Importation and Distribution of Photo Products
Foto Prodotti Gevaert contacts Edoardo Pellegrini Petit to become the official representatives of Fotoprodotti Gevaert here in Malta. This marked the year that Attard & Co entered the ‘photo products’ line of business. Imports in the early days consisted of photographic films, x-ray films and photographic paper. Foto Prodotti Gevaert eventually became known as Agfa–Geveart after the merger with German company AGFA AG.
1928
Frida Kahlo Joins the Mexican Communist Party
Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic
Malta becomes a British dominion. The island gains independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
Mickey Mouse appears in 'Steamboat Willie'. It is the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released, as well as the first sound film.
Edoardo Pellegrini Petit meets with Lieven Gevaert, the founder of the renowned photo firm, at the World Exhibition in Brussels.
1932
Birth of Johnny Cash, American country singer (d. 2003).
BBC World Service begins broadcasting as the BBC Empire Service.
Adolf Hitler runs for president of Germany
Joseph Pellegrini Petit, second-born son of Edoardo commences his business career and starts administering company affairs following founder Edoardo’s demise at the age of 63. Though his company was still young, the company had grown exponentially by 1945 under the prodigious direction of Edoardo.
1945
The United Nations is founded.
Elvis Presley has his first public performance
Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank dies in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, following an outbreak of typhus in the prison
The Second World War Holocaust: The Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps are liberated by the 322nd Rifle Division of the Red (Soviet Union) Army.
1952 is a significant year in the organisation’s history as it marks the occasion the company acquired offices in the country’s capital, Valletta. In post-war Malta, business was already booming and by 1952 Attard & Co was on a progressive growth path. Valletta was the main business hub at the time and under new direction, Attard & Co moved to a new and more spacious office closer to the city gate.
1952
Elizabeth II is proclaimed Queen of the United Kingdom at St. James’s Palace.
Ann Davison becomes the first woman to single-handedly sail the Atlantic Ocean.
"The Diary of Anne Frank” is published.
Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery play 'The Mousetrap' opens at the Ambassadors Theatre in London. It is now the longest continuously running production of a play in history.
The first-ever photocopier to reach Maltese shores bore the Lumoprint marque. Imported by Attard’s sister firm G.D. Laferla, the technology prevalent at the time had been diffusion transfer. Gevaert “Copyrapid” sensitised papers came into widespread use in offices.
1954
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is formed in Basel, Switzerland.
The first Burger King fast-food restaurant opens in Miami, Florida.
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is published
Ernest Hemingway is awarded Nobel prize for literature
Attard & Co is appointed agents for yet another leading brand, Wild Heerbrugg Ltd., of Switzerland, later to become Leica. Post-war Malta was developing fast, new buildings were developing on the skyline and the demand for architects and draughtsmen`s materials was on the rise. Towards the end of the year, Attard & Co. further diversifies its portfolio further and enters the surveying, microscopy, and precision instruments line for the first time as agents for Wild Heerbrugg Ltd., of Switzerland.
December 1956
Elvis Presley enters the U.S. music charts for the first time, with 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
Rose Heilbron becomes Britain’s first female judge.
The Hard Disk Drive is invented by an IBM team led by Reynold B. Johnson.
The merger between the two giant photo firms Agfa and Gevaert is announced. Attard & Co. are appointed sole agents for all products supplied by Gevaert Photo-Producten N.V. (est 1894), Mortsel, Belgium as well as of Agfa AG (est 1867) Leverkusen and Munich, Germany.
1964
The island of Malta obtains independence from the United Kingdom.
The House of Commons votes to abolish the death penalty for murder in Britain.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.
The Beatles release A Hard Day’s Night
Agfacolor Laboratory is earmarked as one of two early colour film processing laboratories to start operations in Malta.
1965
Winston Churchill dies
Malcolm X is assassinated
'The Sound of Music' is released
J.K Rowling is born
Another of Edoardo’s sons, George Pellegrini Petit joins the firm in a new administrative capacity. Next in line to his brother Joseph, George joins Attard & Co to support the growing family business.
1966
'Star Trek' is shown on television for the first time.
Apollo 2 & Apollo 3 missions are organised
As the colour film processing business continued to boom, Agfacolor Laboratory moves premises to Granaries Street, Floriana. The decision to move was based on the fact that Attard & Co had purchased new, state of the art equipment which required larger premises.
1969
Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper, The News of the World.
The Beatles give their last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records.
Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the Moon.
1971 – 1975 : Minolta GmbH appoints Attard and Co Ltd as their official agents in Malta.
1971
The United Kingdom gives up its military bases in Malta.
‘Walt Disney World’ opens in Florida.
Mount Etna erupts in Sicily, threatening several small villages on the eastern side of the volcano.
This year marked yet another strategic turn for the company. Cesare Fiorucci S.p.A., the leading Italian label for fine processed meats, and later, cheeses, accepts Attard & Co. to represent its interest in Malta on an exclusive basis. This representation allowed the company to enter the foodstuffs line of business, further diversifying its product portfolio. That same year, the youngest two Pellegrini Petit brothers, Walter and Tonio, met with Signor D`Antona, who later became their commission agent after introducing them to Cesare Fiorucci.
1976
The first commercial Concorde flight takes off.
The Queen sends the first royal e-mail.
Agatha Christie dies.
Compugraphic Corporation, Wilmington, U.S.A. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agfa-Gevaert. Attard & Co. are appointed sole agents for the world’s leading brand of phototypesetters (later to become imagesetters) and takes the plunge into the world of electronic prepress technologies in the field of Graphics.
December 1983
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister since 1979, wins the 1983 general election in a landslide victory
Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space, on the Space Shuttle ‘Challenger’
Michael Jackson’s music video for 'Thriller' is broadcast for the first time.
Attard & Co Ltd, the company as we know it today is established. The co-owners and partners of Attard & Co. set up a limited liability company by the new name of Attard & Co. Ltd.
December 1988
Women are allowed to study at Magdalene College, Cambridge, for the first time.
After more than eight years of fighting in the Soviet war, the Red Army begins to withdraw from Afghanistan.
There is the first observance of Worlds Aids Day
Towards the end of the year, Italian coffee maker Saquella appoints Attard & Co to distribute its coffee in the local market as sole agents. The introduction of this leading brand was part of the natural progression of the foodstuffs line.
November 1991
A tropical cyclone hits Bangladesh, killing an estimated 138,000 people.
Croatia and Slovenia declare their independence from Yugoslavia.
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is released in the United States.
One month after Freddie Mercury’s death, Queen re-release 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
Company Administration is entrusted to family members belonging to the third generation. Edward Martin is designated company Managing Director.
1992
The European Union is founded following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty.
The English FA Premier League is officially formed.
Disneyland Paris officially opens under the name “EuroDisney”.
In March 1994, Agfa presents Attard & Co`s Graphic Division with the International trophy, a bronze cantering horse, for outstanding performance in introducing Accuset and electronic prepress systems here in Malta. This trophy of recognition bestows particular significance as a cantering horse is a champion, a symbol of strength, prestige, and elegance.
March 1994
Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first Black president.
Brazil wins the 1994 FIFA World Cup
The Industrial business line is launched amid cautious deliberation. Diversification into yet another line of business, this arm of the company provided products and services for the support of the construction industry The overseas markets branch of Attard & Co. (Industrial) Ltd., would later emanate with the setting up of the first base on foreign soil in Tripoli, Libya. Today the group boasts a number of different and diverse subsidiary operations and looks towards extending its portfolio as industries evolve and advance.
September 1994
Michael Schumacher wins his first Formula One World Championship.
The first episode of 'Friends' is aired
Attard & Co Industrial establish the Supplier Managed Inventory (SMI) Division offering 3rd party logistics to Malta’s only microelectronics manufacturer. This was a successful entrance into the services sector and a business that has shown us to be flexible, dedicated, and constant in the quality of our service.
1996
Mother Teresa receives honorary U.S. citizenship.
In southwest Wales, the oil tanker ‘Sea Empress’ runs aground, spilling 73,000 tonnes of crude oil that kills many birds.
Inspired by Agfa’s International trophy award of 1994, Attard Group adopts the cantering horse as its corporate logo on January 31st. During the same year, two awards for excellence are presented to Attard & Co`s Scientific Division by GBC as well as The Leica Microscopy Group respectively for excelling in sales of equipment in 1994.
January 1996
Bill Clinton is re-elected as president
Porsche Boxter, Ford Ka are first produced
The Photo Division within Attard & Co. Ltd. obtains sole agency representation for Olympus Optical Co. (UK) Ltd. cameras.
April 1996
Christopher Busuttil Delbridge joins the Attard & Co Industrial family under the MSES Division
1999
The first version of ‘MSN Messenger’ is released by Microsoft.
The world population reaches six billion, as the United Nations declare the six billionth person is born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Boris Yeltsin resigns as President of Russia, leaving Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as the acting president.
Cathy O’Dowd, a South African mountaineer, becomes the first woman to summit Mount Everest from both the north and south sides.
Attard & Co. Industrial is appointed exclusive agent for Buffa Srl of Sicily. A leading manufacturer for external and internal finishes, waterproofing, paints and plasters.
2000
Microsoft releases Windows 2000.
On February 29th 2000, Attard & Co Foodstuffs becomes the third business group to be spun off as a separate entity. Attard & Co. Ltd. remains the parent company and now holds vested interests in 3 subsidiaries: Attard & Co. (Photolabs) Ltd., Attard & Co. (Industrial) Ltd. and Attard & Co. (Foodstuffs) Ltd. Yet a fourth subsidiary would be formed in 2002.
2000
Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia.
Waters Inc. and Millipore Inc. are among the first big brands awarding business partner status to Evolve, setting the scene for high-quality brands and service.
2001
George W. Bush succeeds Bill Clinton, becoming the 43rd President of the United States.
The September 11 Terrorist atacks take the life of 2,977 people
In June 2001 the Foodstuffs Business Group begins to trade in wines and spirits as it widens its brand and product portfolios by obtaining jurisdiction over a variety of fine wine labels and liquors such as Michele Chiarlo, Sella & Mosca, Guigal, Vigna San Pedro, Simonsig and Peter Lehmann.
2001
The United States invades Afghanistan
Sherpa Temba Tsheri becomes the youngest person to conquer Mount Everest, at the age of just 16-years-old.
On December 28th 2001 Attard & Co. Ltd. vacates its Valletta offices in South Street after 50 years of corporate activity and inaugurates its new premises at Canter House, Marsa, which becomes its official seat. By 2001 Attard & Co. Ltd. employed a total of 100 persons. The decision was made to move to a much larger premises in Marsa, an ideal location on the main arterial roads between the airport and Valletta. Once again inspired by the recognition trophy of the Cantering Horse, the new premises was given the name Canter House, later to be known as Canter Business Centre.
December 2001
‘Ocean's Eleven’ directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts premieres in Westwood, California
Management responds to new perils in Graphics and forms a new enterprise Attard & Co. (ImageExcel) Ltd. for the purpose of offering Computer-to-Plate services to printing establishments.
2002
The deaths of Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother are announced
The final piece of debris from The World Trade Centre is removed from Ground Zero.
Apple Introduces Complete Redesign of iMac
Attard & Co. Ltd. unveils its first presence on the World Wide Web
2003
U.S. forces seize control of Baghdad, ending the regime of Saddam Hussein.
The United Kingdom records its highest ever temperature; 38.5°C (101.3°F) at Brogdale near Faversham in Kent
The Concorde makes its last commercial flight
Apple's iTunes Music Store opens, selling 1 million songs in its first week.
World Express Logistics Ltd. was established to offer freight and logistics services for worldwide destinations.
February 2004
Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room
The United States lifts a ban on travel to Libya, ending travel restrictions to the nation that had lasted for 23 years
New Chairman
Michael Scerri CPAA appointed as the new Chairman for the Attard & Co Group
July 2004
Maria Sharapova becomes first Russian player to win Wimbledon, beating defending champion Serena Williams
Martha Stewart is sentenced to five months in prison plus five months in home confinement for lying to federal investigators
IIM Business Consultants Ltd was established to offer a range of services which would facilitate business ventures in Malta, the Mediterranean basin and North Africa.
April 2005
The Internet site ‘YouTube’ goes online
Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union
New Zealand's first civil union takes place
Evolve Ltd. is established to meet the requirements of laboratory-dependent organisations through innovative and well-adapted products and services. The organisation is today one of the local leaders in laboratory set ups and high tech equipment sourcing.
June 2006
Montenegro declares independence after a referendum held on 21st May
North Korea claims to have conducted its first-ever nuclear test
Peugeot produces their last car at the Ryton Plant, signalling the end of mass car production in a city that was once a major centre of the British motor industry; Coventry.
On the 2nd June 2006 Attard & Co. Imaging is established in order to focus on the provision of specialised imaging services to the printing industry in Malta.
June 2006
In 2006, Facebook opened up its social network to the world.
Google buys YouTube for $1.65 billion
The one billionth song was purchased from iTunes
The first ever tweet was published
T4B Services Ltd. was established in order to offer services in the building finishing industry. The company focuses on successfully completing buildings past the construction stage while adding value to a property.
2008
Barack Obama is elected the 44th President of the United States
NASA’s “Phoenix” spacecraft becomes the first to land on the northern polar region of Mars
Cyprus and Malta adopt the Euro
Kosovo declaration of independence from Serbia
The company acquires the Mriehel land – 3800sqm land. The land was bought as an investment property.
March 2009
At least ten people are killed and 25 injured during a suicide attack in Matara, Sri Lanka
Anchor Maritime services was set up to offer ship and liner agency services.
January 2010
The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 829.8 m (2,722 ft), officially opens in Dubai
Earthquake devastates Haiti, killing approximately 160,000
On October 15th 2010, Prosecure was set up as a subsidiary company to Attard & Co Industrial in order to provide specialised solutions for the Defence, Security and Forensic industries.
October 2010
UK economy comes out of recession
David Cameron becomes UK prime minister
Evolve restructured for growth into three departments: Medical & Diagnostics Department, Scientific Department and Technical Services Department.
2011
A series of massive earthquakes struck north-east Japan, unleashing a 10-metre tsunami that swept buildings, vehicles, crops and debris across swaths of farmland
VAST Services was launched as a division of Attard & Co Industrial to offer value-added sales and technology services to the European market on behalf of Asian partners.
2011
Osama Bin Laden killed in a secret operation
The new Attard and Co web portal is launched to strengthen the online portfolio of Attard & Co Ltd. as a Group.
January 2011
Launch of DC Universe Online - a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the DC Universe.
New Chairman
Luciano Mule Stagno appointed as the new Chairman for the Attard & Co Group
October 2013
Prince William and his wife Catherine welcomed their first son, Price George
Rebranding of IIM Business Consultants Ltd which is now known as Firstbridge Services Ltd. It welcomes on board Mr Dean Micallef as a Managing Director of the company. Firstbridge offers financial corporate support through tailor-made solutions, serving as a bridge between our clients’ financial requirements and goals.
2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Disappears.
Dean Micallef appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer for the Attard & Co Group
January 2014
Apple caused a buzz with the release of iOS8
Evolve Ltd design and build of the largest independent pharmaceutical testing lab in Europe completed successfully. Evolve invests heavily in its infrastructure. ISO:9001 Quality Management System awarded to Evolve Ltd – the first in this sector in Malta. SalesForce becomes an integral part of Evolve’s operations.
2015
Tesla rolled out its semi-autonomous Autopiliot system
Lotusgreen Cleaning Solutions Ltd was established under the Food group offering the sale and distribution of cleaning products.
May 2015
Major cable companies and networks launched streaming-only plans.
The Charlie Hebdo and The Paris attacks took place
Together with the world’s largest supplier of genetic testing equipment, Illumina Inc, Evolve installs Malta’s first Next-Generation Sequencing machine ushering in a new era of Molecular Biology for the benefit of clinicians and patients
2016
The United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in a move nicknamed “Brexit.”
Donald Trump Elected 45th President of the United States
World Express Logistics undergoes re-branding exercise
January 2016
The Pulse nightclub shooting takes place in Orlando, Florida
New Chairman
Kenneth Farrugia appointed as the new Chairman for the Attard & Co Group
September 2016
The rise of Facebook Live
Actress Angelina Jolie files for divorce from fellow actor Brad Pitt
Firstbridge Services Ltd acquires a Corporate Services Provider Licence
2017
The rise of cryptocurrency
Manchester terrorist attack at Ariana Grande concert
Firstbridge Services Ltd becomes certified licenced accountancy firm;
2017
North Korea launches intercontinental missile
Evolve continues its Internationalisation efforts in sub-Saharan Africa as they commence in earnest, following numerous successful International projects in other various geographies.
2017
US President Trump issues strict travel bands
The acquisition of International Merchants Ltd under the Food group
July 2017
The viral #MeToo trend against sexual abuse takes of social media platforms
The Group launch a BI Platform in order to help facilitate the process of Financial reporting
2018
Oval Brands Ltd introduce the electric scooter brand Miku Max
2018
The JV Energy Max Invest was established under the Industrial group focusing on the Solar PV Industry
January 2018
Sale of the Mriehel Property for Attard & Co for €3.2M
March 2018
The most destructive fire season in California takes place
Firstbridge becomes a member of BOKS – a global alliance of top professionals and experts
June 2018
Three lunar events coincided early in 2018 producing a rare “super blue blood moon” for the first time since 1866.
Go Electric Ltd is established, focusing on importation and sale/lease or distribution of electric scooters
September 2018
The Supreme Court of India strikes down a colonial-era law that criminalised homosexuality
Introduction of 4th Generation Shareholders
September 2018
Meghan Markle joins the British royal family
Evolve builds the first ever EU-GMP compliant Medical Cannabis facility in Malta.
2019
Fire breaks out at Notre-Dame
New warehouse in Qormi for T4B Services Ltd to manage buffer stock of building materials
April 2019
New Zealand tightens gun laws
Justine Marie Dingli becomes a Director on Attard & Co in succession of Edward Pellegrini Petit
November 2019
First all-woman spacewalk takes place
Attard & Co Food Ltd opened its new Gozo establishment
2020
COVID-19 changes the world forever
World Express Logistics Ltd take over the (SMI) Supplier Managed Inventory Department from T4B Services Ltd.
January 2020
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win a historic election
Antarctica saw its highest temperature on record
Go Electric opens a new flagship store in Zebbug offering its scooters for retail
May 2020
SpaceX begins a new era of spaceflight
George Floyd’s death sparks global protests
