A fascination with numbers has always been somewhat of an obsession with me. I never fail to be intrigued by some kind of relationship, which can nearly always be divided between any set of numbers, whether these are car numbes, dates or values. The number 2001 is followed by 2 zeros and then by 1 one - but that's a bit strained.

The redeeming factor comes when one becomes aware that the year 2001 is a very significant year for the Vassallo Builders Group, whereupon the numbers 55 and 20 become to me synonymous with 2001. Let me explain.

The Vassallo Builders Group is this year proudly clebrating 55 years of its uninterrupted involvement with the construction industry. Back in 1946, in the ruins left over by World War II, the late Piju Vassallo had the foresight to join his cousin and start taking on reconstruction works of damaged buildings, and soon became involving himself in all kinds of civil works. Since then the Vassallo family has never looked back, and today the Vassallo Builders Group can rightly claim to be one of the largest and most organized and diversified of the civil contractors on the island. At the age of 55, while any person would normally be looking towards winding down his involvement, Vassallo Builders on the contrary have been moving regularly from one peak of activity to another. The investment of Vassallo Builders in other fields, particularly the leisure industry, homes for the elderly and property development, has this year attained new records, with the coming years promising to be more involving.

Naturally such activities generate significant opportunities for employment, and today the number of employees whose job stems from a direct or indirect investment which the Group has is around, certainly qualifying as a major player in the labour market. These figures are bound to increase further as a number of major projects materialize.

This is where the number 20 comes in, before you ask! This year also represent 20 years since the setting up of the subsidiary Building Consultancy Servicies Limited. Established in June 1981 as a service provider to the parent company, providing quantity surveying and site supervision, BCS, as it is known, has gradually evolved into a multi-discipinary firm capable of handling all services, technical or professional, connected to developments and construction. It has over the years been successfully involved in the design of various hotels, old people's homes and large developments, as well as many medium sized developments and refurbishments. Conscious of the restricted local market, BCS is constantly looking for opportunities to diversify into other related fields.

The opportunity of this column is taken for both Vassallo Builders Group and for BCS Ltd. to thank their many clients and associated companies for their unfailing trust, while confirming their commitment to always offer the best services to their clients. This way the number 2001 will be another positive milestone for the Group.


Edgar A. Rossignaud B.Arch., A.& C.E.

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