‘We must make our industry more knowledge-based’ – Etienne Bartolo, B&B Group CEO

A mechanical engineer by profession, Inġ. Etienne Bartolo, CEO of the construction, manufacturing and development firms forming the B&B group, has set his sights on boosting quality by spurring inventiveness and distinctive processes. this, he insists, is crucial for the sector to modernise and “ameliorate”, serving residents, businesses and the wider community.

Innovation and sustainability are not just buzzwords for Inġ. Etienne Bartolo, CEO of B&B Group of Companies. This year, Etienne is determined to entrench these principles in the products, processes and services the construction and development company offers. “Essentially, we want to consolidate our presence as one of the leading manufacturers of building material in Malta, while also spearheading innovation in our market. I am confident that we are making significant progress towards achieving this goal,” he says.

Established in 1981 by Etienne’s father, Angelo  – who bought out his partners in 1994 – Etienne has spent the past 24 years growing the family firm. “I am actually a mechanical engineer by profession, and that’s where my passion lies. My years at university were some of the brightest of my life. In reality, I was considering continuing my studies to pursue an MPhil in Engineering, but in 2001, I realised that if I didn’t enter the business, its future would be in doubt,” he says.

Instead of embarking on a postgraduate degree, Etienne decided to apply his knowledge to transforming the business. “Over the years, I’ve introduced scientific approaches to the way we work. When I joined, there weren’t many real work opportunities for engineers, so leading our family business allowed me to develop my entrepreneurial skills while creating opportunities for others with the same drive and passion. I’m effectively doing what I love most – engineering – but applying my knowledge to the industry,” Etienne says.

Indeed, during its early years, B&B Construction was solely a construction services firm – hence the name. Over the years, however, it relocated from Żebbuġ to Magħtab and widened its scope. Today, the firm manufactures concrete, including

pre-stressed predalle and other pre-cast materials, together with electro-welded mesh, bricks and processed rebar.

“Up until September 2001, we hadn’t invested in manufacturing. Then, just a few months after I joined, we purchased these premises [in Magħtab], and began widening our scope. A decade ago, we acquired an iron and steel factory in Marsa, now known as Marsa Rebar Ltd. This strategic decision marked a pivotal moment in the company’s financial stability, resulting in a significant expansion of our business operations.”

The group also encompasses another company, namely Honey Homes Furniture (HHF), which focuses more on consumer-directed products. This company, overseen by Etienne’s brother Malcolm, supplies custom-made pieces for homes and offices.

This year, B&B will also be launching its new Aeternum line concrete – a durable material designed for the long term, which will help reduce waste. “This is our main focus; we have a team of technicians testing the concrete’s various iterations in the laboratory we’ve built for this purpose. We simulate the ageing of concrete and conduct the necessary tests to analyse its maturation and development over time.”

Notwithstanding the advances in the manufacturing arm of the firm, Etienne insists that the core business for B&B Construction remains servicing construction projects and, to a lesser extent, development. The company’s extensive experience – and Etienne’s own – has given the CEO an informed perspective on the state of the sector. “Regrettably, there is a common misconception in public discourse that contractors are accountable for the design of the structure under construction. In reality, construction companies serve the developer, who holds primary responsibility for decision-making. While there may be unscrupulous individuals within the industry, understanding its operational dynamics can drive improvements and ensure accountability is appropriately assigned,” he emphasises..

He also bemoans the lack of public investment in the sector. “The public’s and the authorities’ perception is that there’s so much money floating around in the industry that companies don’t need help to modernise or to upskill their workers. Businesses need support to evolve, not just to adapt to current circumstances, but to enhance their operations. A deeper understanding of the sector will help the Government incentivise players in the field to alter the way they build – pushing them to incorporate considerations such as ventilation, sound insulation, open areas, and garbage management in their designs. This will translate to buyers getting a better-quality investment and inconvenience to residents being minimised. Essentially, we must make our industry more knowledge-based, and the authorities must motivate this change.”

B&B Construction is trying to play its part in this respect, Etienne says. “This year, we have developments in the pipeline that we are approaching differently, more intelligently. We are carefully considering the functionality of the spaces we design, dedicating substantial time and resources to enhancing the liveability of our buildings: How much natural light is there? What is the air quality? How do the materials we use impact ergonomics? We want to offer a higher-level service to our clients – which, in reality, is how it should be across the board,” the CEO asserts.

Etienne’s leadership plays a vital part in establishing these decisions. “I see my role as one of mentorship – giving direction and creating teams. This requires a lot of persistence and patience, even though it may sound easy. In fact, most of my time is taken up by this effort. As CEO, I also have to investigate investment opportunities and ways to innovate, although this becomes much easier once you have a strong team backing you up,” he says, adding that, for years, he had no personal life as a result of the effort needed to steer the firm in the direction he envisioned.

“In reality, for 15 years of my career, my personal life was practically non-existent. My days were long, and the challenges

were large. However, as I gained experience and built my team, I began to delegate tasks. As a result, I have been

able to dedicate more time to myself, my family and my hobbies, such as swimming and following Formula One,” he shares with a smile. “Entering an established business can indeed be overwhelming, leading one to take on numerous

responsibilities. Establishing the necessary structure and accepting that one cannot manage everything independently

is a gradual process,” he reflects.

Looking ahead, he recognises the ongoing need for diligence and dedication. “Challenges will persist, such as the perennial shortage of human resources. The construction industry, to be candid, does not enjoy a favourable reputation, which makes talent acquisition more challenging. However, B&B Construction remains committed to revolutionising our

practices in the field. Our aim is to attract top-tier, highly skilled professionals and support their professional development.”

Etienne’s drive to solve problems, innovate and dream up new processes will, he hopes, be recognised by those with ambition. “This is what gives me the most fulfilment: Addressing technical issues and overcoming them; then finishing a project and creating something tangible – whether it’s cutting-edge and innovative materials or a new build of the highest standards. When you see your work materialise and your client compliments you on a job well done, it’s incredibly satisfying,” he concludes.   

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in Malta CEOs 2025 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders