‘The goal is not just putting together what exists, but attaining the next level of business’ – Joinwell & FXB Joint Executive Directors
Earlier this year, Joinwell and FXB, two of the most well-established and longest standing furniture companies in Malta, signed a historic merger agreement. As part of the agreement, Sebastian de Giorgio, Joinwell’s current CEO, and Joseph Borg, Managing Director of FXB, will join forces as Joint Executive Directors of the planned merged entities.
Starting our chat with a brief introduction to the pair, we learn that Sebastian’s background is in finance and FMCG. “I started working in my uncle’s business, Good Earth, doing the accounts at age 18, whilst studying for my ACCA,” he explains, recalling how the company would go on to open Brown and Rye, a boutique outside catering company called Fifth Flavour, and invested in a manufacturing company called Da Vinci, which produces traditional Maltese biscuits and frozen foods.
He moved away from the catering industry before COVID and was mainly focused on manufacturing and logistics at Good Earth and Da Vinci before taking over at Joinwell. “My arrival at Joinwell heralded the launch of a major restructuring which will see third generation shareholders take over and continue to grow the Joinwell legacy based on sustainability, innovation, and unparalleled service, which will include a number of partnerships starting with this merger with FXB.”
Joseph, meanwhile, has been working in the furniture sector since 1984, making next year his 40th in the industry. “It has been a period which has seen a lot of transformation,” he maintains. Having originally studied philosophy followed by management studies, Joseph has also served as director on the boards of the Malta Development Corporation (now Malta Enterprise), BOV and the Gozo Channel Company Limited (Chairman) over the years.
As can be expected, FXB’s Managing Director feels particularly close to the Gozitan business community and has represented them on the Federation of Industries (before it merged with The Malta Chamber) and as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Gozo Business Chamber. He is presently President of INSULEUR, the association which groups the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the islands of the European Union.
