The late Charles Gatt Baldacchino first signed the franchise agreement in November 1961 with, at the time, Hertz American Express International Limited. Malta was the 10^th European country in which Hertz started operating an international franchise and, today, Hertz Malta is the oldest Hertz franchise holder in Europe.

“We are pleased to be part of a global franchise network that immediately enabled us to be a leading player in the local market,” said Simon Gatt Baldacchino, Managing Director of United Garage Limited. “We enjoy a strong partnership with Hertz, a global organisation, and the strong relationship established 60 years ago with my late father has withstood the test of time. We have emerged stronger and look ahead with confidence to a bright future of mobility.”

He pointed out that each decade presented different challenges, with the company growing in line with the development and growth of tourism, the automotive evolution, and the diversification of the local economy.

“We have seen quite some change, especially in our core business, the automotive field, but there was also change in the different channels in which customers drove the car rental business forward, moving from the traditional element to the digitalisation of the business,” Mr. Gatt Baldacchino added.

Today, United Garage is the franchisee of the Hertz multi-brand portfolio that comprises of Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar and Firefly. United Garage has also been operating Hertz Leasing for the past 25 years, offering both passenger cars and LCVs (light commercial vehicles).

Angela Brav, President Hertz International, said: “We are very proud of our longstanding partnership with United Garage Limited and the great work they do operating our full portfolio of brands. We’re looking forward to continuing to work together to grow the Hertz brands in Malta while offering all our customers a fast and seamless car rental service.”

United Garage has also unveiled a 60th anniversary logo, which incorporates the years 1961-2021 and the Maltese national colours in commemoration of Hertz’s 60 years in Malta. This launch is the kick-off of a series of activities and events to celebrate this prestigious milestone.

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United Group has been involved in real estate for the last two decades, developing and managing a portfolio of properties ranging from unique period palazzos to high-end residential properties and office spaces. The group has now consolidated these properties under one brand – United Estates – which has just been launched to give the property arm of the group its own identity and put the United stamp on the real-estate market.

United Estate’s most recent development, Pinto Business Centre, marks a definitive moment in the Group’s journey. With its prime location within Malta’s up-and-coming Central Business District (Qormi/Mriehel), luxuriously designed interiors and versatile office spaces, Pinto is upping the bar for working environments that are not only professional, but also functional and sustainable. Pinto Business Centre is currently seeking to occupy the last 2 floors within the development, all of which enjoy abundant natural light and can be tailored to the needs of interested tenants.

United Estates will be showcasing available properties through its newly launched website unitedestates.com.mt, and will inform subscribers about available properties when they become available. Subscribe to the mailing list to stay in touch, or follow the journey of United Estates, through social channels Linked-In and Facebook.

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United Garage Ltd, local international franchisees of Hertz Rent A Car, has won the prestigious World Travel Award for Malta’s Leading Car Rental Company for the second year running. The rental company has been operating in Malta as part of the United Group of Companies for more than half a century.

The World Travel Awards (WTAs) are very prestigious and are aspired to by members of the travel and tourism industry all over the world. Each year for the past 27 years, the WTAs have recognised the efforts of those service providers in each continent who excel at what they do. Nominees are voted for by qualified executives working within the travel and tourism industry and by the consumer travel buyer. WTAs support and promote practitioners in all sectors dealing with travel and tourism, ranging from Leading Airline, to Leading Luxury Hotel, to Leading Tour Operator, and everything in between. This year, Hertz Malta beat another four highly respected car rental companies to win the coveted award in a year that has tested the travel industry like few other years ever had before.

Hertz Malta have managed to excel at a time when borders have been repeatedly closed and reopened, flights cancelled and restrictions have made it difficult, if not impossible at times, to travel between countries. Not only did they continue to thrive, but they have adapted to a market that changed overnight and that continues to change with little warning.

“These are challenging times, and this award is even more important to us because of the obstacles we are facing,” says Simon Gatt Baldacchino, Director and Chief Operating Officer of the United Group of Companies. “Our aim is to continue in our mission to give our customers the best service we can offer in both rent-a-car and leasing services. Our biggest priority is to safeguard our customers’ peace of mind with regards to health and safety, which we continue to pay particular attention to, especially during these challenging times, with measures in place such as guaranteed sterilised vehicles.”

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To commence the United for Health initiative, Chairperson of United Group Mrs Carmen Gatt Baldacchino presented a donation on behalf of the Group to Mrs Gertrude Abela, President of Europa Donna Malta and Board Member of Europa Donna Europe. This donation will support Europa Donna’s work of encouraging those undergoing breast cancer treatment, recovery, life after treatment and reconstructive surgery, including the families of patients and survivors.

Customers of United Group’s retail and mobility brands are encouraged to join United Group in supporting Europa Donna by giving a donation in exchange for a pink ribbon pin from any of its retail locations (Debenhams at The Point and Main Street Shopping Complex, Debenhams Beauty Club at The Point, Oasis on Tower Road, MAC Cosmetics at Bisazza Street, The Point or Valletta) or Hertz service outlets (Malta International Airport, Luqa Head Office, Preluna Hotel). 100% of all donations will go to Europa Donna Malta.

“When it comes to breast cancer, we have learned that prevention is the best medicine,” commented Mr Edmund Gatt Baldacchino, CEO and Director of United Group. “We are united in our commitment to support our employees — and our community — as they work towards a healthier lifestyle, every day. We are also grateful to Europa Donna for sharing our commitment to the community, and for providing a priceless resource to everyone in Malta directly and indirectly affected by breast cancer.”

Europa Donna is the European Breast Cancer Coalition, which advocates for optimal breast cancer treatment for all women in the European Union. Malta is one of 46 countries affiliated with Europa Donna. The Malta branch was established in 1987 as the Mastectomy Support Group and renamed the Breast Care Support Group in 1989 before it affiliated with the Europa Donna coalition in 2004.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Malta, with one in ten women expected to contract the disease during their lifetime. According to the World Health Organisation, currently, there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer; therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If caught late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option.

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Hertz Malta, the company’s longest tenured franchisee in Europe

Strong, dedicated leaders, eager to grow and daring in business, The Gatt Baldacchino family members have been Hertz “Men and women of character” for over half a century.

Having been operated by the Gatt Baldacchino family for the last 57 years, Hertz Malta is currently Hertz’s longest tenured franchisee in Europe.

The story begins in 1926, when a young man named Carmelo Gatt Baldacchino, full of dreams and ambition, founded United Motor Company, a Maltese bus and chauffeur-driven vehicles business. After decades of expansion, Carmelo’s once small company grew to become The United Group of Companies, one of the most renowned and diversified enterprises in Malta.

When Carmelo passed away, his 15 year old son Charles had to enter the family business. Charles’ great business skills and determination helped him secure important contracts, including one with the NATO base in Malta, and quickly become a pioneer in the Maltese travel and tourism industry.

In, 1961, 35 years after Carmelo’s adventure started, Charles founded United Garage Limited, a subsidiary of the United Group, and acquired the Hertz franchisee for the Maltese Islands, becoming one of the first Hertz franchise partners in Europe.

Charles Gatt Baldacchino, one of the first European entrepreneurs to become a Hertz “Man of character” was a gent ahead of his time, well known and respected in the business community. He never forgot his humble beginnings and his principles of integrity and trust.

Hertz Malta yesterday and today

With 20 Hillman Minx, Morris Minor and Triumph Herald vehicles, Hertz Malta started its operations in St Anthony Street, Sliema, soon becoming the preferred car rental option for tourists arriving in the sunny Mediterranean islands. Hertz Malta has since become the car rental leader in country.

Today, United Group, led by Charles’ sons, Edmund and Simon Gatt Baldacchino, is an active player in the automotive, retail and real estate sectors.

United Group’s commitments to excellence, quality service and team work have been clearly reflected in Hertz Malta from the very beginning, setting the company apart from its local competitors.

Aligned with the company’s commitment to expansion and diversification, in 1996 United Garage launched Hertz Lease to start operating lease packages to local businesses. The acquisition of the Firefly franchisee followed in 2014, and last year the company became a multi-brand franchisee with the addition of Dollar and Thrifty to its brand portfolio.

Simon Gatt Baldacchino, Managing Director, United Garage Limited tells us:

“I am proud to be part of the third generation of Gatt Baldacchino men and women involved in transportation services in Malta. My grandfather and father were real key players in the Maltese travel and tourism sectors and, together with my great team, I work hard to continue to deliver the high standards they have always sought. We love belonging to the Hertz family and are very proud of also operating the Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly brands in Malta, offering a broad range of car rental products to tourists and businesses.”

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, commented:

“The wonderful achievements of the Gatt Baldacchino family and the Hertz Malta team over nearly six decades are very inspirational.  Men and women of character – with outstanding local expertise and high customer service standards, such as the Gatt Baldacchinos – have been instrumental in helping our brands to grow and shine globally. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with United Garage Limited and commend them for their great work in operating our full portfolio of brands.”

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The new development will be built to the highest specifications with a managed reception area and ample car parking facilities. The office block is centrally located in Qormi close to a number of amenities and in the vicinity of other renowned businesses such as the HSBC Operations Centre and PwC offices amongst others.

Construction works on this development has commenced and the business centre will be ready to hand over to potential tenants in the first quarter of 2019.

Commenting about this development United Group Chief Executive Officer, Edmund Gatt Baldacchino said that “given the strong demand for quality office space we have decided to invest in an office block that meets the demands of local and international businesses. As with all our real estate developments, this will be another quality project built in a planned and structured manner.”

Further information is available by contacting United Estates Ltd, G.B.Building, 2^nd Floor, Triq il-Watar Ta’ Xbiex Tel 23388000 or E mail info@dev.unitedgroup.com.mt

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With prime locations at Malta International Airport, Sliema Downtown and Gozo Harbour, Thrifty Malta provides adventure-seeking car rental customers with easy access to the country’s magnificent beaches, rich history and urban centres. Whether travelling on leisure or business, Thrifty renters will benefit from a diverse fleet, including compact, economy, intermediate and standard vehicles as well as a variety of attractive offers.

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, said: “It is truly exciting to see the Thrifty brand with an improved customer offering in Malta – a fast-growing and thriving tourist destination. It is an additional advantage that we are achieving this new milestone in partnership with our longest-tenured franchisee in Europe, United Garage Ltd., which boasts indisputable local expertise and reputation for providing excellent customer service.”

Simon Gatt Baldacchino, Managing Director Hertz and Thrifty Malta; COO and Director, United Group of Companies, said: “We are proud that The Hertz Corporation has entrusted United Garage Ltd. with the representation of Thrifty in Malta, confirming our position in the local market. The appointment of Thrifty Car Rental strengthens our commitment to bring a wider choice and excellent service to our customers.”

Ron Scerri, General Manager Hertz and Thrifty Malta commented: “Thrifty Malta’s superior customer proposition brings a new range of services and options to the country’s car rental market. We are looking forward to providing local and international customers with the convenience and great customer care Thrifty is known for internationally.”

The Thrifty brand re-launched in Malta under the new management of Hertz’s longest-tenured franchise partner in Europe, United Garage Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of United Group. Having been operating the Hertz rent a car business in Malta for over half a century, the company holds an outstanding reputation in the industry.

Thrifty Car Rental has been actively expanding in European markets. The brand is currently present in 49 countries with the latest additions being in Poland, Turkey and Hungary.

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“Hertz has been successfully operating its business in Malta for 55 years, having added its leasing services 20 years ago to ensure customers’ long term car rental needs were also fulfilled. United Garage Ltd., the company that operates Hertz in the country, boasts a longstanding experience in the leasing business, which was certainly instrumental to consolidate our brand portfolio,” explains Ron Scerri, General Manager, Hertz Malta.

Hertz Malta’s leasing business and professional fleet management service offer customers bespoke ,complete leasing packages, totally shaped as per their specific needs.

“Clients want flexibility and a personalized approach through the complete freedom of choosing the model, leasing plans and packages that best suit their requirements. Strengthening our leasing service means putting customers in the driving seat, matching their requests for preferred model, leasing plans and packages and supporting them with additional practicality, convenience and added-value.”

“Our corporate lease offer and professional fleet management service help customers optimise costs and efficiencies while freeing up their time and resources so they can concentrate on running their business,” added Ron Scerri.

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