With 6,600 employees, €244.6 million in annual revenue and operations spanning food, healthcare and innovation, ETERNA Group is setting its sights on international expansion.Some of Malta’s most established names in food production, catering and healthcare are coming together under one identity, marking a new chapter for a business journey that started more than 35 years ago.ETERNA Group has officially unveiled its new corporate identity, bringing together well-known businesses including James Caterers, Malta Healthcare Caterers, Healthmark, The Food Factory and Kore, alongside their related companies and subsidiaries.And the scale of the operation is impressive.Together, these businesses employ approximately 6,600 people, prepare and supply around 48,500 meals every day and deliver more than two million home-care interventions and visits annually.The move is not a change in ownership, but rather a step towards bringing the group’s businesses under one recognisable identity and shared strategic vision, while preserving their individual histories.From A Small Family Business To A Major Maltese GroupBelieve it or not, ETERNA’s story began back in 1989, when Chairman James Barbara established James Confectionery as a small family-run business.Fast-forward more than three decades and that business has grown into an organisation serving hospitals, elderly-care facilities, schools, airlines, businesses and households.The group’s expansion has included several important milestones, from entering public healthcare catering in 2006 and in-flight catering in 2007 to expanding into healthcare and social care services from 2013 onwards.Speaking at the official launch, attended by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg, Barbara reflected on the group’s journey and its ambitions for the future.“ETERNA builds on more than 35 years of work by our people. We chose ETERNA because we want to build a group that will outlive us all. Each of our businesses has grown by meeting a need in people’s everyday lives, whether that means preparing a meal, caring for someone at home or training the people who deliver those services. Bringing our expertise together gives us a stronger foundation to invest in our teams, improve our services and take Maltese capabilities into new markets for sustainable long-term growth,” he said.Barbara also thanked those who have contributed to the group’s development over the years.A €50 Million Food Facility With International AmbitionsFood remains one of ETERNA Group’s core operations, with The Food Factory in Bulebel playing a central role in its production capabilities.Spanning approximately 35,000 square metres, the facility represents an investment of more than €50 million, including its recent expansion programme.It brings together specialised kitchens, bakery and pastry production, dedicated dietary production areas, research and development, testing, packaging and logistics.But its reach extends well beyond Malta.Last year, the group exported 593,908 food products to approximately 10 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.The company has also invested approximately €3 million in a new 500-square-metre central production unit in Xewkija, strengthening its operations in Gozo.Healthcare Is Another Major Part Of The PictureWhile many people may recognise the group’s catering businesses, ETERNA also has a significant presence in healthcare and community care.Through Healthmark, the group supports more than 10,000 clients across Malta and Gozo with domiciliary care services.And it’s not just about delivering care. Training the next generation of healthcare professionals is also part of the strategy.The group invests in skills development through Healthmark Academy in Malta, the Ceserani Hospitality Training Centre and its healthcare training centre in Dubai.By October 2025, the Dubai centre had already trained more than 600 nurses and carers.Food, Health And Innovation: The Three Pillars Driving ETERNALooking ahead, ETERNA’s strategy is built around three key areas: Food, Health and Innovation.The group is bringing these sectors together through initiatives ranging from therapeutic and texture-modified meals for patients and elderly people to digital patient-menu ordering and integrated production-management systems.Dedicated product research also forms part of its innovation strategy, supporting the development of new solutions across its operations.Sustainability is another area receiving investment.ETERNA’s environmental initiatives include approximately 2,000 photovoltaic panels, generating around 890,000 kWh of electricity annually, alongside heat-recovery systems, water-efficiency measures, waste-reduction efforts and packaging improvements. And The Group Has Its Eyes On International MarketsETERNA’s ambitions are not limited to Malta.Its international operations already include a healthcare training centre in Dubai and catering operations in the United Arab Emirates, which commenced in 2025.Together with its established food exports, these activities provide a foundation for further expansion overseas.The group’s financial position has also been strengthened through several developments.In 2025, ETERNA acquired full ownership of its healthcare and in-flight catering operations, followed by a successful €30 million bond issue through James B. Finance p.l.c. in November.These developments form part of the group’s preparations for its next phase of growth.A New Identity For The Next ChapterFrom a small confectionery business in 1989 to a diversified group generating €244.6 million in annual revenue, ETERNA’s journey reflects decades of expansion across several essential industries.By bringing its businesses together under one identity, the group is looking to strengthen collaboration, invest in its workforce and services and build on its presence in international markets.With food, healthcare and innovation at the centre of its strategy, ETERNA is positioning itself for its next chapter, while maintaining the individual identities and experience of the businesses that helped it grow.Share this with someone who would be interested to know•