About

The Kore Group was established in 2006 through a joint venture between the db Group and JCL Holdings Limited. The db Group was founded in 1984 and over four decades has grown from a family-run business into Malta’s foremost corporate player in tourism, hospitality and leisure, and property development. JCL Holdings was set up in 1989 and today it is one of the largest and most renowned catering companies in Malta with state-of-the art food production facilities.

Timeline

1984

1989

2006

2007

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

1984

Silvio Debono starts the first business of what will grow to become the db Group.

1989

James Barbara, founder of the JCL Holdings Group establishes his first business.

2006

Kore Group is established as a joint venture between db Group and JCL holdings.

2007

The Group starts producing and supplying meals over 3,000 meals per day to Sky Gourmet Malta Ltd for inflight catering to Malta’s national airline.

The Groups also wins a contract and starts the supply of over 2,000 meals per day to Malta’s public sector hospitals:

• Mater Dei Hospital: 825 beds

• Karin Grech Hospital: 160 beds

• Sir Paul Boffa Hospital: 50 beds

2013

The Group successfully bids for another contract for the supply of 700 patient and staff meals per day, this time at Gozo General Hospital – a 220 in-patient bed hospital in Malta’s sister island Gozo. The contract includes the refurbishment and operation of kitchen facilities on-site within the Hospital.

2014

The Group acquires the two largest private healthcare companies in Malta and diversifies to provide health and social care, with a focus on hospitals and the community more broadly.

Meal production is increased with the supply of over 2,400 meals per day to St Vincent de Paul Residence (SVPR) – Malta’s largest state-run home for the elderly, catering for 1,100 residents and 150+ staff.

2015

The service offering in domiciliary care significantly increases when the Group takes over operations from what used to be the Malta Memorial District Nursing Association.

Meal production is increased with the supply of 160 meals per day for the newly opened Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

2016

The Group’s service offering is expanded to include domiciliary care for the elderly.

Kore obtains certification in conformity with Food Safety Management System Standard ISO 22000:2005.

The main Central Processing Unit is moved and operations start from within The Food Factory, a 21,000 sqm state-of-the-art food production facility.

2017

Through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), Kore Group is awarded the concession for the construction and operation of an additional 504 beds at SVPR, a senior living care residence for high level care residents. Through the same PPP, the Group is also tasked to set up an onsite, fully-equipped kitchen spread over 1,200 sqm, as well as provide daily catering services to residents.

2018

The Group is awarded the contract to operate the meals on wheels service on the island of Gozo. This involves the logistics of delivering ready to eat meals to over 60 different private residences across Gozo.

2019

Set up of a BRC certified kitchen within The Food Factory, which is the global international standard for food safety. The start of the provision of food items for Starbucks outlets.

2020

The four new blocks to accommodate an additional 504 residents at SVPR are successfully completed, meeting the project timelines, notwithstanding the works being carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

All four new blocks at SVPR become fully operational at 95% capacity. Additionally, Kore Group assists the country with the handling of the pandemic through the provision of nurses and carers at key areas such as swabbing, testing and vaccination centres.

The Group was awarded the contract for the provision of healthcare workers for a period of 3 years with a value of €48 million.

2022

The Group was re-awarded the contract for in-flight catering services for Air Malta with operations starting in December.

2023

The Group launched the training and education pillar with the opening of a Training Centre in Dubai and an Academy in Malta.

The Group started off operating in the contract catering market, producing and supplying meals for the national airline and the state hospitals in Malta. Throughout the years, the Group ventured further into health and social care services: the provision of health workers to hospitals and clinics, the delivery of domiciliary care by providing care and health services in the homes of patients, the design, build and management of nursing homes and training and education within the health and social care industry.

Today the Kore Group continues to be Malta’s leader in producing and supplying more than 9,000 meals per day to hospitals, and nursing homes, and the national expert in the producing and supplying meals and snacks to the local aviation industry. It also operates the largest private health and social care service in Malta. In 2023, the Group opened its doors to two education institutions: a Training Centre in Dubai and an Academy in Malta, providing training in relation to health and social care. This will further strengthen the quality of services provided by the Group.

The Group today employs more than 4,000 employees across its diverse operations.

Our Mission

To consistently deliver top-quality, client-centred and socially responsible catering and health and social care services, supported by the provision of professional education and training.

Our Vision

To be a renowned international player providing a skilled, dynamic and caring workforce for the provision of sustainable and high-quality catering and health and social care services which deliver a positive wellbeing experience for a better tomorrow.

Our Values

Excellence – Everything we do is grounded on our dedication to consistently provide professional and service excellence.
Integrity – We conform to the highest standards of professionalism and moral principles while making honest commitments working responsibly to honour them.
Quality and safety – To ensure quality and safety in our services and operations, we employ a cycle of continuous improvement to always strive for better results.
Trust – We ensure trust, compassion, dignity and human respect.
Care – We care about our clients, where their wellbeing is at the heart of our interests.