Celebrating Business Excellence Since 1926

United Group has evolved from its roots in transport and mobility into a family-owned diversified business, shaped by enterprise and continuity across generations.

As we mark 100 years, we honour the people, decisions and principles that have guided this journey – and look ahead with the same sense of stewardship that has defined the Group since its earliest days.

Reaching 100 years is more than a milestone. It is a moment to reflect on the foundations that shaped United Group, the principles that guided its evolution, and the responsibility that comes with carrying a legacy forward.

Across generations, the Group has built enduring relationships – with employees, partners, customers and the wider community.

While the business has evolved and diversified over time, its underlying approach has remained consistent: act with integrity, think long-term, protect reputation, and build with care.

Today, that philosophy continues to guide United Group as it enters its next century.

100 Years of Evolution.

United Group’s story began in the 1920s, when its founder, Carmelo Gatt Baldacchino, returned to Malta after working in the US, bringing with him a spirit of enterprise, innovation and adaptability.

At a time when mobility in Malta was beginning to change, he introduced one of the island’s earliest motor buses – helping shape the foundations of modern transport on the island. From there, the business expanded into a garage in Sliema, establishing the early framework of a family enterprise that would continue to evolve over the decades.

What began in transport gradually grew through hard work, trusted relationships and a readiness to recognise opportunity.

Over time, the Group evolved into various sectors such as chauffeur-driven services, tourism destination management, car rental, retail, automotive importation activities and real estate – always remaining anchored in the same entrepreneurial spirit.

The founding pillar was mobility. The enduring foundation was trust.

Timeline of a Century

In 1926 Carmelo Gatt Baldacchino founded a small transportation company under the name United Motor Company.

Carmelo’s son Charles joins the business and focuses on servicing the NATO mission in Malta.

United Garage Limited acquires the prestigious Hertz Rent-a-Car franchise in Malta, becoming Europe’s oldest franchise.

The company grows into destination management, leading the sector and representing Exchange Travel and Thomson Holidays, leading UK tour operators.

The group ventures into the importation of motor vehicles.

Hertz Lease franchise acquired by United Garage Limited.

United Finance plc is set up as the treasury company of the Group and issued its first Bond on the Malta Stock Exchange.

The Group ventures into Real Estate development.

The United Group leads a consortium, establishes PenderVille Limited and acquires a prime St Julian’s site for Pendergardens.

The Group opens the first Debenhams store at The Point Shopping Mall and later inaugurates a second store at Main Street Shopping Centre.

United Group Limited merges its car importation operation with Easyell to form Cars International.

Cars International merges its operations into Motors Inc. in partnership with Tum Invest & Pater Holdings to retail Maserati, Kia, Hyundai, Iveco, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, LeapMotor and Jeep motor vehicles.

United Garage introduces the Hertz multibrand portfolio including Thrifty and Dollar.

United Group establishes a subsidiary in Austria and invests in a real estate development.

United Group expands its Vienna portfolio through the acquisition of a second real estate development.

The Principles That Have Carried Us Forward

Across 100 years, certain principles have remained constant. They have shaped decisions, guided partnerships, and defined the way the Group operates.

Family Roots

The Group remains grounded in its origins as a family business - guided by responsibility, continuity, resilience and trust across generations.

Governance

As the Group has grown, structure and accountability have become essential. Decisions are guided by stewardship, reputation and long-term perspective.

Our People

The Group's story is defined by its people. Many have grown within the organisation, contributing loyalty, expertise and continuity to its success.

Customer Relationships

We place our customers at the centre of everything that we do, delivering quality service and long-term value.

Our Brands

Each brand stands for quality, reliability, and innovation – built on a promise to exceed expectations through every partnership.

The Group Today

United Group today is a diversified portfolio of businesses built on a century of experience and adaptation.

Each sector reflects a different stage of the Group’s evolution – and together they form a platform for continued growth.

Automotive Importation and Ancillary Activities

Vehicle Rental & Leasing

Commercial Real Estate

Residential Property Development

International Real Estate (Austria)

Each sector reflects a different stage of the Group’s evolution – and together they form a platform for continued growth.

Guided by Generations. Focused on the Future.

The leadership of United Group reflects continuity across generations.

Each generation has contributed to the Group in a different way – from building early transport foundations, to diversifying into automotive and property, to introducing more structured governance and long-term strategic direction.

Today’s leadership carries this legacy forward with a clear sense of responsibility: not only to preserve what has been built, but to ensure the Group remains relevant, resilient and forward-looking.

As new generations become more involved, the Group continues to balance continuity with renewal – guided by the values that have always defined it: integrity, reputation, responsibility and trust.

Building the Next Century

Reaching 100 years is both an achievement and a starting point.

United Group enters its next chapter with a continued focus on responsible growth, strong governance and long-term value creation. Real estate and property development will remain key areas of focus, alongside continued international expansion, particularly in Austria.

The Group will continue to evolve while remaining grounded in its origins – guided by family values, strengthened by experience, and open to opportunity.

Its ambition is simple: to build with care, grow with purpose, and remain relevant for generations to come.

A century has been built. The next one begins with purpose.

100 Years of United Group