A saviour when most needed
By Albert Fenech 
The death of Pasquale Pistorio did not come as a shock. After all he was 89 and lived a life of generous fulfilment. The shock to us Maltese and the Maltese economy was that one of the major and main pillars of our economic standing today is no longer alive to appreciate the result of his generous love for the Maltese islands.
In some way or other the generous of this genius continues to gift us today although he has passed away and in recent years had little connection with Malta and Gozo.
There are few households in Malta – including mine – which can say his never-ending love for the Maltese Islands did not affect us. He brought to us STMicroelectronics, a technological/microchip company which to today still affects an aspect of our beloved country of birth.
Being neighbours to his birth in the province of Enna in neighbouring Sicily on 6th January, 1936, he had a special love for Malta, a love he carried, propagated and managed throughout his life.
Born in 1936 in Agira, in the province of Enna, Sicily, Pasquale Pistorio graduated in electrical engineering from the Turin Polytechnic in 1963. He began his professional career with Motorola, where he climbed the ranks to become European marketing director, Vice President of Motorola Corporation and head of the international semiconductor division, with responsibility for design, manufacturing and marketing outside the United States.
In 1980 Pistorio returned to Italy, taking over as head of SGS (Società Generale Semiconduttori), then the only Italian company in the microelectronics sector. This is where Pasquale directed his internal drive when he created SGS Ates as one of his famous creations which was SGS Ates in Malta in 1981.
I remember at the time this was dismissed by most media as one of “Mintoff’s inventions” to win votes. Tonio Portughese was appointed a Director of HR and Administration by Pistorio and from the most humble origins the company started its works.
However, much, much, more was to follow. A most famous entrepreneurial act in 1987 merger linked SGS with France’s Thomson Semi-conducteurs, from which was born SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, which later assumed the name STMicroelectronics.
Under Pistorio’s leadership, ST grew significantly, becoming one of the world’s leading microchip manufacturers. He was also a promoter of innovation, social responsibility and sustainability within the company. In 2005 he left the operational position and became Honorary Chairman.
In addition to his industrial activity, Pistorio had also had a busy career in the social and institutional spheres.
Between 2005 and 2008 he was vice president of Confindustria with responsibility for innovation and research. In 2007 he was appointed chairman of Telecom Italia, at a complex time for the company. In 2005 he founded the Pistorio Foundation, based in Geneva, with education, health and nutrition projects in developing countries. He received numerous academic awards and honors.
Pasquale Pistorio died in Milan at the age of 89.
His death represented a significant loss for the world of technology, Italian industry, and European electronics.
His name will remain linked to the time when Italy and Europe were trying to carve out a prominent space for themselves in the semiconductor field, and to the business model that combines innovation, social responsibility and foresight.
Malta was part of the innovation, progressing from SGS Ates to SGS-Thomson and finally to STMicroelectronics Malta Ltd with over 1,000 employees and at its height had 3,000 employees.
In Malta, Pistorio had great confidence in Maltese management and workers’ talents. As main technical principals he created his own Italian management, but locally in 1981 he appointed TONIO PORTUGHESE to totally manage the Maltese personnel employed and over the years, 3,000 employees were managed before streamlining of 1,500 workers was settled.
Score of graduate engineering employees were included and many later continuing to give their engineering management skills to other mechanical and technological companies.
Pistorio visited Malta frequently and merged into the daily-life of the company. I had the honour and pleasure of meeting him on various occasions and various summer cruises which he joined and enthused at being in Comino and dining with so many employees.
So yes, his death was not a great shock because of his age but the shock is the knowledge of the passing away of one of the greatest pillars of one’s livelihood.
Rest in Peace dearest Pasquale and enjoy the goodness of Heaven which you strongly deserve.
ALBERT FENECH
salina4@gmail.com
