SPAIN - Avanza attracts private equity interest

Several private equity firms and industrial players are interested in acquiring transport group Avanza. It is rumoured that Dougthy Hanson, Advent International and Apax Partners are among the possible private equity bidders. One of the prospective purchasers on the industrial side is bus carrier National Express, which has recently acquired Alsa, the number one player in the road transport sector for EUR 600m. The process is being coordinated by Arcano Asesores Avanza is reportedly worth EUR 500m and it belongs to the families Moratel (48%) and Álvarez Arrojo (37%). The company reported a turnover of EUR 250m last year.