39
2014 main events
in Consumer, Retail and Leisure
20
14
Portfolio Developments
//
ANNUAL REVIEW & SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Euskaltel
is the leading telecommunications provider and sole
cable operator in the Basque Region, one of Spain’s richest and
most economically stable regions with fiscal autonomy and
surplus. Euskaltel provides fixed line, broadband and pay TV
services to consumers and corporates, and also provides mobile
services as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”). The
Company has a proprietary state-of-the-art network with over
330,000 km of fiber optic lines fully upgraded to latest standard
EuroDOCSIS 3.0.
In November 2014, the Chinese telecoms equipment maker
ZTE opened its Southern European headquarters in the Basque
Country as part of a ten-year strategic agreement with Spanish
regional cable operator Euskaltel. The company’s leading position
and network standard makes it well placed to benefit from Spain
catching up with European broadband penetration and increased
broadband demand, as well as being in a strategic position to
capitalise on a market consolidation trend.
Aston Martin
is a leading luxury car manufacturer and
one of the most exclusive sports car brands in the world. In
2014 the strategic partnership with Daimler AG, the German
multinational premium automotive corporation, continues
apace. The agreement will allow Daimler and Aston Martin to
develop bespoke V8 engines, supporting Aston Martin’s launch
of a next generation of models that will incorporate cutting
edge technology and newly-developed engines, combining high
performance and fuel efficiency. At the beginning of 2014, Aston
Martin closed a financing facility by issuing $165 million (
€
120
million) of Senior Subordinated PIK notes to further support
its development plans. A high caliber manager, Andy Palmer,
was appointed as the new CEO of Aston Martin, formerly Chief
Planning Officer, Executive Vice President and Member of
the Executive Committee at the Nissan Motor Company. The
company is in the process of executing the new exciting product
development plan. In early 2015, Aston Martin completed a GBP
200 million funding round to expand its product range.
The Aston Martin Vanquish received
several recognitions during 2014
including Car of the Year by the
American magazine Robb Report
In Q1 2014, Investindustrial signed an agreement for the sale of
Svenson to a European investment portfolio manager.
In Q4 2014, Investindustrial completed the acquisition of Flos,
which explains the increase in sales and earnings for the year.
