M&A

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Global Automotive Industry Trends in the First Quarter of 2025

During the first quarter of 2025, the global automotive sector recorded a total of 113 M&A transactions, with Europe accounting for 27% of the total. Although this figure represents a slight drop compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the dynamism of the market remains remarkable.

Despite the de-escalation of international trade tensions, the automotive industry continues to face significant challenges. This is largely due to new trade tariffs imposed by the United States starting in the second quarter of 2025, affecting automobiles, automotive parts, aluminum and steel. These measures have intensified the complexity of the global regulatory environment.

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Among the highlights of the quarter was SAPA's acquisition of Megatech in March, further consolidating SAPA's growth strategy in the international market.

In terms of valuations, the estimated EV/EBITDA multiples for 2025 reflect the following figures by segment:

  • Multiproduct: 5.2x
  • Motor: 6.7x
  • Chassis: 4.3x
  • Interiors (Trim): 4.4x

This data provides a clear picture of market performance and investment opportunities in the global automotive sector.

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Basque group Auxitec strengthens its shareholding with the entry of Talde Private Equity and KCE

Talde and KCE acquire a majority stake in Auxitec, a pioneer and leader in the new online retail model. The objective is to build a large international project with presence in the US, USA and UAE, and will continue to be led by its founding partner, Pascal Gómez, in his capacity as reference shareholder and president of the company.

The Auxitec Group is a group specialized in the distribution and supply of products for online commerce, as a strategic partner of the market leader, both in the national and international market, in sectors as diverse as industrial, sports, baby, beauty, automotive, home, health and personal hygiene.

Based on its commitment to technology and digitalization ("supply tech"), it has managed to develop first-class logistics and a level of competitiveness that has enabled it to position itself as one of the most outstanding companies at European level, with great growth prospects based on a successful business model that has already been proven.

In this new stage together with Talde and KCE, in addition to consolidating the strong growth experienced in recent years in Europe, the Group intends to promote an ambitious strategic plan. The main objective of this plan is to expand internationally, focusing on other European countries and new geographies such as the USA, UAE and Latin America. Additionally, the Group plans to develop new verticals to expand its product portfolio and is working on a new line of services with great growth potential.

Auxitec's ownership has been advised in the financial and legal areas by PKF Attest and Garrigues, respectively, with Deloitte being the financial and legal advisor to the investors.

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ADVISING ON THE SALE OF A COMPANY IN THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SECTOR

PKF Attest advises the shareholders of Fervilor Michels and Balsa Pack Hispania on the sale of the companies.

Innometal, a Spanish company specialized in the metal industry, has acquired the also Spanish companies Fervilor and Balsa Pack Hispania for an undisclosed amount.

Both companies are based in Vitoria-Gasteiz and specialize in cutting, bending, welding and machining processes for the manufacture of metal components for various sectors.

The PKF Attest team has been the financial and legal advisor to the sellers in the transaction.

Our Corporate Finance team offers advice on Mergers and Acquisitions to companies, both nationally and internationally.

Contact our Audit and Assurance department.

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JBT Corporation [NYSE: JBT], a Chicago, Illinois-based provider of technology solutions for the food processing and air transportation industries, has acquired Urtasun Tecnologia Alimentaria, a Spain-based provider of fruit and vegetable processing solutions.

The purchase and sale transaction was closed for approximately US$40 million (34.5 million euros), with PKF Attest acting as financial and legal advisor to the selling party.

According to Brian Deck, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. company:

The acquisition of Urtasun expands our product offering in fruit and vegetable processing. Thanks to its integration into our FoodTechdivision, we can leverage JBT's global sales and service portfolio to accelerate its growth.

It is an alliance that already took an important step in 2013. At that time, the management of Urtasun Tecnología Alimentaria announced an agreement with JBT FoodTech, whereby the Marcilla-based company would begin to represent the U.S. group's fillers, sealers and sterilizers in Spain (excluding Galicia) and Portugal.

2021 REVENUES

Urtasun expects to end the current year with revenues of approximately US$25 million and adjusted EBITDA of around 15-20%.

In addition, José María Urtasun, son of the company's founder and CEO, won the Generational Replacement Award at the XVIII Edition of the AER Award, granted two years ago by the Asociación Empresa Ribera (AER).

MORE THAN 6,400 WORKERS

JBT Corporation is an international provider of technology solutions for "high-value segments" of the food and beverage industry, with a focus on "proteins, liquid foods and automated systems."

In this regard, it designs, produces and services "sophisticated products and systems for multinational and regional customers through its 'FoodTech' segment." It also sells critical equipment and services to domestic and international air transport customers through its AeroTech segment. It currently employs some 6,400 people worldwide and has sales, service, manufacturing and procurement operations in more than 25 countries.

Source: Navarra Capital

Our Corporate Finance team offers advice on Mergers and Acquisitions to companies, both nationally and internationally.

Advice on mergers and acquisitions.

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Urbas has acquired 100% of the share capital of the Jaureguizar Group, a Biscayan company dedicated to the development, construction and management of cooperatives, with more than 35 years of track record in residential development and more than 7,500 homes delivered, as reported to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).

To close this agreement, the company and its board of directors have relied on legal and financial advice from the firms PwC and PKF Attestand thanked them for their work in reaching the agreement.

The acquisition of Jaureguizar, which will continue to operate under its original commercial name and identity, allows Urbas to "substantially" expand its presence in the Basque market with a portfolio of 2,400 homes in different stages of development: 755 homes under construction and already sold, 970 homes being marketed, 500 planned in land under development, and another 175 in assets in profitability.

A large part of Jaureguizar's real estate portfolio is located at the Punta Norte of Zorrotzaurre Island in Bilbao, which was converted into an island through works carried out by Murias in a joint venture with Tecsa and Drace Infraestructuras, which ratifies, according to the firm, the high degree of positioning of Urbas in the real estate sector in the Basque Country with its three subsidiaries: Jaureguizar, Murias and Urrutia, and the great synergies that this situation will generate.

The Board of Directors of Urbas has highlighted that the acquisition of Jaureguizar, which has been closed after several months of intense negotiations and work, will be "very beneficial" for the company, as it is part of the line of expansion, business increase, internationalization and diversification, with the continuous creation of value for its shareholders and investors and "clear" business objectives with a horizon of 2025.

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