Cinven, KKR and Providence complete the acquisition of Spanish telecommunications operator, MASMOVIL

Lorca Telecom Bidco SAU, a company indirectly and collectively majority owned by funds or vehicles managed or advised by Cinven, funds or vehicles managed or advised by KKR and funds or vehicles managed or advised by Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. (“Providence”) (jointly “the Consortium”), has successfully completed the acquisition of Spanish telecommunications operator MASMOVIL IBERCOM, S.A. (“MASMOVIL” or “the Group”) having acquired 99.3% of the Group’s outstanding shares. At the tender offer price, MASMOVIL was valued at approximately EUR 5.3 billion.

The Consortium’s support will provide MASMOVIL with the opportunity to accelerate its investment strategy and develop new projects aimed at providing the Group’s customers, who report some of the highest satisfaction rates in Spain, high quality access to MASMOVIL’s networks at a time when the telecommunications sector is becoming increasingly important in the country.

In addition, this transaction aims to continue creating value for the telecommunications market, customers, and employees of the Group, in addition to, delivering a positive impact on people and on the planet – in line with MASMOVIL’s corporate purpose.

Headquartered in Madrid, MASMOVIL is the fourth largest telecommunications operator in Spain, with more than 11 million customers. It provides triple-play fixed-line, mobile and internet services to residential customers, businesses and operators through a number of brands including Yoigo, MASMOVIL, Pepephone, Llamaya, Lebara, Lycamobile and Hits mobile.

The Consortium believes MASMOVIL represents an attractive investment opportunity because of its strong positioning in Spain, the increasing demand for greater quality and value for money in the Spanish telecommunications sector, and the range of growth opportunities available for the business over the medium-term.

Commenting on the transaction, Jorge Quemada and Thomas Railhac, Partners at Cinven, said:

“We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of such a major European business which has become the leading challenger in Spain. The experienced management team has demonstrated its ability to consistently deliver excellent results, even in fast changing environments. MASMOVIL has a highly successful track record and has achieved revenue and double-digit EBITDA growth both organically and through acquisitions and, more recently, through the actions they have taken since COVID-19. We strongly believe MASMOVIL is well positioned in the market for further exciting growth opportunities.”

Iñaki Cobo and Jean-Pierre Saad, Partners at KKR, said:

“We are excited to invest behind one of our core themes, telecommunications and digitalization, and are confident that MASMOVIL is well positioned to continue capturing growth opportunities with its outstanding management team. The investment in MASMOVIL reinforces KKR’s commitment to Spain where we have already deployed almost $6 billion since 2010.”

Robert Sudo, Managing Director at Providence Equity, said:

“As a long-standing investor in MASMOVIL, we continue to see exciting growth opportunities for the business and are pleased Cinven and KKR share our long-term vision for the company. The management team’s proven track record leading the business places MASMOVIL in a strong position to succeed as a private business in a competitive market ripe for consolidation.”

The offer document with all the information about the voluntary tender offer are available on the following website:  https://www.grupomasmovil.com/en/takeover-bid-on-masmovil-group/