July 2006: The Spanish cinema network Ábaco, controlled by funds managed by the private equity firm Mercapital, acquires all screens owned by Cinebox in Spain before 31st December 2005.
Cinebox is one of the leading players in the market with 275 screens in 27 multiplexes throughout Spain, the result of an aggressive expansion strategy combined with the acquisition of several multiplexes previously owned by Lauren which added 17 new ones in the last two years.
The combined group will have a market share of ca. 12%, with over €100 million in sales, being the first operator in the Spanish market in terms of number of screens and second in number of seats. After the acquisition, the new group will operate 44 multiplexes, the most modern in the sector, 460 screens, over 86,000 seats, and with a surface of approx. 178.000 m2.
SOCIOS advises the shareholders of Cinebox in the identification of potential buyers and in the negotiation and closing of the transaction.
