Budamar is buying Tatravagónka

Budamar, Slovakia’s largest private rail freight carrier, is in talks to acquire wagon maker Tatravagónka Poprad, according to MotejlekSkocdopole.com. Budamar’s official owners are Claudio Frick and Kristen Mikkel Volmer Lind, but it is represented by real owners Ivan Petríček and Evžen Balko in the acquisition talks. Last year, Budamar acquired a minority stake in train maker and repair firm ŽOS Vrútky (annual sales of €45m). Tatravagónka, with €200m in sales and 2,000 employees, is among the largest wagon makers in Europe. Its owners, Alexej Beljajev and Michal Lazar, are selling it for 30 months. Last year, Czech businessman Jaroslav Strnad agreed to acquire a 47% stake for €41m, but his financing disappeared. Budamar already has the right to buy a 16% stake for €17m, and wants to acquire a 50% stake, and later the entire firm.

(sme.sk)