Indra grants De los Mozos powers to negotiate the merger with Escribano without approval from the independent commission
Indra has authorized De los Mozos to negotiate a merger with Escribano, circumventing the independent commission due to ongoing conflicts of interest.
Indra has taken significant steps towards negotiating a merger with Escribano Mechanical Engineering by granting De los Mozos the authority to act without the consent of the independent commission. This decision, made under the scrutiny of the Spanish securities market regulator CNMV, comes amid a protracted internal conflict regarding the potential merger, which has sparked a power struggle within the company. The board aims to mitigate the conflict of interest that involves its chairman Ángel Escribano and director Javier Escribano, who are linked to the family-run Escribano firm.
The merger talks have been ongoing for almost a year, highlighting the concern from the government that if the Escribano brothers, who are now the second-largest shareholders in Indra, gain equal power with the State Industrial Participation Society (SEPI), it could upset the balance of power within the company. This concern underlines the broader implications of the merger, as the Escribano family's increased influence could pose challenges for Indra's strategic direction moving forward.
In addition to the merger negotiations, Indra is also pursuing significant investments, including a proposed technological complex in Madrid focused on defense, which would involve an investment of approximately 385 million euros. This ambitious project indicates Indra's commitment to expanding its presence in the defense sector, potentially creating a strong synergy with Escribano's capabilities in military engineering, should the merger proceed successfully. This venture reflects the competitive dynamics in the defense industry and the strategic moves companies are willing to undertake to consolidate power and resources.