– In fact, there was an idea for a company controlled directly or indirectly by the State Treasury to take over a Spanish manufacturer of high-speed trains. Although Talgo is a private company, it plays an important role in the production of rolling stock in Spain, so we are seeking support for a possible acquisition from the Spanish government. There have even been talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on this topic, a source close to the government told the website Business Insider. The portal added that the key in this matter will be convincing the shareholders of the company, which is listed on the Spanish stock exchange, to sell.
Could the Polish Development Fund take over the Spanish company Talgo?
Already in July, there was a signal about a possible attempt to take over the Spanish manufacturer of high-speed trains. – I am very committed to the topic. The issue is on our radar, said Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Piotr Malepszak, when asked during a meeting of the Senate Infrastructure Committee whether a domestic company (e.g. Pesa) could buy Talgo. According to BI, which refers to government circles, the Polish Development Fund (PFR) could be tempted to take over the Spanish manufacturer.
The support of the Spanish authorities for such a transaction is crucial. Hungary offered over EUR 600 million for the purchase of Talgo, but the offer was blocked and the government of Pedro Sánchez placed a veto. “The government has decided not to consent to foreign direct investment in Talgo by Ganz Mavag,” the Spanish Ministry of Economy said. In turn, the Czech Škoda wanted to exchange shares with the owners of the railway business, but at the end of August the offer was rejected.
Pesa signed a contract with Talgo. Of key importance for CPK
At the end of September, Pesa Bydgoszcz and the Spanish company Talgo signed an agreement on cooperation in the production of high-speed vehicles. Together, the companies want to deliver High Speed vehicles to the Polish and other neighboring markets. The agreement assumes expansion of cooperation in the future.
The companies plan to jointly prepare an offer for the announced procurement process for high-speed rolling stock, which is to be announced in Poland in 2025. Poland is building a high-speed railway as part of the Central Communication Port (CPK). In the future, Pesa and Talgo also want to work on projects in neighboring markets. Moreover, the agreement assumes the search for other possibilities of cooperation on railway projects.
Talgo is a leader in the design, production and maintenance of high-speed and intercity trains used in Spain, Germany, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the United States. The company is the main supplier of high-speed and very high-speed trains to Renfe and the supplier of trains for the “Haramain” project, a line between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. It is also the manufacturer chosen by Deutsche Bahn in Germany and DSB in Denmark to decarbonize passenger transport with Talgo 230 Intercity trains.
Pesa, on the other hand, is the largest manufacturer of railway rolling stock in Poland. This company's trains and trams run in all regions of Poland and most large cities, as well as in several European countries. Pesa trams are used, among others, by: by residents of Warsaw, Kiev and Sofia. The company's vehicles transport passengers, among others: German railways DB, Italian Trenitalia, Czech Drah and PKP Intercity.