The contraction of the Iberian gases healthcare market has been evident over the past five years. 2012 saw two major Tier One takeovers in the field; Air Liquide bought Gasmedi, the second-largest player in the market, and The Linde Group purchased Air Products’ Continental-European homecare business, a company that played an historic role in Spain’s gas industry.
After speaking to leading regional player VIVISOL Iberica, it became apparent that it has been a tough hike through the region’s domestic gases market in recent years, with the recession stifling growth in 2008/9 and European GDP averaging at around 0.5% per annum ever since.
Enrico Spiaggi, Country Manager of VIVISOL Iberica, likened his company’s journey to the long, spiritual pilgrimage Camino de Santiago, paralleling the company’s own quest for growth in the local gases industry. “Our history bears resemblance to the Camino de Santiago,” he explained. “The Spanish market is one of the most closed in the world; it’s really difficult to start business here. It’s peculiar.”
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