Herrecha Inversiones, the holding company led by Hortensia Herrero, has become a shareholder in Istobal, the Valencian car wash and maintenance specialist, through the acquisition of a 22% stake previously held by the Tomás Puchades and Tomás Ruiz family lines. The move marks a new chapter for Istobal, aligning with Herrecha Inversiones as a strategic partner to accelerate the company’s growth journey.
With this investment, Herrecha Inversiones supports Istobal in its ongoing strategic initiatives and international expansion, reinforcing its leadership position beyond the Valencian Community. The partnership underscores Istobal’s global footprint, as exports account for a substantial portion of the company’s sales and growth strategy.
The majority family groups, Tomás Alfonso and Tomás Alfaro, commented on the milestone: “We are thrilled to have Hortensia Herrero and Herrecha Inversiones as partners in Istobal.”
Istobal has sustained a steady growth trajectory since its inception, becoming a benchmark in the car wash and maintenance sector on a global scale thanks to its comprehensive and advanced solutions. The company continues to expand its product and service portfolio, aiming to boost industry profitability, enhance the user experience, and maintain environmental standards.
international vision
Founded in 1950 and based in l’Alcúdia, Istobal has extended its reach into the Chinese and American markets, supported by a workforce of more than 900 employees. The group maintains a presence in over 80 countries, with ten subsidiaries and four production and final assembly facilities spread across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
In recent years, Istobal has reported a sustained expansion, including a 13.4% growth in 2021 and a rebound to pre-pandemic revenue levels, alongside a 61.2% rise in EBITDA compared with the previous year. The majority of Istobal’s equipment production is destined for export markets, a trend that the new partnership seeks to accelerate as the company digitizes its processes and scales international operations.