Leading companies in Spain: Success stories with humble beginnings that made it to the Ibex 35
The Ibex 35 is the reference stock index for the Spanish stock market, made up of the 35 most liquid companies listed on the four Spanish stock exchanges: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia. These companies represent the main sectors of the Spanish economy, including finance, industry, energy and services.
In this article, we are going to tell the origin of 5 Ibex 35 companies, from their humble beginnings to their current position as leaders in their respective sectors.
Inditex
Inditex is the largest fashion company in the world, with more than 7,000 stores in 96 markets. Its origin dates back to 1975, when Amancio Ortega opened a small clothing store in A Coruña, Galicia. Ortega began his business selling clothes at affordable prices, and quickly became popular with Spanish consumers.
In 1985, Ortega opened his first Zara store in La Coruña. Zara became one of the most successful fashion brands in Spain, and in 1988, Inditex went public.
In the following decades, Inditex continued to expand internationally. The company opened stores in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, and began to acquire other fashion brands, such as Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear and Bershka.
Today, Inditex is one of the most valuable companies in the world. The company employs more than 170,000 people worldwide, and its sales exceed 70 billion euros.
Iberdrola
Iberdrola is the largest electricity company in Spain, and the second largest in Europe. Its origin dates back to 1907, when the Spanish Hydroelectric Society was founded. The company began its activity generating hydroelectric power in northern Spain, and quickly became a leading electricity supplier in the country.
In 1992, Iberdrola merged with Hydroelectric Cantabrian to form Iberdrola Generación. The company continued to expand internationally, and in 2008, it merged with Scottish Power to form Iberdrola.
Today, Iberdrola is a global company with operations in more than 30 countries. The company generates energy from a variety of sources, including hydroelectric, wind, solar and nuclear.
Santander Bank
Banco Santander is the largest bank in Spain, and the fourth largest in Europe. It was founded in 1857, when Banco de Santander was founded in the Cantabrian city of the same name. The bank began its activity by providing financial services to companies and individuals in the region. In the following decades, it expanded its operations nationally and internationally. The company acquired other banks in Spain, Europe and Latin America, and became one of the world’s leading financial institutions.
Today, Banco Santander has operations in more than 40 countries. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services, including commercial banking, investment banking and private banking.
BBVA
BBVA is the second largest bank in Spain, and the sixth largest in Europe. Its origin dates back to 1857, when Banco Bilbao Vizcaya was founded in Bilbao, the Basque Country. The bank began its activity by providing financial services to companies and individuals in the region.
In the following decades, BBVA expanded its operations both nationally and internationally. The company acquired other banks in Spain, Europe and Latin America, and became one of the world’s leading financial institutions.
Today, BBVA has operations in more than 30 countries. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services, including commercial banking, investment banking and private banking.
Telefónica
Telefónica is the largest telecommunications company in Spain, and the fifth largest in the world. In 1924, the Spanish National Telephone Company was founded. The company began its activity providing fixed telephone services in Spain.
In the following decades, Telefónica expanded its operations both nationally and internationally. The company acquired other telecommunications companies in Spain, Europe and Latin America, and became one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies.
Today, Telefónica has operations in more than 50 countries. The company offers a wide range of telecommunications services, including landline, mobile, broadband and television.
