AW Investment Boutique
Independent Corporate Finance and Real Estate Advisory
Since our founding in 2008, we have been committed to providing high-quality, tailor-made financial advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), refinancings, private equity, and real estate to our clients, which include companies, private equity funds, and family offices.
AW operates across Spain and Europe, with the majority of our transactions being cross-border in nature.
Our objective is to create maximum value for our clients. To this end, in all our engagements we structure our incentives so that they are fully aligned with our clients’ interests.
We take a long-term approach, accompanying entrepreneurs throughout the different stages of their companies, from the early stage, through growth and consolidation, and ultimately to the divestment phase. We are a hands-on team, with the experience, financial and industrial expertise, negotiation capabilities, and sound judgment required to successfully execute investment and financing projects in both the corporate and real estate sectors.
Since our inception, we have built an extensive network of high-quality relationships, including company owners, fund managers, and investing families, which enables us to originate and structure high value-added off-market opportunities.
Executive Team
AW Investment Advisory’s Executive Team has extensive experience in investment advisory, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, raising investment for projects and analyzing investment opportunities.
Carlos Álvarez Wilmanski
Managing Partner - Corporate Finance
Alberto Álvarez Wilmanski - CFA
Managing Partner - Corporate Finance
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board integrates highly qualified people who contribute their experience and talent. AW Investment Advisory also has a wide network of industry experts.
José Carlos Álvarez Tobar
Advisory Board Member
Enrique Santamaria Morales
Advisory Board Member
Borja de Abadal Gámiz
Advisory Board Member
Credentials
In recent years, AW has successfully closed numerous transactions in the field of corporate finance, fundraising for private equity funds, as well as real estate investment.
Below is a selection of operations performed by our team.
AW has advised AGC Glass Europe
a Japanese multinational company, world leader in flat glass manufacturing, in the detailed analysis of the financial restructuring of a strategic supplier.
AW has advised in exclusivity the Spanish manufacturing leader for truck-mounted aerial work platforms Talleres Velilla – MOVEX
to sell the company through a competitive process. The company has been finally sold to the French leader FE Group – France Elévateur
AW has advised Grup Bonanova in exclusivity
on the sale of its gas stations network to the multinational energy company BP
AW has performed a valuation of the cava producer Juvé & Camps to later sell a majority to a large Spanish holding enterprise
AW has raised capital for the Three Hills Capital Solutions IV fund, from independent London investment manager Three Hills, which as of mid-2022 managed €2.5Bn AUM
AW has successfully carried out a part of the fundraising of the investment vehicle Suma Capital Growth Fund II, run by the Spanish independent investment manager Suma Capital
AW has exclusively advised on the sale of the talent representation and influencer marketing agency Bushido Talent, leader in GenZ and TikTok
which has been acquired by Grupo Soy Olivia, owned by Nazca Capital
AW has carried out the audit of the real estate assets of the steel company, leader in steel services Hiemesa
as part of a corporate restructuring operation.
AW has advised the leading US technology platform for monetizing premium content on social media, PretoPay
on the valuation of the company for its subsequent sale.
AW has conducted a real estate audit for the appliance manufacturer Grupo CNA
owner of CATA
as part of a divestment operation
AW acted as exclusive advisor on the sale of a 6,000 sqm income-producing industrial warehouse, leased to an AAA tenant, located in an industrial park in the first ring of Barcelona,
which was acquired by a domestic family office.
AW has been hired on an exclusivity basis to advice the multinational Würth Group
to acquire the distributor of electrical components Grupo Electrostocks which was owned by private equity fund Apax Partners
AW has carried out a thorough market analysis for Vidara (Ravago)
European leader in the distribution of ingredients for animal nutrition and health, feed solutions, active pharmaceutical ingredients for generic and branded laboratories, as well as flavors and aromas.
AW has advised the leader in automatic doors, industrial doors and intelligent access control, Manusa
in the market analysis of new strategic investments of the group.
AW has advised the venture capital fund Collins Capital Advisors, through its investee company Reyes Varón
on the acquisition of the smoked foods company Benfumat
AW has acted as advisor on the preparation of a business plan for the gym boutique La Sala Magali.
AW has provided internationalization services to the Spanish fully-automated electrical panel manufacturer Kuadrotek
AW has conducted a market study for the Dutch company Van Geel Group (as of today Legrand Group)
on its inorganic expansion project in Spain
AW has advised the family investment corporation Levante Capital Partners
on the sale of a residential building in vertical property to a private investor.
AW has advised the holding company Valora
on the execution of its strategic growth plan
AW acted as exclusive advisor to the Japanese multinational and global leader in glass manufacturing, AGC
on the sale of its production unit ATESA to the long-established company VALLS GERMANS
AW has advised Padel Galis, the market-leading company in the manufacturing and installation of padel courts
on its strategic expansion into Bulgaria.
AW has acted as an exclusive advisor on the sale of the Spanish pharmaceutical engineering company IPB Consulting
acquired by the Swiss engineering company Chemgineering
AW has acted exlusively as sell-side advisor of the Spanish automatic barriers manufacturer Clemsa
acquired by the Italian multinational company FAAC Technologies
AW has advised on an exclusive basis the investment corporation Scranton B.V.
in the real estate management of its properties
AW has advised the family-owned real estate developer La Llave de Oro
in identifying strategic assets for its growth.
AW has advised the electrical equipment distribution Spanish leader Elektra Group
on its process of internationalization to India. AW has conducted an in-depth market research
AW has raised a capital increase round of ca. €1.0M for the development of the technology startup SmartSea
AW has advised Grupo Sifu, a leading Spanish group in socially responsible facility services
on the management of real estate assets owned by the group
AW has carried out an analysis for the company specializing in micro-stamping for the automotive sector Usotor
for strategic decision making
AW has successfully participated in the fundraising of Net Zero Ventures, an ESG-focused energy transition fund.
led by Repsol and fund manager Suma Capital
AW acted as exclusive financial advisor to a Barcelona-based family office
on the strategic acquisition of a prime residential building in the Sarrià district of Barcelona.
AW acted as exclusive advisor to the elevator manufacturing and multi-brand maintenance company Aszende
in the acquisition of Lázaro Elevadors.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
We advise business owners
Mandates (Sell-Side)
We work with entrepreneurs who, for various reasons, wish to sell all or part of their shareholding in a company. AW acts as the exclusive advisor throughout the divestment process (sell-side), managing the transaction end-to-end, from the identification of the most suitable potential buyers (domestic or international, industrial or financial), through financial and economic analysis, valuation, preparation of transaction documentation, coordination of the due diligence process, and coordination with legal advisors and other professionals involved, up to the Closing of the Transaction.
Mandates (Buy-Side)
We work alongside entrepreneurs seeking to expand their companies’ activities through the full or partial acquisition of a company, a business unit, or a selected portfolio of assets and liabilities, whether domestically or internationally. AW acts as the exclusive advisor throughout the investment process (buy-side), managing the transaction end-to-end, from the identification of target companies with the strongest strategic fit, through financial and economic analysis, valuation, price structuring, financing structuring, coordination of the due diligence process, and coordination with legal advisors and other professionals involved, up to the Closing of the Transaction.
From Executives to Entrepreneurs (MBO, MBI, BIMBO Transactions)
We also advise entrepreneurial executives who wish to become shareholders in a target company (Management Buy-Out, Management Buy-In, Buy-In Management Buy-Out transactions). We advise on the analysis of the target company’s cash flows and design the optimal acquisition structure.
Refinancing
We advise on the design of the capital structure to maximize enterprise value.
AW works with companies on the design and implementation of capital structures that are best aligned with their cash flow generation capacity. Our engagements range from financial stress situations requiring the rescheduling or restructuring of debt to match repayment capacity, to the redesign of a company’s capital structure to support capacity expansion plans, acquisitions, or entry into new markets.
To this end, AW has a long-standing network of private equity funds with strategies covering equity investments (majority and minority stakes), preferred capital solutions, all forms of debt, as well as hybrid instruments.
We also advise creditors (banks and industrial suppliers) that require a rigorous and independent assessment of the cash flow generation capacity of their clients. Leveraging our financial and industrial expertise, we enable our clients to make the most well-informed financial decisions possible.
Private capital
We have fostered a 360° culture of collaboration with top-tier domestic and international private equity funds.
Mandates (Acquisition / Financing)
We collaborate with private equity funds pursuing strategies that range from debt financing (sponsor-backed and sponsor-less), preferred equity solutions, unitranche financing, structured financing, and growth capital, to equity investments, both minority and majority stakes. We support funds in identifying, analyzing, and executing transactions involving companies that best match their investment criteria.
Primary Fundraising
We raise capital from both institutional investors and family offices seeking exposure to a wide range of private equity strategies. AW leverages the relationship network built over the years to efficiently match capital with investment opportunities.
Secondary Market Sales of Private Equity Fund Interests
At AW, we continuously monitor the investment appetite of both institutional investors and family offices, as well as their liquidity requirements. We act on behalf of both sponsors and investors, identifying suitable counterparties for the sale of interests in private equity funds in the secondary market.
Real Estate
We pursue excellence from origination through to transaction closing.
At AW, we provide comprehensive advisory services in real estate transactions for companies, investment funds, and family offices. Our team of experts is dedicated to supporting clients at every stage of the process, from deal origination to transaction signing. We apply to our real estate advisory services the same standards of excellence and analytical rigor used in M&A transactions. We assess the feasibility of the transaction, the associated risks, and the expected returns, lead the negotiation process, and bring the transaction to a successful close.
We specialize in identifying investment opportunities and in developing tailor-made strategies that maximize the value of each transaction. Our approach includes meticulous coordination of all required specialized professionals to ensure the success of each transaction, including lawyers, architects, appraisers, and financial experts.
We offer specialized advisory services across a wide range of real estate asset classes, both in Spain and the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Our team of experts is fully equipped to provide comprehensive advice in the following asset categories:
- Industrial Facilities: We specialize in factories, manufacturing plants, data centers, and other industrial assets. We understand the specific characteristics and requirements of these asset types and are well positioned to deliver tailored solutions that optimize the operational efficiency and profitability of investments in this sector.
- Logistics Facilities: We also specialize in distribution centers, warehouses, and other logistics facilities, ensuring efficient management and value maximization.
- Commercial: We advise on the acquisition, sale, and leasing of commercial properties, including office buildings, retail units, and shopping centers.
- Hotels: We provide advisory services for the acquisition and development of hotel assets, as well as the selection of the most suitable operator, ensuring these assets generate maximum returns and meet market expectations.
- Residential: We offer advisory services for the development, acquisition, and management of residential properties, including apartment buildings and single-family homes.
- Land: We provide advisory services for the acquisition and development of land, identifying investment opportunities and optimal uses.
With deep knowledge of the real estate market and an extensive network of relationships, AW ensures efficient and effective execution, enabling our clients to make informed and strategic decisions. Our commitment is to deliver advisory services that not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring optimal outcomes in every real estate transaction.
Trust AW to guide your real estate investments with experience, professionalism, and dedication. Our clients are our best endorsement.