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Autostrade Group
History of the Autostrade Group
In 1950, a company called Autostrade Concessioni e Costruzioni
S.p.A. is founded by IRI. This company, together with other large
industrial groups, will play a leading role in post-war reconstruction
and the economic boom of the 1960s.
In 1956 the first convention is signed between Autostrade and ANAS for
the construction and management of the main north - south artery on the
Italian peninsula, the Autostrada del Sole (A1 Milan - Naples) with a
length of over 800 km.
In 1963 Autostrade launches the first Eurobond issued in Europe.
In 1964 the Autostrada del Sole is completed and inaugurated.
In 1982 the Autostrade Group is founded and manages a network of more than 2600 km.
In 1987 Autostrade Concessioni e Costruzioni S.p.A. is quoted on the Italian Stock Exchange and is part of the Mib30 index.
In 1990 the company introduces the first dynamic toll payment system in
the world, Telepass which today has more than 4 million users which
represent approximately 50% of the European market.
In 1992 Autostrade participates in the first toll motorway project in
the United Kingdom, the M6 Toll in Birmingham which is forecast to
enter into operation at the end of 2003.
In 1995 Autostrade constructs the first privately financed toll motorway in the United States, the Dulles Greenway in Virginia.
In 1999 Autostrade is successfully privatised by the Italian government to create the largest company in the sector in Europe.
In 2002 Autostrade is awarded a 10-year concession by the Austrian
government to construct and manage the first multilane free-flow toll
system applied on a large scale to 2000 km of roads and motorways in
Austria. Other examples of multilane systems can only be found in
Toronto and Melbourne but on a limited scale (50 - 100 km). The system
came into operation in January 2004.
During 2003 the group completed a series of operations to restructure
the shareholding structure, to define a new organisational model and to
balance financial resources. Specifically:
In February 2003 the Public Offer for Sale issued by the holding
company, Newco28 S.p.A. is successfully completed thus strengthening
the control of the main shareholder, Schema28.
From 2003 the new organisational structure of the group is fully efficient as specified in the "Mediterranean Project".
In September 2003 restructuring of the group is completed with the
merger of Autostrade S.p.A. with Newco28 and the listing of the merged
company, Autostrade S.p.A. on the stock exchange (September 2003)
During December 2003 the M6 Toll motorway in Birmingham enters into operation as specified in the construction contract.
During May 2004 Autostrade completes the issue of debenture loans worth
6.5 billion Euro to finance part of the long term debt of the group at
more favourable conditions. The international agencies Moody's and
S&P awarded the issue a credit rating of A3 and A, respectively.
This is the highest rating awarded to a private Italian group. The
Autostrade issue is the largest of the year on the European market and
is part of the Global Medium Term Note issues programme, approved by
the company for a total of 10 billion Euro to finance group
investments.
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