By Abhinav Ramnarayan
LONDON - Czech payments firm Eurowag plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in London in the coming weeks, according to two sources familiar with the plans, in a deal that could kick off what is expected to be a hectic season for share sales.
The company, which counts private equity firm TA Associates among its owners and offers payments solutions for the transportation industry, is targeting a 2 billion euro ($2.36 billion) market capitalisation, the sources said on condition of anonymity.
Citi, Jefferies and Morgan Stanley are the global coordinators on the deal.
Eurowag provides services such as vehicle fuelling, a unified system of electronic toll payment across a number of European countries and VAT refunds to trucking firms in 30 countries.
The company's core customers are small companies with one to five trucks, which make up 80% of the industry and are in strong demand as Britain and other countries face a severe shortage of truck drivers that is disrupting supply chains.
Eurowag seeks to connect businesses and shipping companies with small trucking businesses in a similar manner to the way Uber connects drivers to customers, chief executive Martin Vohanka said.
"The trucking industry faces a big disruption, an 'Uberisation', and that's what Eurowag is looking to do - except it is for trucking companies," he told Reuters, although he declined to comment specifically on any listing plans.
Vohanka, who founded the business in 1995, owns a majority stake, while TA Associates took a stake of almost 33% in 2016.
Eurowag revenues in 2020 were 125.5 million euros, with core earnings of 57 million, the company said.
