Saba closed a total of 24 new operations in 2022, incorporating almost 32,000 spaces into its parking network. The group led by Josep Martínez Vila also renewed 64 contracts, agreements representing more than 38,000 spaces. At the close of last year, Saba was present in 180 cities in nine countries: Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Chile, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Andorra. In the different markets where it operates, it manages more than 333,000 spaces in 950 car parks.
One of the markets with special prominence for Saba in 2022 was the United Kingdom. In this market, the company's most notable operation last year took place, with the award of the five-year contract to manage the car parks of Transport for London stations, the public body responsible for the transport network of the British capital, including metro, bus, taxis, trams and some train lines. The contract with Transport for London includes the management of 79 car parks, with 10,720 spaces, all of them with a barrier-free system, which, according to the company, provides agility for vehicle entry and exit.
In addition to this operation, Saba renewed in the United Kingdom the management contract for six underground car parks in the City of London, with 1,721 spaces. It also secured contracts at the Royal United Hospitals in Bath and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, and the management contract for the car park of the new Unity Place offices in Milton Keynes, the headquarters of Banco Santander in the United Kingdom which is currently under construction and will have 855 spaces.
With notable operations also in Italy, Portugal, Germany, the Czech Republic and Chile, Saba was awarded in Spain, by the Port Authority of Seville, the concession contract for the Muelle Delicias car park (270 spaces). It also closed an agreement for the remodeling and improvement of the Plaza de Europa car park in Platja d'Aro, a project in which the company has invested 1.8 million euros. Globally, Saba has more than 2,000 people on its staff.
The company, which invoiced 274 million euros in 2022, belongs to Criteria, the holding owned by the La Caixa Banking Foundation, which in recent months has been negotiating a merger between Saba and the Belgian group Interparking, which would allow the creation of a European giant in parking. The operation, however, is now up in the air after negotiations have cooled, according to Expansión.