Andrés López and Jesús Nieto, CEOs of Preving – ABC de Sevilla

Grupo Preving continues to gain size and visibility in the occupational risk prevention sector through a combined strategy of organic growth, adding new clients and products to its portfolio; and inorganic growth, through the acquisition of competing firms. “Our goal is to reach €100 million in revenue within two years, which will make us the leading Spanish-owned company in the market,” says Andrés López, CEO of the company.

History of Grupo Preving

Preving was founded in Badajoz in 1998 and is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Two industrial engineers, university classmates, Andrés López y Jesús Nieto —now CEOs—founded the company together with a third partner, José Rey, who currently serves as chairman. “We realised that a new occupational risk prevention model was being created following the Prevention Law approved in 1995 and the regulation of 1997. Our company was born just as this process was in full swing,” recalls Andrés López.

In an initial phase, Preving grew by expanding its client portfolio year after year, both in Extremadura and in nearby regions such as Andalusia and Madrid, until en 2006 dio un paso más al comprar una firma competidora in 2006 it took a further step by acquiring a larger competing firm, the Seville-based GTP. Following this first transaction, others followed, and in 2015 a new opportunity arose to take a major leap forward when the Government privatised prevention companies linked to occupational accident mutual insurers. “We acquired three of these companies with the support of the private equity fund Corpfin Capital, which backed our project,” notes the CEO.

Grupo Preving remains active with its acquisition plan and has recently added two more firms in recent weeks. “In total, throughout our history, we have integrated 40 companies of different sizes. This has enabled us to achieve a presence across almost the entire national territory, with a network of more than 80 technical branches and a workforce of 1,100 employees, 90% of whom are highly qualified. Our activity is labour-intensive,” he emphasises.

The Extremadura-based group already generates €70 million in revenue and is among the four largest operators in the sector in Spain. “With the new acquisition projects currently underway, we will become the second-largest operator in occupational risk prevention in Spain. As a Spanish company, we will be the leaders,” the executive adds.

Preving provides services to more than 70,000 companies and over 450,000 workers. It covers the entire field of prevention, from technical advisory services on how to implement legal regulations in companies, to occupational medicine, which focuses on monitoring workplace health through periodic check-ups and collective health surveillance programmes. Other business lines include training and consulting.

“Most of our branches are accredited as healthcare centres to carry out on-site medical examinations, and we also have a fleet of 30 mobile health and monitoring units to travel to companies,” explains Andrés López.

Key data of Grupo Preving

• Origins. Preving was founded in 1998 following the new legislation that changed the occupational risk prevention model in Spain.
• Evolution. Growth driven by acquisitions of other companies in the sector has positioned it among the leading players in prevention in the national market.
• Business. With a workforce of 1,100 employees, the Extremadura-based company generates €70 million in revenue and provides services to more than 70,000 companies and 450,000 workers.

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Corpfin Capital y Grupo Preving – Hoy.es