The FER show in Madrid in September was to be the last industry event which the iconic Spanish industry giant Joaquin Franco was to attend. A frail Franco spent a few hours at the show. Yesterday he died after a long illness.
Together with his brother Jesus, Franco entered the industry in 1965 and 10 years later founded Recrativos Franco. The company was to become one of the largest manufacturing and operating companies in Spain.
There were many milestones along the road for the Franco brothers, but the most notable was the formation in 1980 of what was to become a major international operating company, Codere, which they formed jointly with the Martinez Sampedro family. The Franco brothers remained with this company until 2006 when they sold their shares in the operation to concentrate on game development.
At the Andalucia show in Malaga this year, Joaquin Franco was named ‘Best Businessman of the Gaming Sector’ for his outstanding efforts within the Spanish gaming machine industry.
The funeral will take place this evening, November 10, at the Almudena Cathedral crypt in Madrid.
