Officials for global exhibition organizer Reed Exhibitions, already with 500 events in 39 countries, reported seven new acquisitions in six countries during the first half of 2012.
The new partnerships strengthen the global portfolio of events that cover sectors from global transport and logistics to household products, the medical sector to energy, tourism, mining and hospitality. In Latin America, Reed Exhibitions became the largest exhibition organizer with the full acquisition of Alcantara Machado. In addition, the acquisition of MOVIMAT, South America’s leading intra-logistic trade show taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, further strengthens the portfolio for Reed’s own Global Transport & Logistics Group.
The acquisition also brings the number of events organized in the Americas by Reed Exhibitions to 81, of which 52 are in Brazil. The diversity of the portfolio includes 10 industry sectors ranging from medical to travel, engineering to environment, publishing to property, design to construction, and food to recreation.
“Brazil is a clear opportunity for Reed Exhibitions’ global brands and expertise and we are committed to growing our portfolio through acquisitions to sustain our leadership in the region. Brazil is now our fourth-largest country of business with events in 10 cities and some 250 employees,” said Mike Rusbridge, CEO of Reed Exhibitions.
This month, Reed officials announced a partnership agreement with Turkey’s largest exhibition organizer, TUYAP, which organizes 100 exhibitions in five cities throughout Turkey and owns the Tuyap exhibition halls in Istanbul. The acquisition complements Reed’s existing global portfolio of events in the medical, logistics, food-processing, hospitality and food industries. The strategic importance of this partnership is highlighted by the opportunities it gives Reed to offer stakeholders a presence in Turkey “a growth region of significant importance to us,” said Rusbridge.
The recent announcement of a joint venture partnership with Panorama Exhibitions based in Jakarta adds to the growing portfolio of events organized by Reed Exhibitions Asia Pacific and marks the company’s first step into Indonesia. As the key player in the region, Panorama Group operates events in b2b and b2c sectors, including weddings, construction, franchise, maternity and maritime.
“Beyond the BRIC economies, Indonesia ranks high in the business agenda of multiple industries around the world. Our customers are telling us to bring them to Indonesia and help them find new business. We believe this is the right time to be here,” said Rusbridge.
Reed has made two major acquisitions in China so far this year. Reed Huabo Exhibitions, part of Reed Exhibitions China, acquired the China Daily Use Article Trade Fair in a new collaboration with the CCAGM Exhibition (Beijing) Holdings Co. that will see a new joint venture called Reed Huabai Exhibitions.
With some 3,200 exhibiting booths and now in its 106th edition, the event serves China’s entire household consumables and department-store industries. And with consumer-spending growth in China measured at about 15 percent between 2011 and 2012, the event is set to be China’s largest household product show this year.
China has one of the world’s most lucrative and fastest-growing consumer markets, and Reed Exhibitions organizes some 46 events in the country across ten industry sectors.
At the same time, officials for Reed Exhibitions China, the leading organizer with 34 events scheduled in 2012 across eight industry sectors, also announced a joint venture with the China International Automotive Aftermarket Expo and China Auto Accessories Trade Fair in Zhengzhou. The venture is to be called Reed Hongda Exhibitions. The city of Zhengzhou is strategically critical as it connects the western and eastern Chinese markets. In the short term, Reed aims to enhance the event’s effectiveness by boosting its content and overall presentation. And in the long term, Reed plans to develop the auto show into a landmark annual event in China.
“We plan to effect a significant increase in the number of international exhibitors and buyers by utilizing Reed’s global resources with international offices and extensive sales networks across Asia, Europe, The Middle East and the United States. In recent years, China has seen its automotive industry rapidly expand and become the world’s largest manufacturer and consumer of automobiles,” said Rusbridge.
Reed also acquired a majority stake in All-Energy Australia earlier this year, adding to Reed Exhibitions Australia and its portfolio of eight events in the sustainability and energy sectors. With over 3,600 participants in 2011, the event was launched in 2009 and is the single largest clean-energy event in country. Reed Australia runs 29 events in seven industry sectors, and this new addition adds to Reed’s growing portfolio of alternative energy events in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
“The growing renewables and alternative-energy portfolio is expanding rapidly and All-Energy Australia is another significant addition. Australia’s strong economy and proximity to the fast-developing Asian markets means the country’s clean technology industries are poised for growth,” said Rusbridge.
A joint-venture partnership also has been agreed with Manch Communications based in New Delhi, India. Under the new name of Reed Manch Exhibitions the aim is to grow a portfolio of B2B trade shows dedicated to the warehousing, cold storage, transport & logistics and materials-handling industries fitting the needs of rapidly developing sectors of the Indian economy. The logistics market in India is expected to grow at a rate of 15 percent per year.
Less than a month after the development of Reed Manch Exhibitions, the first show has been announced. The inaugural India Composites Show will serve a market expected to grow by more than 20 percent this year. It also will draw on Reed’s global expertise and strength in the lightweight and non-ferrous materials industries. Reed’s portfolio of events in this sector includes ALUMINIUM and Composites Europe, which will be leveraged to bring international content to the Indian event.
