UBM plc, a leading global events-led marketing services and communications company, announced June 3 the acquisition of Hospitalar, Latin America’s largest healthcare tradeshow and one of Brazil’s top five tradeshows, from SPFC Group.
“We are delighted that Hospitalar is joining UBM Brazil. The show has grown into a huge success over the last two decades and its future prospects are strong,” remarked Francisco Santos, Chairman of SPFC.
Featuring 1,250 Brazilian and international exhibitors and attracting approximately 95,000 attendees, Hospitalar 2015 was the 22nd edition of the International Fair of Products, Equipment, Services and Technology for Hospitals, Laboratories, Pharmacies, Health Clinics and Medical Offices. Taking place May 19-22 at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, the event served the large Brazilian healthcare industry where the expansion of private healthcare for a growing, more affluent middle class shows continued growth. The show generated approximately R$32m.
“We are delighted to have acquired Hospitalar. It is a ‘must-attend’ show with an increasingly international customer base and will further strengthen our position in Brazil,” said Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM plc. “It also fits very neatly with the wider UBM portfolio and we are excited about the opportunity to leverage UBM’s strong position in the Medical Device and Manufacturing sector. We are already planning to co-locate a MD&M show alongside Hospitalar 2016.”
Hospitalar joins UBM’s portfolio of events in Brazil including Marintec South America, Food Ingredients South America, Concrete Show South America, NT Expo and Intermodal South America. The acquisition will make UBM the third largest events organizer in Brazil.
Following completion, Hospitalar staff will move over to UBM Brazil and the founders of the show will remain involved in a non-executive capacity for at least two years.
The return on investment from the transaction is expected to exceed UBM’s weighted average cost of capital in the first full year of its ownership.
