Messe Frankfurt further expands its international network with the acquisition of Forest Exhibitions Ltd. in Godalming, Surrey on March 1, 2018. The group now has its own subsidiary in the United Kingdom.
The purchase of Forest Exhibitions Ltd. means the 100 percent acquisition of Automechanika Birmingham, which the company has now firmly established in the UK to date as a licensee.
Automechanika Birmingham ran for the first time in 2016, with more than 500 exhibitors – the largest launch event for an Automechanika since the inaugural Frankfurt show. The following year’s event recorded a marked increase in exhibitor figures and exhibition space, with 800 companies showcasing their products and services to over 12,000 visitors.
Last year Automechanika Birmingham collected no fewer than four industry awards, including Best Trade Show at the prestigious exhibition industry AEO Awards. Detlef Braun, the member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt responsible for the Mobility & Logistics business field, which includes the trade fair brand Automechanika with 17 shows in 15 countries, commented: “With our subsidiary in the United Kingdom, we aim to continue helping Automechanika Birmingham go from strength to strength.”
The former Event Director of Forest Exhibitions Ltd, Simon Albert, has been named as Managing Director of the new Messe Frankfurt subsidiary. Albert commented “I am excited and proud to be part of one of the largest trade fair companies in the world and to contribute to its success from the UK. Being a full part of the Messe Frankfurt family will only strengthen our ability to put on a successful event for exhibitors and visitors alike. Because of our historic close working with Messe Frankfurt, there will be no material operational changes to the way we work with our customers, partners and suppliers.”
Albert succeeds Rob Sherwood, whose company Sherwood Event Services Ltd. will continue to represent all of Messe Frankfurt’s international trade shows.
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