Messe Frankfurt, the third largest trade fair organizer in the world, announced its merger with Dubai-based EPOC to form a new company called EPOC Messe Frankfurt. The new company has been established to tap the expanding trade fair business in the Middle East, enhance standards of existing exhibitions and explore new areas for the Arab market, according to a company press release.
The formation of EPOC Messe Frankfurt marks the German parent company’s first major foray into the fast growing trade fair and exhibition scenario in the Middle East and is a significant step in its global expansion plan.
Member of Messe Frankfurt’s Board of Management, Michael Peters, said: “Messe Frankfurt regards this merger with EPOC as a strategic step to make inroads into the trade fair industry in the Arab World. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of international trade fairs and exhibitions in the Gulf and Middle East in recent years and we feel that this is the right time to explore opportunities in this region.”
“Germany has been a pioneer in hosting some of the most reputed trade fairs in the world. Historically, the city of Frankfurt is known as the oldest trade fair city in the world, having hosted history’s first-ever fairs as early as the 12th century. Today, 16 of the world’s leading fairs are held at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Center. Messe Frankfurt has been continuing this tradition by taking the German trade fair expertise to the farthest corners of the world. Its leadership status is proved by its record revenues which stood at Euro 318 million in 2001, with a record profit of Euro 28 million,” he added.
Dr. Peters explained that, EPOC Messe Frankfurt would initially be managing a portfolio of trade fairs in Dubai with a focus on consumer goods. “Our ultimate goal is to expand our base in this important market by enriching the existing exhibitions, and more importantly, sounding out new themes customized to suit the Arab markets.”
The existing trade fairs that will be managed by EPOC Messe Frankfurt are Hardware and Tools, Houseware and Hometech, Materials Handling and Distribution, Toy Fair, Autotech and GardenX.
Messe Frankfurt, which organized over 100 events worldwide in 2001, reported revenues of Euro 318 million. During the year, 36,098 exhibitors and 2.2 million visitors attended the 38 fairs, exhibitions and public events in Frankfurt. Outside Germany, the company’s subsidiaries organized a total of 48 fairs in Europe, Asia, America and Africa. At the end of 2001, Messe Frankfurt had 11 foreign subsidiaries, which were joined by new ones in Paris, Shanghai and Moscow in the first half of 2002 plus 49 Representative offices worldwide. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
