Reed Exhibitions Acquires Expo Nacional Ferretera

Expo Nacional Ferretera, the largest event in Mexico and the Latin American market serving the hardware, construction and electrical markets, has joined the Reed Exhibitions portfolio of brands and brings with it more than 1,300 exhibiting companies occupying 50,000 square meters and 80,000 buyers from 30 countries who attend the annual event in Guadalajara.

The acquisition of Expo Ferretera, founded in 1989, is the next step in Reed Exhibitions’ strategic expansion into the Mexican market. Expo Seguridad, acquired at the end of 2011, is the largest event in Mexico serving the security and safety industry—and in its second edition under Reed’s ownership this month it will enjoy a 17 percent increase in net square meters and a more than 38 percent increase in attendance. With Expo Ferretera, Reed is now planning on expansion of its infrastructure in Mexico.

“Mexico is an attractive, long-term market for Reed Exhibitions and with these two leading brands—both enjoying synergies with our events in the United States and Brazil—we are in a position to build the infrastructure necessary for developing a business platform to serve the Mexican market and help Mexican companies to expand their businesses internationally,” said Chet Burchett, president of Reed Exhibitions America. “This was the critical step to propel our plans.”

The president of Expo Ferretera, Eduardo Casanova, said Reed Exhibitions matched both commercial expectations and the values upon which he built the show.

“It was important to us that Reed Exhibitions was truly a global organizer, but more importantly that they share many of the same ideals that we do when it comes to delivering customer value. Ultimately we share the mission of delivering an event that provides a positive business outcome for all those who participate,” Eduardo Casanova said.

Nan Walsh, Executive Vice President for Reed Exhibitions in North America, is responsible for managing the business in Mexico. “We are delighted that Eduardo and his staff will remain involved with the event, and together we can grow the event and contribute to the tradeshow industry in Mexico.”

Walsh said the location of Expo Ferretera in Guadalajara is also important.

“It’s a great location for events and we now are operating in both Mexico City and Guadalajara,” she said. “We now have an opportunity to build deeper relationships in two of the country’s most important cities for trade shows and to better participate in the markets we serve today, as well as those we hope to serve in the future.”

“Reed Exhibitions has a long-standing and successful brand in the National Hardware Show® (in Las Vegas),” Casanova said. “They understand the industry space and will certainly add a great deal of value identifying new opportunities for Expo Ferretera.”

The transaction was completed this week. Terms were not disclosed.