Reed Exhibitions acquires Aviation Division of UKIP Media & Events

Reed Exhibitions has completed the acquisition of all six events of the Aviation division from international events organisers UK Media & Events. The division runs events in the specialised markets of Aircraft Interiors and Aerospace Design and Testing. The principal event in the division is the Aircraft Interiors Expo, which runs in Hamburg, Germany in April. The other main event is Aerospace Testing Europe Expo, which runs in Munich in March. The division also runs an Aircraft Interiors event in Hong Kong in September and a Design and Testing event in California, USA in November.

The acquired exhibitions serve the Aerospace industry, a sector which Reed Exhibitions views as significant for strategic development, and in which it has already achieved a global presence through events such as Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, Helitech and Aviation Expo Latin America. The co-location of Aircraft Interiors Asia Expo with Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong in September 2007 offers an exciting opportunity for customers to access the world’s fastest growing market for civil aviation.

The acquired exhibitions will be organised out of the Reed Exhibitions UK office in Richmond. RX UK CEO, Alastair Gornall said “We have been following the growth of these excellent events for some time and are delighted that we have been able to complete this deal. This acquisition is another key part of our strategic plan to be a major global player in the Aerospace market and we intend to use these shows as a springboard to develop further events to serve the civil aerospace sector.”

Tony Robinson, CEO of UK Media & Events said, “The decision to sell the aerospace events division enables the two key directors of UKIP Media & Events to release capital from the business without involving private equity funds or a floatation. For Reed the events are a perfect strategic fit and we have every confidence that the brands' strengths and the success of the events to date will give Reed an excellent platform for further growth.”

UK Media & Events have agreed to deliver the 2007 spring events – Aircraft Interiors Expo and Aerospace Testing Expo – on behalf of Reed Exhibitions.

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