Reed Exhibitions, a division of RELX Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mack Brooks Exhibitions in a move that will add an outstanding line-up of industry-leading brands to its global portfolio. It also promises access to innovation and new value in both face-to-face and digital formats for the more than 175,000 Mack Brooks customers around the world.

Mack Brooks Exhibitions, based in St. Albans, United Kingdom, was established in 1965 and features more than 30 business-to-business events in 14 countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, serving nine industry sectors. Flagship brands include EuroBLECH (sheet metal working technology); inter airport (airport infrastructure and technology); Fastener Fair (fastener and fixing technology); Chemspec (fine and speciality chemicals); RAILTEX (rail infrastructure and technology); ICE Europe (paper, film and foil converting); CCE (manufacturing and converting corrugated and cartonboard); PSE Europe (plastics) and InPrint (print technology for industrial manufacturing). A broad programme of geo-cloning has successfully positioned many of these brands and related adjacencies outside Germany and the United Kingdom to include a presence today in countries including France, Italy, the United States, Mexico, China, Singapore, Thailand, India and Turkey.

Stephen Brooks, Chairman of Mack Brooks, said: “I am delighted for our customers and staff and extremely positive about the future of Mack Brooks as part of Reed Exhibitions. Our events and customers will benefit tremendously from Reed Exhibitions’ global reach, experience in delivering customer value and investment in technology. I am proud of the business we have built and happy to see it in such experienced hands for the next chapter of its evolution.”

“Mack Brooks is an excellent fit with Reed Exhibitions’ existing portfolio and the combination of the two businesses will deliver value for all stakeholders, including customers and staff,” said Chet Burchett, CEO of Reed Exhibitions.

“Mack Brooks is widely recognised as a market leading exhibitions organiser and bringing these shows together with Reed Exhibitions’ own strengths in delivering customer value and innovation represents an exceptional opportunity. For customers, we will be able to add value through capabilities such as our International Sales Group, innovative digital tools and increasingly sophisticated customer matchmaking programmes. For employees, Reed Exhibitions will provide exciting new opportunities. The acquisition is in line with our organic growth driven strategy, supported by acquisitions of targeted show portfolios that are natural additions to our existing business,” Burchett said. “We will be delighted to welcome the Mack Brooks team to Reed Exhibitions and look forward to working together to deliver ever-greater value for all our customers.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory consents and is expected to close during the first half of 2019.