Easyfairs, the world’s largest privately-owned exhibition organiser, has acquired European Trade & Exhibition Services, the organiser of
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics, bolstering its already extensive engineering and manufacturing portfolio of exhibitions that includes
Advanced Engineering as well as many other brands across Europe. It is a significant acquisition that provides a complete and complementary portfolio of events for the UK manufacturing industry.
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is in its 26th edition, having built up an impressive reputation as a key event for the manufacturing technology sector in the UK. Due to take place from 6-8 February 2024 at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, the show has attracted over 460 exhibitors (representing 600 companies) and expects to welcome around 9,000 visitors through the door. The show has a unique position as the only large-scale annual industrial engineering event in the South of England.
Easyfairs has a strong track record of delivering 30 industrial events across nine countries, including
Advanced Engineering,
Advanced Manufacturing,
All About Automation and many others.
Advanced Engineering, one of the biggest in the portfolio, has its flagship event at the NEC Birmingham in November and is the UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals. Since its acquisition by Easyfairs in 2015, the show has cemented its highly respected reputation as a market leader, and has since launched into Belgium and Sweden.
Matt Benyon, Group CEO of Easyfairs, said: “
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is a perfect strategic fit for our growing portfolio; and as part of an established stable of industry-leading events, the event’s future development and its loyal exhibitor and visitor base that has been built up over the last 30 years will be in very safe hands.”
Geographical diversitySouthern Manufacturing & Electronics has a core of exhibitors displaying machinery, production equipment, electronic production, tooling and sub-contracting services; where
Advanced Engineering is centred more in product design and engineering, composites engineering and advanced materials. Furthermore, it provides a geographical diversity; with 35% of the 2.6 million people who work in UK manufacturing based in the South of England,
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics provides a critical hub for the industry.
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics has built up over the years as a family business, led by founders Phil Valentine and Jo Valentine and with a family team working with them. Alison Willis, managing director of Easyfairs UK, said: “Phil and Jo will remain closely involved in the event as consultants, and we very much look forward to working with them and the rest of the family on the continuing growth and success of the event. The knowledge and experience that the Valentine family bring, combined with the strength of Easyfairs pan-European network of industrial trade shows, our advanced technology platform, and the obvious synergies within the Easyfairs portfolio will certainly drive the next phase in the event’s development.”
Phil Valentine added: “We could not be more delighted to reach this agreement with Easyfairs. As a family business, founded exactly 30 years ago, we were always going to be cautious to choose the right company to take the event forward, as and when we were in a position to sell. We have built a strong relationship with Matt and the team at Easyfairs over many years; we are therefore confident that there is a close synergy with the values of our businesses, despite the difference of scale, and it gives me great confidence and pleasure that
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is in the right hands for the future.”
Easyfairs will take over full operational running of the event from the end of February.