Deutsche Messe enters Mexican market with majority stake in Magna ExpoMueblera

Effective 8 June 2016, Deutsche Messe has acquired a majority stake in Magna ExpoMueblera in a key move that expands its footprint in the Americas trade fair market. The acquisition gives Deutsche Messe a presence in Mexico to match its lineup in the USA, Canada and Brazil.

ExpoMueblera is an international trade fair for timber processing, woodworking, furniture production and equipment. It has been a staple of the Mexican wood-industry trade fair market for 22 years and is the undisputed leader in its segment. The show will next be held at the Centro Banamex exhibition center in Mexico City from 18 to 21 January 2017.

“The deal marks a major milestone in Magna ExpoMueblera's development and enables the show to grow its position in the Mexican market as a leading trade fair for the timber processing and woodworking industries. It also means that Magna ExpoMueblera is now a member of the WOODWORLD stable of trade shows that Deutsche Messe and its forestry and wood industry partners already operate in Russia, France, South Africa and China,” commented Deutsche Messe Managing Board member Dr. Andreas Gruchow. Magna ExpoMueblera focuses on the Mexican market, where it is an important facilitator of exports to North and Central America. It is therefore an excellent fit for Deutsche Messe's global network.

Deutsche Messe aims to enlarge its offering for the forestry, sawmill technology and wood panel industries so that it encompass products, machinery and equipment for all segments of the wood value chain, from forestry and wood-based construction, right through to the furniture industry and industrial manufacturing of finished wood products.

“As well being part of a push to expand our woodworking-industry portfolio, the acquisition was a carefully calculated decision to enter the Mexican market. We also aim to expand our offering in Central America - a region in which Deutsche Messe sees considerable potential for growth in these and other theme areas,” Gruchow remarked in explanation of the strategic objectives behind the deal.

The flagship of Deutsche Messe's worldwide portfolio of wood-industry trade shows is LIGNA, which it operates in Hannover, Germany, in partnership with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). LIGNA is the world's leading trade fair for wood-industry machinery, plant, tools and equipment. No other show offers such in-depth, comprehensive coverage of products and solutions for all areas of the wood value chain. All the global market leaders exhibit at LIGNA.