Messe Frankfurt heading to Africa

Johannesburg - Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers, will have a permanent presence in Africa in future.

The Group is acquiring a 56% majority stake in South African trade fair organiser South African Show Services (Sass), based in Johannesburg.

The Sass portfolio includes trade fairs such as the Johannesburg International Motor Show, the Rand Show, the Amid Motorcycle Expo, the Johannesburg Boat Show and the SA Outdoor Lifestyle Show.

The new subsidiary’s portfolio also includes Automechanika Johannesburg, which has been organised under licence by Sass since 2009.

The remaining 44% of shares will continue to be held by the former South African shareholders. The company is to be renamed South African Shows Messe Frankfurt.

The previous South African Show Services management team - Raymond Burke, Pula Dippenaar and Phillip Otto - will remain on board, to be joined by Ute Schuchardt, who is to transfer from Frankfurt to Johannesburg.

"This transaction allows us to further expand our global presence. Our activities in southern Africa demonstrate our firm belief that the future offers a wealth of opportunities for the African continent. We are pleased to be joining forces with such a successful South African company that is ideally acquainted with the local market conditions," said Uwe Behm, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.