GERMANY - Deutsche Messe announced on June 8th the acquisition of a majority stake in Mexico’s Magna ExpoMueblera. With this move Deutsche Messe expands its footprint in the Americas trade fair market.

Magna ExpoMueblera is an international trade fair for timber processing, woodworking, furniture production and equipment with 22 years in the market. The wood-industry trade fair 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.

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).