Easyfairs Acquires Southern Manufacturing & Electronics
Easyfairs, the world’s largest privately owned exhibition organiser, announced the acquisition of European Trade & Exhibition Services, Southern Manufacturing & Electronics organiser, bolstering its already extensive engineering and manufacturing portfolio incorporating Advanced Engineering and many other brands across Europe.
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is in its 26th edition, having built up an impressive reputation as a critical event for the UK manufacturing technology sector. Taking place from 6 to 8 February 2024 at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, it attracts over 460 exhibitors (representing 600 companies) and 9,000 attendees. It has a unique position as the only large-scale 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, and All About Automation. Advanced Engineering, one of the biggest in the portfolio, has its flagship event at the NEC Birmingham in November. It is the UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals, offering a vital window into the market’s future. Since its acquisition by Easyfairs in 2015, it has cemented its highly respected reputation as a market leader and launched into Belgium and Sweden.
Matt Benyon, Group CEO of Easyfairs, commented: “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.”
A portfolio including these two distinct UK events creates a robust offering to the market, covering the entire engineering and manufacturing value chain. Southern Manufacturing & Electronics has a core of exhibitors displaying machinery, production equipment, electronic production, tooling and subcontracting services. In contrast, Advanced Engineering has its core in product design and engineering, composites engineering and advanced materials. Furthermore, it provides a geographical diversity; with 35% of the 2.6m people who work in UK manufacturing based in the South of England, Southern Manufacturing & Electronics delivers 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, confirmed: “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 drive the next phase in the event’s development.”
Easyfairs will resume full operational running of the event from the end of February 2024.
Read more about Southern Manufacturing here.
