Messe Frankfurt (HK), a subsidiary of the global trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority interest in A&S Group, a Taiwan-based security industry trade show organiser and integrated media-service provider.
Messe Frankfurt (HK), a subsidiary of the global trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority interest in A&S Group, a Taiwan-based security industry trade show organiser and integrated media-service provider.
The document was signed by Messe Frankfurt, and A&S Group (which includes New Era International Inc, A&S Asia Ltd and A&S Japan) on July 25, 2009. Both parties agreed that all businesses and assets owned by A&S Group will form part of a new company in which Messe Frankfurt will hold the majority interest.
Acquisition will increase Asian profile for Messe Frankfurt's Intersec brand shows
Messe Frankfurt is Germany's largest trade fair organizer and has an extensive global network of subsidiaries, branch offices and international sales partners, giving it a presence in more than 150 countries. The company organizes the highly successful safety and security Intersec brand name fairs in the Middle East, Asia and South America.
Stephan Buurma, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt, said: "We are very excited about our partnership with A&S Group because we believe there are significant synergies between our two companies. The expertise of A&S Group in the security sector, as a trade fair organiser, publisher, online information provider and event service provider, will help us to increase the Asian profile of our Intersec brand shows which bring together a wide range of events for security products and services."
Commenting on the signing, Parson Lee, President of A&S Group added: "We are delighted to join forces with Messe Frankfurt as they are recognised as one of the world's leading trade fair organizers. Their global footprint, experience and professionalism will now enable us to further expand our security trade fairs and themed events to a more international caliber. This will mean added benefits and unsurpassed quality services for our existing and new clients. Messe Frankfurt's international experience and extensive sales network can only benefit our regional and global trade fair exhibitors, buyers and visitors."
Established in Taiwan in 1991, A&S Group has served as an integrated media service provider dedicated to the security industry. Its SecuTech Expo, now in its 13th edition, is the largest international security trade fair in Asia for developing Asian markets, sourcing profitable solutions and forging ODM/OEM partnerships. Its SecuTech Vietnam is also the largest and most professional security show in Vietnam. In addition, the company offers the Global Digital Surveillance Forums held concurrently with their Taiwan and Vietnam shows and as standalone events in Japan and China. This highly respected forum is where security and IT industry market leaders meet to show their latest technologies and solutions to a quality audience.
There are now 11 security magazines published under the title "A&S," in English, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish and Bosnian. In addition, A&S Group operates these websites: SecuTech.com, SecutechVietnam.com, asmag.com (International, China and Taiwan), InformationSecurity.com and GDSFChina.com.
Strong global demand for security equipment
Over the next three years, analysts predict that global demand for security equipment will rise by eight per cent per annum to US$90.5 billion, especially in the underdeveloped markets of Asia. China is expected to become the second largest security equipment market in the world behind the U.S.
Despite the global economic challenges, China and India are still the key marketplaces for the safety and security industry. Demand for high-end security safety and security equipment and technology will be needed in these two countries, particularly for the banking and air transportation sectors.
Commenting on the growing security industry, Buurma said: "By forming a new company with A&S Group we are now perfectly positioned to take advantage of this expanding market which is being partly driven by increased urbanisation and the rising numbers of middle and upper class populations. In addition, new government regulations and policies are requiring security equipment and services to secure borders, people and property."
The brand Intersec of Messe Frankfurt is headed by the annual Intersec in the Dubai. The brand consists of four trade fairs, held in China, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Messe Frankfurt also holds a leading trade fair on security in Argentina, named Seguriexpo Buenos Aires. Further information about the individual events can be obtained from: www.intersec.messefrankfurt.com.