Messe Frankfurt and ITE expand in Russia with joint acquisition of Comtrans and Autotrans

Messe Frankfurt is continuing to expand its presence in Russia with the acquisition of a 50 percent stake in Comtrans and Autotrans by its Russian subsidiary Messe Frankfurt RUS.

The remaining 50 percent will be assumed by ITE Expo OOO, the Russian subsidiary of the ITE Group. Comtrans and Autotrans are Russia’s leading trade fairs for commercial vehicles, buses and special vehicles. Once all takeover formalities have been completed, the new Joint Venture organising company will be called ITEMF Expo AO.

Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt Group said: “Russia remains one of the key global markets for the trade fair sector. Comtrans and Autotrans are the most successful commercial vehicle trade fairs in Russia and the CIS covering the entire spectrum of commercial and special vehicles, vehicle parts, transport, warehousing and logistics. This is an excellent basis and both events allow us to strengthen our position in the Russian market substantially.”

Messe Frankfurt has years of expertise organising mobility and infrastructure trade fairs. This future-oriented area will be further expanded with Comtrans and Autotrans. With Automechanika, the leading B2B trade fair brand worldwide, the company has been organising the showcase for the innovations of the international aftermarket since 1971. At present, the Automechanika portfolio consists of 15 events in 14 countries on four continents. The subsidiary Messe Frankfurt Rus currently organises twelve events and employs 40 people in Moscow.

ITE’s Chief Executive Officer, Russell Taylor, said. “Comtrans and Autotrans are the most important events in the Russian commercial vehicle sector. ITE’s and Messe Frankfurt’s international sales and marketing capabilities will give them a further boost. At the same time, we are pleased to be strengthening our partnership with Messe Frankfurt, with whom we have been working successfully for several years on MIMS Automechanika Moscow.”

Since 2000, Comtrans and Autotrans have developed into market leaders in Russia. In September 2013, Comtrans featured 447 exhibitors and was attended by over 25,000 visitors. A total of 160 exhibitors and 4,873 visitors were registered at Autotrans 2014.

The next Comtrans event is scheduled to take place from 8 to 12 September 2015 at the International Exhibition Center Crocus Expo, Moscow.