Financial year 2013 saw Messe Frankfurt make further advances from a strategic and financial perspective as well as expanding its market position among leading international players. The company is

set to end the current financial year with a new sales record of approximately €543 million and profits of over €40 million. At the same time, the foundation is being laid for the coming years.

On presenting the Group's preliminary key figures for 2013 in Frankfurt recently, Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, stated: “We have reached key milestones as regards efficiency and profitability as part of our Messe Frankfurt 2020 strategic programme.”

Growth in sales was recorded in 2013, particularly in Germany, where the company generated an estimated €375 million. As Klaus Münster-Müller, Chief of Finance at Messe Frankfurt, explained: “This was achieved through improved capacity utilisation at our exhibition grounds, through our services and through the comparatively stable economic climate in Germany.”

Overseas sales remain as strong as ever, with consolidated Group sales outside Germany amounting to approximately €168 million, which is on a par with the record levels of the previous year. Foreign business accounts for some 31 percent of overall sales.

These sales trends are also reflected in exhibitor and visitor figures: the 114 trade fairs and exhibitions played host to some 78,500 exhibitors and 3.6 million visitors.

Middle East continues to remain attractive

Middle East subsidiary Epoc Messe Frankfurt, reported a highly successful 2013 season, with their portfolio of exhibitions drawing in 88,685 trade visitors and attracting 4,464 exhibitors. This compared favourably with last year's numbers which indicated that 76,282 trade visitors attended Epoc Messe Frankfurt fairs that attracted 3,720 exhibitors.

This growth underlines the growing attractiveness of the relatively prosperous and quick-growing economies of the region for leading international manufacturers and suppliers.

“Dubai, with its ongoing prosperity, and the Middle East region in general, continues to remain attractive as a significant market for international manufacturers and suppliers who are looking to new markets outside of Europe and North America for sustained business development,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. “Messe Frankfurt trade events have earned a solid reputation as highly representative and finely focused events which serve as a substantial launching and promotional platform for exhibitors looking to engage the regional marketplace.”

Marzin sees potential for further profitability in the Group in the expansion of existing areas of business and expertise, in further domestic and international growth and in the widening of the Group's portfolio, including through acquisitions and equity investments. 

In 2014, Messe Frankfurt aims to reinforce and expand its market position in all business segments. This involves constantly evolving with regard to products and markets.

The Group expects 2014 to be a very busy year for events at its Frankfurt base – for instance, with Light+Building and Automechanika – and a steadily growing international business. As Wolfgang Marzin stresses: “We expect sales to increase further and that we will generate our customary positive earnings.”