Empowerment-led management buyout of Reed Exhibitions
April 2003
News
Executives of SA's leading exhibition organiser have negotiated an empowerment-led management buyout of the UK-based Reed Exhibitions for an undisclosed sum.
Spearheaded by the doyenne of this country's exhibition industry and former Reed Exhibitions MD, Jo Melville, the buyout will see over 60% of the shares in the new entity - Exhibitions for Africa - in the hands of historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs). In addition, all staff members are also shareholders in the company.
Jo Melville, MD, Exhibitions for Africa
Exhibitions for Africa hosts a number of leading business to business events, with significant international participation, on an annual and biennial basis. These include Computer Faire, Tel.Com, Afribuild/Afriwater, Hostex/Contract Furnishing, Securex, the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape Industrial Trade Shows and the Blue IQ Smart Industry Expo.
The Blue IQ Smart Industry Expo is a targeted economic industry exhibition to showcase domestic and international businesses operating in the Blue IQ identified drivers of the Gauteng economy - smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism, focusing on the following industry categories: Bio-technology, Electronics, Energy Technology and Renewable Energy, Electrical Switchgear, Financial and Auxiliary services, Fluid Power and Air Technology, Information and Communication Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Materials Handling, Machine Tools, Process Control and Automation, and Tourism Infrastructure.
Zeth Malele remains as Chairman, Jo Melville retains her position as MD, Dev Naidoo remains Commercial Director. Aldean Prior and Lynn Chamier become executive directors. Other directors are Ntombi Langa-Royds, Dr Roy Marcus, Masedi Molosiwa and Talib Sadik.
Commenting on the deal, Melville says it is business as usual. "All our events are 100% SA-owned and profitable. Exhibitions for Africa will seek to develop its market leading events in such a way as to parallel the key goals and initiatives of the South African government.
"Our vision is to solicit broader stakeholder support and cooperation to drive increased trade, grow inbound investment, and make a significant contribution to job creation. With our strong empowerment credentials and strategic value of our shows, we are well positioned to achieve this," she explains and points out that the company has already embarked on a marketing drive into Africa.
"There's been increased interest from Africa with a number of delegations and business people visiting our shows. And because our events are targeted at niche industries such as water, hospitality and tourism, IT and telecommunications, infrastructure, manufacturing, transport and building, and security, they are perfectly positioned to play a role and indeed contribute to NEPAD's success," Melville says.
For more information contact Jo Melville, MD, Exhibitions for Africa, 011 886 3734.
Further reading:
BMG achieves GBCSA Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG has achieved Green Building Council South Africa Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification after diverting more than 90% of operational waste from landfill, demonstrating how practical sustainability measures can deliver measurable environmental and commercial benefits.
Read more...
Pump spares and parts for Africa
News
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...
Inspiration for times of change
Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
Read more...
Local energy solutions rewiring resilience across Africa
News Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Engineers across Africa are developing practical, scalable energy and mobility solutions supported by the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Read more...
The gender gap in SA’s engineering sector
News
South Africa’s engineering sector is facing a critical gender imbalance, with women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals compared to 84% of men.
Read more...
Safe removal of the historic US 181
News
Mammoet provided the heavy-lift expertise that helped remove the 2300 ton centre span of the historic US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a precision lift-and-lower method that protected nearby marine environments and reopened navigation channels swiftly.
Read more...
Going Green initiative sees African Group Lubricants adopt electric forklift fleet
News
African Group Lubricants is transitioning most of its forklift fleet to electric power, a move expected to cut diesel consumption by around 85% and improve conditions across its manufacturing facility while delivering a positive return on investment in the near term.
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 aims to ignite the power revolution
News
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 takes place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together ministers, utilities, investors and developers to accelerate energy generation, unlock investment and drive the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...
Major bearing tender for SKF
SKF South Africa
News
SKF has secured a major bearing supply tender from an Algerian steelmaker, reinforcing its position in the metals segment across North Africa.
Read more...
Mining’s decarbonisation journey requires putting ESG commitments into action
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric specialists explain how mining and heavy industry can turn environmental, social and governance commitments into measurable decarbonisation results.
Read more...
printer friendly version