BJI serves the men’s apparel and women’s apparel and accessories markets under the following leading tradeshow brands: AccessoriesTheShow, EDIT, FAME, Moda, MRket and Stitch. These shows run multiple times a year and in some cases are located in the same venues as UBM shows. BJI also operates several websites and publications serving the fashion sector. In 2015, BJI’s revenues were approximately $40m - $33m from Events and $7m from Other Marketing Services.
BJI is highly complementary to UBM’s existing fashion tradeshow portfolio. The combination of BJI and UBM will provide an improved experience for both attendees and exhibitors and generate material synergies in areas such as event operations, property and cross-marketing opportunities, says UBM.
BJI is expected to make a modest post tax contribution this year. In 2017, with a full year of contribution and strong operational and financial synergies, the acquisition will achieve a return on investment in excess of UBM’s weighted average cost of capital, says the company.
Tim Cobbold, CEO of UBM plc, said: “We are delighted to have acquired BJI. This transaction is very much in line with our ‘Events First’, strategy. It adds to our presence in North America and also in the fashion sector, both of which were already strong following UBM’s acquisition of Advanstar at the end of 2014. We see excellent opportunities to deliver an improved experience for customers and to realise the operational benefits which scale will bring.”
