The consolidated yield of MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd. (Swiss Exhibition) amounts to CHF 189m, with expenditure before depreciation of CHF 156m and a resulting cash flow of CHF 33m. Depreciation amounted to CHF 23m, with a group profit of CHF 10m. With investments made being in the region of CHF 13m and disinvestments of approximately CHF 20m, there is a resulting cash surplus of CHF 7m. The balance-sheet total of Swiss Exhibition as at Dec. 31, 2001 amounted to CHF 455m, with an equity ratio of 30% and an equity return of 7.25%.
At the stockholders' meeting on May 17, 2002, a dividend payout of 6% - a gross amount of CHF 6 - will be proposed per registered share, each share having a nominal value of CHF 100.
The consolidated result of Swiss Exhibition, subsequent to the merger of Messe Basel and Messe Zürich, covers the period of Schweizer Mustermesse AG or MCH Basel Exhibition Ltd. from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2001 and that of MCH Zurich Exhibition Ltd. and MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd. from Jul. 1 to Dec. 31, 2001.
Successful launch of Swiss Exhibition
"The launch of Swiss Exhibition was a success in every respect," comments Chairman of the Board Robert A. Jeker on the auspicious first business year of Swiss Exhibition. "The financial result is pleasing and can be described as excellent even in international terms. The merger of Messe Basel and Messe Zürich to form Swiss Exhibition was implemented in an exemplary manner. It is already clear now that the merger has led to significant synergies and that it affects operating results positively. This shows how important and appropriate this strategic step was."
"Due to the relatively low market capitalisation and its special status as the only quoted exhibition company, Swiss Exhibition plays a comparatively minor part on the SWX Swiss Exchange," explains Robert A. Jeker. "However, Swiss Exhibition can offer its investors solid values: a healthy financial substance, appealing profitability and a high net asset value - with its state-of-the-art infrastructure - as well as high-quality exhibitions and a realistic potential for growth."
Strong year for events
The strong operating results in 2001 reflect the fact that many exhibitions take place only in odd-numbered years. At its venues in Basel and Zurich, Swiss Exhibition organised 19 exhibitions of its own and hosted 23 guest exhibitions last year. Around 16,000 exhibiting companies took part in these events, which recorded over 1.7m visitors. In addition, around 50 further exhibitions and events were held in the exhibition halls, and over 350 events were mounted at the Convention Center Basel.
If all customer segments are added up, Swiss Exhibition received around 2.5m visitors in the year 2001. The direct and indirect benefits of Swiss Exhibition's activities for the economy can be estimated at approximately CHF 1.5b.
"The World Watch and Jewellery Show BASEL and the international art show Art Basel, which are the world's top events in their respective sectors, were both again able to confirm their leading position, and various other trade fairs and exhibitions were able to boost their statistics compared to the previous year", emphasises Jürg Böhni, Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Exhibition. "Despite the fact that the cyclical and sector-specific framework conditions became increasingly difficult, we are well equipped to tackle these challenges actively and successfully with the pooled competence and potential of Swiss Exhibition."
Dynamisation process in portfolio development
The dynamisation process has been enhanced through the merger with an approach adapted to the needs of clients and the further development of the portfolio - a process that is running at full speed. Around one-third of the projects organised by Swiss Exhibition are in a state of basic realignment. Some concrete examples include the expansion of the World Watch and Jewellery Show BASEL through the incorporation of the Zurich venue, the elimination of past redundancies in the automation and tool industries in collaboration with the guest organiser Reed Messen (Schweiz), the realignment of the entire building exhibition portfolio, as well as the replacement of former exhibitions in the fields of chemistry and environment technology by new and improved projects.
Key figures:
Earnings report
Yield: CHF 189m
Expenditure: CHF 156m
Cash flow: CHF 33m
Depreciation: CHF 23m
Net profit: CHF 10m
Exhibitions
Own exhibitions: 19
Guest exhibitions: 23
Exhibiting companies: 15,800
Net stand area: 637,00 m2
Visitors: 1,712,000
Other events
Various hall rentals: 49
Convention Center Basel: 363
Musical Theater Basel: 142
Portfolio development:
World Watch and Jewellery Show BASEL 2003:
Individual presentations in Basel, geographical presentations in Zurich
Adjustment with Reed Messen
2002: go.automation (Messe Schweiz, Basel)
(to replace the defunct S.A.W. and IH/best)
2002: prodex (Reed Messen, Basel)
(to replace the defunct Intoolex and Fawem)
New development to replace Ilmac and M.U.T.
2002: REACH for process solutions (Basel)
2002: r + d in life Sciences (Basel)
Further development of L' and Pack it in process
Realignment of building exhibition portfolio
2003: Expansion of "odd-numbered" Swissbau (Basel)
2004: Expanded quadrennial HILSA (Basel)
2005: Merged Swissbau/Metallbau (Basel)
Giardina
from 2002: Annual Giardina, alternately in Basel and Zurich
Good results from MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd.is available on the following link below as PDF.
