New York, NY – Apparel magazine and its portfolio of three events, a web site and e-mail newsletter have been sold by VNU Business Media, a division of VNU Inc., to Edgell Communications, Inc. The Apparel portfolio was no longer a strategic fit for VNU, but enhances Edgell’s position in the retail and consumer goods market. Edgell publishes several B2B magazines, directories and research reports for the retailing and hospital technology industries and is expanding its conference and event portfolio.
“We are excited about the acquisition of Apparel for a number of reasons, including their market-leading presence and the continued high growth expected in the global apparel market,” says Gerry Ryerson, President of Edgell.“Additionally, the acquisition of this well-positioned magazine, event and new media portfolio is a strong start to our near- to mid-term aggressive growth strategy,” he says.
In addition to Apparel magazine, the portfolio includes an Executive Forum, a specialized event which draws roughly 35 leading executives from the industry, and the Technology Conference, which attracted 250 attendees last year. The group has also expanded into China with the 2004 launch of the China Symposium and Sourcing Fair.
The event assets represent 20% of the portfolio’s revenue, according to Richard Mead, Managing Director of the Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc., (JEGI), which represented VNU in the transaction.
Edgell Communications is based in Randolph, NJ but intends to keep the Apparel team intact and situated in its current Columbia, SC office.
Reach Gerry Ryerson, President, Edgell Communications, Inc., at (973) 252-0100 x 233 or gryerson@edgellmail.com; Richard Mead, Managing Director, Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc., at (212) 754-0710 or richardm@jegi.com.
