(R-L) Dr Andreas Gruchow, member of the managing board, Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover; Dr Christoph Beumer, chairman of the CeMAT executive committee; and Brigitte Mahnken, CeMAT spokeswoman at Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover.

Deutsche Messe AG is embarking on an ambitious growth campaign that has increased revenues and sustained profitability as its main goals. It is aiming for a EUR 400 million (USD511 million) revenue target.

Chairman Dr Wolfram von Fritsch says the new targets were outlined to the supervisory board last month. "Our 400pro program has two key components. First, we aim to grow our revenues beyond the EUR400 million (USD511 million) mark by 2017 at the latest. Second, from 2017 on, we plan to operate profitably on a sustained basis."

Deutsche Messe's 2012 Annual Report was presented at the meeting and the company's current performance was discussed.

Deutsche Messe recorded revenues of EUR251.3 million (USD321 million) in 2012 - nearly EUR20 million (USD25.5 million) more than forecast. Accordingly, at EUR19.8 million (USD25.3 million), the company's net loss for the year was significantly lower than had been anticipated.

"Deutsche Messe performed well above expectations in 2012. This has brought us significantly closer to our target of achieving a positive result on a four-year cumulative basis from 2011 on. We will deliver what we have promised," von Fritsch says.

The year 2012 was characterised by lower revenues because of it being an even-numbered year, in which HANNOVER MESSE traditionally features a smaller line-up of trade fairs (due to those on a biennial cycle staged only in odd-numbered years), while at the same time, Deutsche Messe's calendar featured fewer large-scale events overall.

Deutsche Messe staged a total of 105 events in 2012, 43 of which were held outside of Germany. More than 47,300 companies exhibited at these events, which attracted over 3.4 million visitors. At more than EUR50 million (USD63.9 million), total revenues from Deutsche Messe's international operations reached a new record high.

Turkey and China, in particular, performed significantly above expectation. Deutsche Messe's subsidiaries in Russia, India and Australia also achieved increases. In the USA, Deutsche Messe successfully launched the Industrial Automation North America trade fair in Chicago.

Last year also saw Deutsche Messe make two strategically important acquisitions. The company expanded its industrial surface technology portfolio by taking over the parts2clean trade show. It also purchased a 90% controlling interest in Mannheim-based Messe Management GmbH, effectively adding HR and recruitment to its trade fair portfolio.

Deutsche Messe is expecting to generate a profit of more than EUR10 million (USD12.8 million) from revenues of over EUR310 million (USD396 million) in 2013.

An important prerequisite for achieving the company's goals is an ongoing project to replace the 52-year-old exhibition halls 19 and 20 along the northern perimeter of the Hannover Exhibition Center. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

Deutsche Messe is also planning to step up its international expansion efforts, further grow its Hannover-based portfolio of flagship fairs, enhance its range of exhibitor and visitor services and increase its digital business.

The next CeMAT will take place in Hannover, Germany from 19-23 May 2014, under the slogan "Smart - Integrated - Efficient".