Messe München and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) are forming a joint venture in South Africa, which they plan to call bC Expo South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The first bauma Africa will be held in Johannesburg in September 2013. It is being organised by MMI South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Messe München. Subsequent events will then be organised by the new joint venture.

Eugen Egetenmeir, managing director of Messe München, is convinced that the partnership will give bauma Africa added potential. "Our colleagues at AEM have been supporting us in organising the premiere of bauma Africa. We are very pleased that this spirit of co-operation is reflected by the fact that our two companies have founded this joint venture. I am sure that this will allow us to recruit even more exhibitors from North America for the fair in Johannesburg."

AEM president Dennis Slater says the association's first joint venture with Messe München, bC India, has developed "as a model of industry efficiency and effective competition in the global marketplace", and it now looks forward to the new collaboration.

"Africa has great opportunities for economic growth. Recognising this, AEM seeks to support and promote its member companies in North America through the bauma Africa 2013 launch," Slater adds.

Messe München and AEM collaborated in the successful BAUMA CONEXPO SHOW - bC India, which premiered in 2011 over 88,000 sqm (947, 225 sqft.) of exhibition space. When the annual fair was held in February 2013, the amount of exhibition space increased to150,000 sqms (1,614,587 sqft.).

Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world's leading trade show companies. In Munich alone, it organises around 40 trade shows for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. MMI also organises trade shows in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South Africa.

AEM is the North American-based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and represents more than 850 companies in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors. It has an ownership stake in and/or manages several exhibitions, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG.