CMP Japan merges operation with KSS

HONG KONG CMP Asia has merged its Japan operation, CMP Japan, with exhibition organiser Kenko Sangyo Shimbun (KSS) to extend its reach into the Japanese healthcare and food ingredients marketplace. "CMP Asia's strategy is to expand its business in Japan through generic growth and through suitable acquisitions," CMP Japan managing director and CMP Asia senior vice-president Mr Chris Eve said. "It has done the former through recently launching two exhibitions covering the call centre and pharmaceutical ingredients industries." CMP Asia operates in 11 market sectors and its key shows include Food Ingredients Shows held in Singapore and China as well as pharmaceutical events CPhI Japan and CPhI China. CPhI Japan, covering pharmaceutical ingredients, will he held for the first time in April 2002 although the launch of this event is unrelated to the KSS acquisition. "However, there are strong synergies between CMP's existing portfolio and that of KSS which will further strengthen our developments in this sector in the future," Mr Eve added. "The operations of KSS and CMP Japan will be combined into one operating unit under the CMP Japan name." Mr Eve added CMP Asia is interested in further acquisitions. "We will be looking at those that will provide us with an immediate market-leading position in a new industry sector or geographical region," Mr Eve said.