Canadian PE firm Onex to buy Nielsen Expositions for $950 mn

Canadian private equity company Onex Corp today said that it is acquiring TV ratings firm Nielsen Holdings N.V.'s expositions business for $950 million in cash.

Based in California, Nielsen Expositions produces more than 65 business-to-business tradeshows and conference events each year across nine diversified end-markets, including general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, jewelry, and photography.

Nielsen Expositions has approximately 240 employees and generated revenues of approximately $183 million in 2012.

''This is an exciting development in the history of the Nielsen Expositions business,'' said David Loechner, president of Nielsen Expositions. ''Onex' experience and successful track record in executing similar corporate carve-outs and building those divisions into industry-leading businesses position it as a strong partner.''

''Nielsen Expositions' strength in the US business-to-business tradeshow industry is evidenced by its high renewal rates, long-standing exhibitor relationships, and the brand strength of the underlying shows,'' said Kosty Gilis, an Onex managing director.

''Nielsen is committed to investing in and developing capabilities across our Watch and Buy segments,'' said Brian West, CFO of Nielsen. ''Divesting the Expositions business allows us to focus on these core areas that provide our clients with a comprehensive understanding of consumers while providing more flexibility to return capital to our shareholders over time.''

Toronto-based Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms. The company has approximately $15 billion of assets under management, including $5 billion of proprietary capital, in private equity, credit securities and real estate.

Onex invests its proprietary capital directly and as a substantial limited partner in its Funds.

Onex' businesses have assets of $44 billion, generate annual revenues of $37 billion and employ approximately 243,000 people worldwide.