IHS Markit and Informa exchange business units

IHS MarkitFinancial data company IHS Markit and Informa, the international exhibitions, events, information services and scholarly research group, have exchanged the majority of the IHS Markit Technology, Media and Telecoms intelligence business for Informa’s Agribusiness Intelligence Informa plcgroup.

The agreement values the two exchanged businesses at equivalent EBITDA multiples, with Informa contributing an additional $30 million cash to IHS Markit to reflect the larger EBITDA contribution from the TMT business. IHS Markit will retain RootMetrics, its benchmarking business and a portion of its market intelligence business. Both transactions are expected to close in July 2019 and are subject to customary closing conditions, including US regulatory approval.

IHS Markit confirmed that the transaction will not affect its capital allocation strategy to delever its debt ratio below 3.0x and complete USD 500 million in share repurchases in 2019.

Lance Uggla, CEO of IHS Markit said, “The Informa Agribusiness Intelligence portfolio is a clear extension of our Chemical and Downstream businesses and builds our existing data, pricing, insights, forecasting and news services within our Resources segment. Agriculture is the largest end chemical market in the world and this transaction expands our capabilities into fertilizers and chemical crop protection, while substantively expanding our capabilities in biofuels.”

UK, London

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AgriBriefing rumoured to be up for sale

AgriBriefingBetaville is reporting that agribusiness media, price reporting and intelligence company AgriBriefing is about to be sold by its private equity owners, Lyceum Capital.

AgriBriefing creates and sells prices for eggs, red meat and animal feed and publishes the Farmers Guardian. The company also runs Britain’s largest farm machinery and equipment show – Lamma.

Reports suggest that Lyceum is unlikely to begin a sale process until later this year or early 2019 as it has just appointed Raymond James to carry out a strategic review.

UK, London

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KHL Group acquires Diesel & Gas Turbine Publications

KHL GroupGlobal construction information publisher KHL Group is acquiring the USA-based publisher Diesel & Gas Turbine Publication Group. USA-based D&GTP, founded in 1935 and located in Wisconsin, is a leading publisher of information for the on-highway, off-highway, stationary and marine engine-powered equipment markets. It focuses on the construction and agriculture, power generation and commercial vehicle equipment sectors through its North American magazine Diesel Progress and globally through Diesel Progress International. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

D&GTP directors Mike Osenga and Mike Brezonick have built an international reputation for their magazines, directories and websites. They will continue to lead the company while working closely with Trevor Pease, KHL Americas’ President and James King, Managing Director of KHL Group.

James King explained, “This is a fantastic opportunity for KHL to grow by acquiring three market leading publications, digital media and directories. Diesel Progress has a great brand, great heritage and is run by great people. We will build upon the company’s clear strengths and make it even stronger. Massive technological and environmental changes are underway in the design of engine powered equipment. A trusted source of global information is needed now more than at any time in the past.”

UK, Wadhurst & USA, Waukesha, WI

Penton Media acquires Farm Progress From Fairfax Media for $80M

Penton Media has acquired Farm Progress from Fairfax Media Limited of Sydney, Australia. The acquisition more than doubles Penton’s position in agriculture, which becomes the company’s largest sector group. The purchase price was $79.9 million before certain adjustments.

Farm Progress features four of the industry’s leading farm trade events, including America’s largest outdoor farm show, a broadcast division, and many well-established media brands. They join Penton Agriculture’s portfolio of market-leading franchises.

“Our investment is supported by several inarguable global economic trends including rising demand for nutrition, limited arable land and water, and strong export potential for agriculture products, capital equipment and related production technology into developing countries,” said Penton CEO David Kieselstein.

Farm Progress will become part of the Penton Agricultural Group reporting to Penton Senior Vice President, Dan Bagan. Jeff Lapin, president of Farm Progress, will leave the company at the end of the year. Farm Progress will remain headquartered in St. Charles, IL.

USA, New York, NY, & USA, St Charles, IL & Australia, Sydney

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