Fiera Milano is growing and studying acquisitions in Italy and abroad

MILAN – Fiera Milano plans a future of growth both on its own feet and through new acquisitions. The group led by Francesco Conciwhich returned above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, now aims to “scaling” on growthand to do so it wants to diversify services and entertainment, but also go abroadalways putting sustainability at the center, and ESG standards in its three facets – attention to the environment, governance and people, who will be involved with a widespread share ownership plan for all employees – in achieving the objectives of the plan .

Average revenue growth of 7% per year

In 2027 the company estimates it will achieve revenues of between 355 and 375 million euros (starting from 283.3 million in 2023), equal to average annual growth of 7%, higher than that of the sector (estimates are 2%). At the end of the plan, the gross operating margin (Ebitda) is estimated between 120 and 130 million euros (from 97.1 million last year). “Our our ambition is to position ourselves among the top five European exhibition operators equipped with venues, through a value proposition that interprets the ongoing transformation and lays solid foundations for future growth – Conci said on the sidelines of the presentation of the 2024-2027 industrial plan, recalling that at the end of 2022 Fiera Milano was in ninth place – The resulting cash generation and financial consolidation will allow us to evaluate growth opportunities that will appear on the market. Through this strategic plan, Fiera Milano becomes an integrated and sustainable system where people, communities and companies meet the future every day“.

Strong cash generation for acquisitions and dividends

Over the course of the plan, i.e. over the next 4 years, one is foreseen cash generation overall between 151 and 171 million of Euro. Of these availability, at least 40 million euros will be allocated to shareholder remuneration in the form of dividends. The remaining liquidity, i.e. between 111 and 131 million euros, will be aimed at supporting growth through external linesand, among which it is already in the crosshairs a company in services, and in particular in the organization of stands (valued between 15 and 18 million euros) not only in the exhibition sector. The further use of debt to finance potential strategic acquisitions is not ruled out.