Trade Press Media Group Inc (TPMG), a 103-year-old business-to-business media company, has been acquired by FORUM MEDIA GROUP, headquartered in Merching, Germany. While TPMG CEO and owner Bob Wisniewski is retiring, all other employees remain with the company, which will continue to operate out of Milwaukee.
“After almost 30 years as CEO and owner, I’m excited and pleased to turn over control of our company to FORUM MEDIA GROUP, which has a global footprint with operating subsidiaries in 17 countries,” said Wisniewski. “For Trade Press staff members, I’m also particularly pleased to have found a buyer committed to maintaining the Milwaukee office, positioning it as their foothold for entering the U.S. market. Forum is a company that is known for its excellence, mirroring our own firm’s reputation for market leadership and for quality.”
TPMG serves the facilities management market with the facilities management market with Building Operating Management, Facility Maintenance Decisions, FacilitiesNet.com, National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) family of conferences and trade shows As part of this transaction, FORUM MEDIA GROUP purchased 100 percent of Trade Press Media stock and also the joint venture that was created in 2000 by Trade Press Media and ROC Exhibitions, Lisle, IL to organize and produce the NFMT Conference & Exposition and the Critical Facilities Summit.
TPMG's other media brands include HealthcareFacilitiesToday.com, CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Sanitary Maintenance, Contracting Profits and Progressive Railroading,
“The acquisition marks an ideal starting point for FMG’s foray into the U.S. market,” said Ronald Herkert, chairman and owner of FORUM MEDIA GROUP. “We are very happy to welcome Trade Press Media Group into the Forum family and look forward to continue together the proud history of this long-standing company.”
Jeffrey J. Schenk, COO of Trade Press Media Group immediately assumes the position of CEO/General Manager. Todd Kotlarek remains Facilities Group Director, and all editorial and sales staff members also remain.
Roland Hradek, supervising Forum board member, said, “For FMG, this is an important milestone towards our vision of becoming a globally recognized media company. I am excited to work with the U.S. team to take advantage of synergies that will drive our continuous mutual growth.” The company will operate as a subsidiary of FORUM MEDIA GROUP. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
