Foodex Meatex, the member-owned equipment and services show organiser, has agreed to sell the business to William Reed Publishing, owner of The Grocer and Food Manufacture.

At Foodex Meatex’s agm this week the organisation’s members voted to accept William Reed’s offer, reported in The Grocer two weeks ago (February 19, page 12).

Under the terms of the deal, William Reed will take on the running of next year’s show, which will be held at the NEC from 19 to 22 March 2006.

The publishing company already stages a number of exhibitions including the Food & Drink Expo and Convenience Retailing Show, which take place alongside Foodex Meatex, and owns a portfolio of food and drink industry magazines. This breadth of experience will ensure that Foodex Meatex benefits from a strong marketing campaign and is not simply a stand-alone event, according to group MD Charles Reed.

He said: “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to take on this successful show. With our broad platform of magazines and media we will be able to promote a higher profile for Foodex Meatex and will be seeking to work with the key companies in the industry.”

Foodex Meatex chairman Michael Harris said members would be sad to see the end of a “groundbreaking industry-owned event”, yet proud of the contribution the show had made to the food industry over the last 23 years.

He added: “Clearly our members felt very comfortable that the Foodex Meatex exhibition would be well maintained and developed as part of the William Reed stable."