Il semble qu'ils vont encore organiser la DSEi arms fair à Londres à la fin de l'année (l'une des plus importantes du monde), mais cela devrait être la dernière.
Ce retrait se fait avec beaucoup de regrets et de mauvaise volonté (voir le dernier paragraphe de la lettre de Sir Crispin Davis ci-dessous): il montre tout cas qu'une mobilisation sur un tel sujet peut marcher.
Ma page précédente sur la question n'a donc plus de raison d'être. Je remercie tous ceux qui se sont joints à cette action.
We are announcing today that we plan to exit the defence exhibitions business.
Over the last year or so it has become increasingly clear that growing numbers of important customers and authors, particularly in the science and medical markets, have very real concerns with our involvement in this sector. They believe strongly that our presence here is incompatible with the aims of the science and medical communities. I am also very aware this is a view shared by a number of our employees. We have listened closely to these concerns and we have concluded that the long term interests of Reed Elsevier as a leading publisher of science, medical, legal and business content would be best served by withdrawing from defence exhibitions. We intend to complete the withdrawal during the second half of 2007.
We will of course fulfil all our contractual obligations with our partners in the defence business in the interim.
This has not been an easy decision. While the defence exhibitions business is quite small, accounting for around 0.5% of total Group revenue, it is a high quality business, with strong management and good growth. It is an important industry in ensuring countries have effective defence capability, as enshrined in the UN Charter. Our people in Reed Exhibitions have worked very hard to make these businesses successful and run them to the highest standards, for which I would like to thank them. Nevertheless, we believe the growing and genuine concerns of increasing numbers of our customers must be paramount.
Regards
Reed Elsevier announced today that it is to exit the defence exhibitions sector. This portfolio of five shows is part of Reed Elsevier's global Business division and represents around 0.5% of group annual turnover.
Sir Crispin Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier, said :
"Our defence shows are quality businesses which have performed well in recent years. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly clear that growing numbers of important customers and authors have very real concerns about our involvement in the defence exhibitions business.
"We have listened closely to these concerns and this has led us to conclude that the defence shows are no longer compatible with Reed Elsevier's position as a leading publisher of scientific, medical, legal and business content."
Reed Elsevier intends to complete its withdrawal during the second half of 2007, subject to honouring its obligations to partners, customers and other key stakeholders.
- ENDS -
Issued on behalf of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV
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This statement contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and actual results and events could differ materially from those currently being anticipated as reflected in such forward looking statements. The terms 'expect', 'should be', 'will be', and similar expressions identify forward looking statements.
Notes to editors
Reed Elsevier is a world leading publisher and information provider. It is owned equally by its two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The parent companies are listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges, under the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RUK and ENL. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million. The group employs 37,000 people, including approximately 20,000 in North America. Operating in the scientific, legal, educational and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on internet delivery.
Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser. In 2006, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 37 fully staffed offices. As part of Reed Elsevier's Business division, Reed Exhibitions organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors.
Within the aerospace and defence portfolio of its Reed Exhibitions division this announcement will affect the following shows : DSEi, IDEX, ITEC, LAAD and TADTE.
DSEi (Defence Systems and Equipment International) is held every two years in London and is the world's fastest growing defence exhibition
IDEX is held every two years in Abu Dhabi and is the Middle East's premier defence exhibition and conference
ITEC is a training and simulation exhibition held every year in different European cities
LAAD (Latin American Aero and Defence) is held every two years in Rio de Janeiro
TADTE (Taipei Aerospace & Defence Technology Exhibition) is held every two years in Taiwan