AXIO Data Group today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell JOC Group to IHS Inc., the leading global source of critical information and insight. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.
JOC Group is the authoritative provider of business intelligence, data and events for container shipping and logistics professionals worldwide. Its products include PIERS, the most comprehensive database of US seaborne import and export activity in the world, providing data and information services to thousands of subscribers globally; The Journal of Commerce and JOC.com, the leading information and marketing services provider for the US domestic and international containerised cargo community; and TPM, the must-attend event for the global container shipping community with conferences in North America and Asia.
Henry Elkington, CEO of AXIO commented, “This is the first major realisation from the AXIO portfolio, and it is a great example of our strategy of building and then realising value in our businesses. With efficiency improvements to its data processing infrastructure, launching an e-commerce channel, new data visualisation services, launching unique port productivity benchmarking data, implementing a web-first publishing strategy, and the expansion of the world-class conference series, we believe JOC Group has substantially improved under AXIO’s ownership.”
“We will continue to drive performance in our businesses by focussing on markets where we can lead, investing for growth, and driving efficiency. In parallel we will develop relationships with potential strategic acquirers.”
Gavin Carter, CEO of JOC Group said, “We have developed our business on many fronts over the last few years, and I am even more excited about the next stage of JOC Group’s development. IHS has a rich history of providing information and insights to the markets which they serve. JOC Group’s integration into IHS maritime and trade will allow us to provide our customers with an even richer array of information and analytics to assist them in achieving their business objectives. We thank AXIO for their support and look forward to the opportunity to become part of the IHS team.”
The sale is expected to close before the end of 2014 pending regulatory approval.
JOC Group Inc. is the authoritative provider of business intelligence, data and events covering the global container shipping and logistics market. Through its PIERS and JOC products – online, print and events – JOC Group Inc. provides the access, intelligence, insight and support which enable customers to establish and maintain critical customer connections and make informed decisions to compete effectively in the global marketplace. JOC.com is the leading information portal providing a mix of editorially created content and pertinent visualized data combining over 200 different data sets. JOC Group’s leading industry events include TPM (held annually in Long Beach, CA), TPM Asia (held annually in Shenzhen, China) and JOC Inland Distribution. Through PIERS, the world’s most comprehensive database of US waterborne trade, international businesses from transportation, chemical, energy and finance sectors analyse unique intelligence to inform critical business decisions. www.joc.com/group/joc-group
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs more than 8,000 people in 31 countries around the world. www.ihs.com
The AXIO Data Group Ltd. AXIO operates a portfolio of market-leading information businesses and is owned by funds managed by Electra Partners LLP. Electra Partners is an independent private equity fund manager with more than 30 years’ experience. As of March 31, 2014, the firm had funds valued at over £1.5 billion under its management. www.axiogroup.net www.electrapartners.com