What Rapid News Communications does

Rapid News Communications, operating as Rapid News Group, is a privately-held UK B2B media and events company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Chester (Pulford), England, with a secondary office in Norwich, a regional headquarters in Shanghai (via Globus Rapid News Co, Ltd.), and operations spanning the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia. The company organizes integrated portfolios across additive manufacturing (TCT 3Sixty, TCT Magazine Europe and North America, TCT Awards), medical technology (Med-Tech Innovation Expo, Med-Tech Innovation Awards, Med-Tech Insights), plastics (Interplas, British Plastics & Rubber), packaging (Packaging Europe, Touchpoints), pharmaceutical manufacturing (EPM), and broader manufacturing intelligence (ManufacturingIQ). Its underlying technology comprises a digital publishing and event management stack built on third-party SaaS platforms including Metro Publisher, Evessio, HubSpot, Campaign Monitor, WordPress, and a proprietary event registration and badging system, supported by an Event Hub platform that enables visitor registration, exhibitor selection, and session scheduling.

The business generates revenue through six primary streams: print advertising, digital advertising, event sponsorship and exhibition, subscriptions and publications, sponsored content and white papers, and email campaigns. Pricing is quote-based via signed Media Insertion Orders, with standard 30-day payment terms, a 10% advertising agent commission for prompt payers, premium pricing on guaranteed print positions subject to a 120-day cancellation window, and webinar orders subject to a 150-day cancellation window. The go-to-market is sales-led, supplemented by an event-driven acquisition engine where flagship exhibitions (TCT 3Sixty featuring ~200 exhibitors and ~100 speakers; Med-Tech Innovation Expo with 150+ exhibitors) serve as the primary touchpoint for advertisers, sponsors, and exhibitors. International expansion is executed via joint venture partnerships (VNU in Shanghai for TCT Asia; Mesago Messe Stuttgart and JTB for TCT Japan) and channel partners, while content and audience development is supported by partnerships with Medilink UK, CREATE Education Project, AMUK, PrintCity, DfAM Network, and Women in 3D Printing.

Name

Rapid News Communications

Legal name

Rapid News Publications Limited

Website

https://rapidnews.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rapid News Communications is a UK-based B2B media and events company that organizes flagship exhibitions (TCT 3Sixty, Med-Tech Innovation Expo, Interplas), publishes trade magazines, and runs industry awards serving additive manufacturing, medtech, plastics, packaging, and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Publishing and B2B Media Events

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)

Keywords

• Trade publishing services
• B2B media events
• Additive manufacturing media
• Industry exhibitions
• Trade show organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Print Advertising: Print advertisement placements in magazines and publications (Magazines, Show Guides, Buyers Guides, supplements). Invoiced upon publication of individual adverts. Special premium positions (front cover, outside back cover, inside front/back covers) command higher rates and carry 120-day cancellation terms.
2. Digital Advertising: Digital advertisement placements across websites, newsletters, emails, webinars, podcasts, apps, and digital editions. Invoiced in total on the Media Insertion Order signing date. Digital bookings may not be cancelled after campaign execution commences.
3. Event Sponsorship and Exhibition: Revenue from exhibitor booth rentals and sponsorship packages at owned events including TCT 3Sixty, Med-Tech Innovation Expo, Interplas, TCT Awards, Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards, and related conferences. Webinar orders subject to 150-day cancellation window.
4. Subscriptions and Publications: Revenue from print and digital magazine subscriptions, e-newsletters, and publications across brands including TCT Magazine, Med-Tech Insights, British Plastics & Rubber, EPM, Packaging Europe, and Touchpoints.
5. Sponsored Content and White Papers: Revenue from sponsored content, white papers, and registrants data (name, email, job title) collected through Publisher's registration platforms for sponsored content access. Buyer data use requires separate data protection agreement.
6. Email Campaigns: Charges based on the number of Emails sent by Publisher. Publisher does not guarantee the number of emails that will be opened by recipients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Rapid News Communications publishes B2B trade magazines and digital content for the plastics, medical technology, additive manufacturing/3D printing, and packaging industries, and organizes industry conferences, exhibitions, and awards across these verticals. The company operates brands such as Plastics News Europe, Packaging Europe, TCT Conference, Interplas, Compounding World Expo, and Medical Plastics News, monetizing through advertising, event sponsorship/exhibitor fees, delegate registration, and sponsored content.

Product overview

Rapid News Group operates as a multi-brand media and events company offering print media, digital publications, conferences, exhibitions, and awards across manufacturing technology sectors. Its portfolio spans two primary divisions: media brands and event brands. The media portfolio includes TCT Magazine (Europe & North America editions) covering additive manufacturing and 3D printing; Med-Tech Insights covering medical device manufacturing; British Plastics & Rubber serving the UK plastics industry; EPM (European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer); Packaging Europe covering pan-European packaging; and Touchpoints covering packaging design and consumer experience. The events division encompasses TCT 3Sixty — the UK's flagship additive manufacturing exhibition and conference — plus the co-located TCT Awards ceremony; Med-Tech Innovation Expo covering medical device design and manufacturing, alongside the Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards; Interplas for the UK plastics industry; and international TCT events in Japan and Asia. The company is structured as a group of subsidiaries including Rapid News Publications Ltd, Rapid Life Sciences Ltd, Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Interplas Events Ltd, Rapid Medtech Communications Ltd, Packaging Europe Ltd, and ManufacturingIQ Limited.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TCT (3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Intelligence): Flagship brand covering additive manufacturing and 3D printing events, awards, magazines, and digital media across Europe, North America, and Asia.
• TCT 3Sixty
• TCT Awards
• Med-Tech Innovation Expo
• Med-Tech Innovation Awards
• Interplas

Products and services

• Plastics News Europe Trade publication serving the European plastics manufacturing and processing industry, providing industry news, technical content, and supplier information via print editions and online channels.
• Medical Plastics News Digital trade publication serving medical device manufacturers and suppliers using plastics and additive manufacturing processes for healthcare applications.
• Packaging Europe Trade publication (print and digital) serving the European packaging manufacturing and converting industry.
• TCT Conference (and TCT Magazine) Annual international conference and associated publication dedicated to 3D printing and additive manufacturing, serving OEMs, system makers, materials suppliers, software vendors, and end users.
• Interplas UK triennial trade exhibition serving the plastics manufacturing industry with exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities for plastics machinery, materials, and processing technology suppliers.
• Compounding World Expo European trade exhibition co-located with the Plastics Recycling World Expo, serving suppliers and buyers in plastics compounding and additives.
• Plastics Recycling World Expo European trade exhibition dedicated to plastics recycling machinery, materials, and circular economy technologies, co-located with the Compounding World Expo.
• Industry Awards Programs Recognition and awards programs across plastics, packaging, and 3D printing industries providing entry-fee-based industry awards and sponsored ceremonies.

Quantifiable outcome

• TCT 3Sixty 2023: nearly 200 exhibitors, ~100 speakers, thousands of visitors, over 1,000 years of combined AM speaker expertise — all at a free conference
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers49 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Medilink UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Medilink UK is the national industry support organization for the life sciences sector. Rapid Medtech Communications Ltd operates the Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards in association with Med-Tech Innovation. The partnership brings regional Medilink award winners to a national stage and leverages Medilink's network of healthcare and medtech companies for Med-Tech Innovation Expo.
• CREATE Education ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCT Inspired Minds, powered by CREATE Education Project, provides Post-16 students (T-Level college students) access to 3D printing workshops and industry mentorship at TCT 3Sixty. The partnership aligns with both organizations' missions to inspire the next generation of engineers and technologists. Classroom sponsored by Autodesk. Over 100 secondary school students attended the 2022 edition.
• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME and Rapid News Publications Ltd renewed their partnership on the RAPID + TCT event in March 2022. The SME AM Awards and TCT Awards will jointly hold an event at RAPID + TCT 2026 (April 14, 2026, OMNI Boston Hotel). SME is the premier organization for manufacturing professionals, and TCT provides the AM intelligence and awards programming.
• UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)minorOthersRapid News Group is affiliated with UFI, the global association for the exhibition industry, providing credibility and network access within the global exhibitions community.
• AEO (Association of Event Organisers)minorOthersRapid News Publications Ltd is a member of the AEO, the UK association for event organisers, providing industry standards, networking, and advocacy.
• BPA WorldwideminorOthersBPA Worldwide audits and verifies media audience data. Rapid News Publications Ltd / TCT Group is a member of BPA Worldwide, lending credibility to audience and circulation claims for advertisers.
• Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMUK is the new trade association for the UK additive manufacturing sector. TCT Group powers the TCT Knowledge Bar at TCT 3Sixty with AMUK experts and promotes AMUK membership. AMUK also serves as a TCT Knowledge Partner for the conference programme, providing specialist sessions on adopting AM technologies and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM).
• PrintCitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrintCity is a TCT Knowledge Partner for the TCT 3Sixty conference programme, delivering specialist sessions focused on additive manufacturing adoption and design for AM. PrintCity is a UK-based additive manufacturing research and application center.
• DfAM NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfAM Network serves as a TCT Knowledge Partner for the TCT 3Sixty conference programme, delivering specialist sessions on Design for Additive Manufacturing. The network supports the design and engineering community in adopting AM technologies.
• NEC (National Exhibition Centre), BirminghamcoreOthersThe NEC is the primary venue for TCT 3Sixty, Med-Tech Innovation Expo, and related co-located shows (Subcon, The Engineer Live, Manufacturing Management Live, etc.). TCT 3Sixty takes place in Hall 1; Med-Tech Innovation Expo in Hall 2. The venue partnership enables the co-location strategy.
• VNU (VNU Exhibition Organizers), ShanghaicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVNU operates the Shanghai office (Globus Rapid News Co, Ltd.) and partners on TCT Asia and TCT China events, enabling Rapid News Group's presence in the Chinese manufacturing market. TCT Asia was described as a success with the Chinese manufacturing industry turning out in force for its sixth edition.
• Mesago Messe StuttgartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMesago Messe Stuttgart is a German exhibition organizer and partner for TCT Japan and other international event collaborations, enabling Rapid News Group's expansion into the Japanese market.
• JTB (Japan Travel Bureau)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJTB is a Japanese travel and tourism company that serves as a partner for Rapid News Group's event operations in the Japanese market.
• HP (Hewlett-Packard)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHP is the Gold Sponsor of TCT Awards 2023. HP's Multi Jet Fusion technology is showcased at TCT 3Sixty. HP's investment in additive manufacturing aligns with TCT's mission to promote AM adoption. HP Sales Manager noted TCT as a 'really important' show for their AM business.
• Medilink UK Regional NetworkscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedilink UK operates regional networks across the UK (East of England, Yorkshire, Midlands, North West, South West, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Regional winners automatically qualify for national Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards, creating a pipeline of high-quality award candidates.
• NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNIHR sponsors the Start-up Zone at Med-Tech Innovation Expo and co-sponsors the PITCH accelerator-style pitching session. NIHR also represents the government/health sector perspective in Med-Tech Innovation conference sessions.
• Innovate UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovate UK sponsors the Start-up Zone at Med-Tech Innovation Expo and the PITCH session for early-stage medtech companies. Innovate UK also participates in the conference programme.
• SBRI HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBRI Healthcare (Small Business Research Initiative) co-sponsors the Start-up Zone at Med-Tech Innovation Expo, supporting early-stage healthcare technology companies in showcasing their innovations.
• Sanjay Mortimer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sanjay Mortimer Foundation (SMF) collaborates with TCT on the Sanjay Mortimer Foundation Rising Star Award, presented at TCT Awards. The award recognizes a neurodivergent young person (age 18-25) who has potential to contribute towards the engineering industry, specifically in 3D printing. The foundation aims to help neurodiverse individuals recognize their strengths through engineering.
• Women in 3D PrintingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) partners with TCT on the TCT Women in 3D Printing Innovator Award at the TCT Awards. Wi3DP is a global network with over 30,000 members promoting and advocating for women in additive manufacturing. Kristin Mulherin, Wi3DP President, attended and spoke at the TCT Awards 2022.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AMI (Applied Market Information): AMI is a specialist B2B events and publications company focused on plastics, polymers and related materials — directly comparable to Interplas and the British Plastics & Rubber franchise.
• CFE Media (Smart Manufacturing): CFE Media publishes trade magazines (Control Engineering, Plant Engineering, Smart Manufacturing) and runs industry events serving manufacturing professionals — directly comparable B2B media and events operator in adjacent manufacturing verticals.
• Mark Allen Group: Mark Allen Group is a UK-based B2B media company publishing trade titles (including The Engineer) and operating events across manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors — closely comparable to Rapid News Group's UK-centric portfolio.
• Endeavor Business Media (formerly Gardner Business Media): Endeavor Business Media (which acquired Gardner Business Media) publishes Additive Manufacturing magazine and other B2B trade publications serving the same industrial manufacturing audience as TCT Magazine. Directly comparable product offering and reader demographic.
• Compounding World / Plastics Information Direct: Compounding World and Plastics Information Europe serve the plastics and polymer manufacturing industry with publications and conferences — a direct comparable to Rapid News Group's Interplas and British Plastics & Rubber franchise.

Broad incumbents

• Reed Exhibitions (RELX): Reed Exhibitions is a global trade show organiser and part of RELX, operating large-scale events across multiple manufacturing and industrial verticals. Broad incumbent with overlapping event formats and target advertisers.
• Informa Markets: Informa Markets is the world's largest exhibitions-led B2B media business, operating hundreds of trade shows and trade publications across manufacturing, healthcare and industrial verticals. Broad incumbent with significant portfolio overlap across plastics, medical and industrial events.
• William Reed Business Media: William Reed is a UK-headquartered B2B media and events business covering food, drink, retail and manufacturing. Comparable as a UK-based, privately held B2B media/events operator with similar scale and audience-development model.

Others

• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers): SME is the premier US manufacturing professional association and co-produces RAPID + TCT with Rapid News Publications Ltd. While a partner rather than competitor, SME's media, events and member services represent an adjacent ecosystem model for engaging manufacturing audiences.

Emerging players

• Smithers (Smithers Information): Smithers provides B2B conferences, publications and market research in materials, packaging and industrial manufacturing — partial overlap with Rapid News Group's packaging and plastics verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rapidnewsgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/tctmagazine
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheTCTGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-tct-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/TheTCTGroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rapid News Communications