GL events announces the acquisition of Brazilian company Tópico, a specialist in temporary structures
On 10 November 2026, the Lyon-based group announced the acquisition of the entire share capital of Tópico, a Brazilian manufacturer and rental company of temporary structures. The transaction is expected to give GL events a local industrial base to develop its activities in Brazil and, more broadly, in Latin America.
Tópico, €50 million in revenue backed by contracts of more than 60 months
Founded in 1979 and based in the State of São Paulo, Tópico specialises in temporary warehouses for industry. The company covers its entire business: it manufactures the structures, assembles them, maintains them and then dismantles them. GL events presents it as the leading company in the Brazilian market in this niche.
Tópico employs approximately 450 staff and manages a rental fleet of 1.57 million m². It generates annual revenue of €50 million, a figure that measures the target's activity.
The nature of its revenue is the main benefit of the transaction. Tópico's activity is based on long-term industrial contracts, lasting more than 60 months, which, according to the group, provides it with strong visibility.
This industrial customer base differs from GL events' core business, which is centred on events: services for companies, institutions and sport, trade show organisation and venue management.
The Lyon-based group intends to open up the large-scale events market in Brazil to Tópico, while the Brazilian company brings it a local industrial tool and expertise in long-duration structures.
The transaction has not yet been completed. Its completion remains subject to the satisfaction of the usual conditions precedent and is expected during January 2027. Tópico's current management team will remain at the head of the company after integration.
Brazil joins five locations in the temporary structures business
The manufacture and rental of temporary structures occupy a central place in the organisation of GL events. Olivier Ginon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the group, recalled that this business constitutes “a strategic pillar for GL events, already firmly established in France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Chile and the Middle East”.
The Tópico acquisition project is thus expected to strengthen GL events' temporary structures activities in Brazil. The executive outlined the rationale for the transaction: “With this transaction, we are consolidating our geographic network and strengthening our operational capacity internationally.”
The group, which has deployed its expertise in Latin America for several decades, expects synergies beyond Brazilian borders. Its presence in the global events market should allow Tópico to access new outlets in this sector, distinct from its current industrial customer base.
The transaction is part of a group of 6,500 employees, present in more than 20 countries and on five continents. GL events manages a network of 84 event venues and runs more than 200 proprietary trade shows.
On the Brazilian side, Gustavo Santos, Chairman of Tópico, highlighted the commercial dimension of the combination, which is expected to combine the expertise of local teams with the international scope of the group and open “possibilities to expand our activity to better support our clients in their markets”.
An acquisition announced after a 44.3% rise in third-quarter revenue
The announcement follows the publication, on 14 October 2026, of third-quarter revenue of €415.9 million, up 44.3% year on year (43.1% at constant exchange rates). The group had then raised its annual objectives and aims for growth at constant exchange rates and scope of more than 10% for the financial year.
GL events will publish its 2026 annual revenue on 21 January 2027, followed by its 2026 annual results on 4 March 2027.
