The company dates back to 1939, when the Business Blue-Book of South Africa was first published. Over the next 70 years, several divisions were formed, including the Specifile Division in 1956, producing the Specifile Building Library, and the Healthcare Division, which was born with the launch of the Journal of Modern Medicine in 1976. The first Review publications were launched in 1974, as was the first ‘Buyers’ Guide’.

In 1979, The Communications Group (TCG) formed as the holding company for National Publishing; Specifile; and Pulse Publications, and also launched MediMail; The Buyers’ Guide; Enviroteach; Export Compendium; Modern Pharmacy; and FEM Industrial Buyer between 1985 and 1995.

In 1996, International Holding Services (IHS) acquired TCG and renamed the business IHS SA. In the same year, it acquired Graphix Publications, and over the next 10 years it launched a total of 13 new publications, six being digital products.

In December 2009, Greg Hughes, Divisional Executive Officer at IHS SA, acquired 100% of the company’s share capital. It is currently undergoing a name change, and will soon be known as Infixion Media (Infixion means ‘to secure something firmly in the mind’).

This is good for business as the company will now be 100% South African owned, giving it decision-making independence and a focused management team with a heightened understanding of local business needs; it will be made up of cost-effective and stream-lined structures with operational flexibility and nimbleness; will make use of an accelerated new media strategy; and will maintain the highest possible business ethics and standards.

For more information, visit www.infixion.co.za from 10 February, once the name change is effective.