John Menzies sells distribution business to private equity firm

John Menzies, one of the biggest companies in Scotland, employing more than 30,000 staff, has sold its print media division Menzies Distribution to private equity business Endless.

With turnover of £1.1 billion, Menzies Distribution operates one of the largest overnight time critical logistics networks in the UK and Ireland, providing final mile delivery for over 100 million delivery units each year and serving customers in the press, travel and third-party logistics sectors.

While its core business is in strategic partnering with publishers to provide a sustainable route to market for their product, two years ago the company began a successful diversification strategy harnessing its unique UK and Ireland network capabilities to work with national parcel carriers and to develop an innovative solution for retailers.

Having started started in 1833 selling The Scotsman newspaper, it now employs approximately 3,700 people across 56 sites, throughout the UK and Ireland, the business now distributes over seven million newspapers and magazines each day.

Greg Michael, managing director of Menzies Distribution, said: “This is great news for Menzies Distribution. Whilst it’s business as usual, becoming an independent company enables us to be in control of our own destiny and reinvest to fulfil our ambitious growth and diversification plans for the business.

“The recent major UK-wide primary trunking contract to collect and deliver all daily and regional weekly newspapers printed by Reach plc is as an example of our successful diversification strategy in action.”

Aidan Robson, Partner at Endless added: “Menzies Distribution represents Endless’ largest investment to date and is a hugely exciting acquisition. We look forward to working closely with Greg and the rest of the management team to deliver our shared vision for this business.”