Menzies Distribution has completed its third acquisition in less than a year by snapping up Aberdeen-based Thistle Couriers for an undisclosed amount.
Menzies, which is one of the UK’s main newspaper and magazine distributors, said the deal was part of its plans to expand its e-commerce offering in the UK parcel market.
The deal follows the purchase by Menzies of Inverness-based AJG Parcels and courier firm Oban Express last year. It has also struck supply-chain deals with e-commerce firms B2C Europe and wnDirect.
Edinburgh-based Menzies Distribution, which is known for its overnight deliveries for print media publishers, says it plans to expand in the logistics market through better use of its existing depots, vehicles and drivers during daylight hours.
Formed in 1998, Thistle Couriers has 45 employees and a fleet of more than 25 vehicles, covering Aberdeen city and the wider Grampian region. It is owned by Anabela and Ewan Ferguson.
Menzies believes that acquiring Thistle will provide it with additional reach into Scotland’s hard-to-reach areas.
Mark Cassie, managing director of Menzies Distribution, said: “The purchase of Thistle Couriers strengthens the infrastructure we’ve built with the acquisitions of AJG and Oban Express, and adds a time-critical, same-day service to our portfolio.
“This latest acquisition underlines our appeal to companies seeking cost-efficient deliveries to the North of Scotland. We believe that we can offer a compelling partnership proposition to the UK’s major parcel carriers.”
Menzies Distribution, part of the John Menzies Group which includes an aviation division, has a fleet of 1,900 vehicles, a workforce of 3,500 and distributes around the UK. Its main competitor south of the border for newspaper and magazine deliveries is Smiths News.
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