British parcels and logistics company Menzies Distribution (Menzies) has acquired freight firm Bibby Distribution from a family-owned group to expand its nationwide network.
The transaction “creates a major force in UK logistics, unlocking geographic potential and adding 38 new operating sites and a large, young fleet to Menzies’ well established and successful platform”, according to the company.
In synergising the networks and fleet, the scale of the combined business operations will amount to almost 5,000 employees, 4,000 vehicles and 100 depot locations.
Menzies Distribution, acquired by private equity firm Endless LLP in 2018, provides overnight deliveries of publications to retailers along with parcel and pallet deliveries to diverse customers. It delivers about 110 million items per year.
For its part, Bibby Distribution operates an end-to-end supply chain platform for customers in diverse industries, including consumer products and grocery retailing.
Menzies noted that: “In recent years, Bibby Distribution’s committed senior management team, supported by an engaged workforce [1,400-strong], has executed operational changes which have improved both its quality of earnings and underlying profitability.”
Menzies CEO Greg Michael said: “We are delighted to acquire Bibby Distribution. We believe that through combining the complementary business with Menzies, there are significant opportunities to grow both businesses through unlocking further geographical capability and expanding services to both sets of customers.
“For both our businesses’ customers, it will be very much business as usual and we look forward to supporting their growth in the coming years. Our ambitious plans for expansion underpin our absolute commitment to all our customers across all our markets. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the next chapter of our combined growth strategy.”
Richard Morson, CEO of Bibby Distribution, added: “Menzies is the ideal partner for taking [Bibby Distribution’s] achievements of the last 35 years to the next level. Our shared values of outstanding reliability, strong relationships and heritage underpin the compelling prospect of an enlarged group taking the lead on quality and innovation in UK logistics. Menzies’ smart approach to supply chain solutions for its customers and pioneering investment in electric vehicle technology show it is a truly future-focused business and we are very much looking forward to embarking on this new journey.
