Menzies distribution sale talks continuing

A number of potential buyers have expressed interest in John Menzies’ newspaper and magazine distribution arm but the sale process is taking longer than it expected, the company said yesterday.

The Edinburgh-headquartered business said it remains hopeful that it will be able to strike a successful deal for the business. Menzies revived plans to sell the division after talks with parcels group DX to merge its operation with Men- zies Distribution were terminated last year.

In an update ahead of its annual general meeting yesterday, the firm said that the positive start to the year highlighted in March has continued and the group is trading ahead of last year. At its Menzies Aviation division, it said trading has generally been positive with strong cargo volumes. In North America, the firm has won a number of fuelling contracts and in Europe the group has started operations in Dublin for IAG owned airlines and Icelandair.